Killed while commanding the U.S.S. Monitor Tecumseh during the Union attack at Mobile Bay!

Document Signed

(1813-64) Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he was the son of a U.S. Naval Storekeeper, and the brother of Rear Admiral Thomas T. Craven. Tunis attended Columbia College in New York City, and was then appointed as an acting midshipman, and was warranted on November 18, 1831. Promoted to passed midshipman, in September 1835, he was on duty with the U.S. Coastal Survey until 1843. He was promoted to rank of lieutenant in September 1841, and served on the "U.S.S. Dale," a sloop of war, in May 1846, during the Mexican War. In 1847, he was ordered to take command of the schooner, "Libertad," and was on duty patrolling the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico to intercept Mexican ships trying to bring men and supplies to the Mexican army in that territory. In the Bombardment of Punta Sombreto, on October 31, 1847, Craven engaged in a gun duel with a Mexican shore battery guarding the anchorage of Mulege. He then went back on duty with the U.S. Coast Survey until 1859, in command of the steamer, "U.S.S. Corwin," with the exception of one year (1850) spent at the Naval Observatory. He sailed in the "Varina" while in command of the "Atrato Expedition" the purpose of which was to find a ship route through the "Isthmus of Darien" (now called Panama) by way of the Atrato River. In 1859, he was given command of the screw steamer, "U.S.S. Mohawk," in which he captured two Slave ships. Lieutenant Craven saved the crew of the Spanish ship "Bella," which was sinking, in 1860, and was given a gold medal and commendation by Queen Isabella II. In 1861, Cravin was ordered to take command of the screw steamer, "U.S.S. Crusader," and shortly afterwards Craven was promoted to rank of commander. Then given command of the sloop of war, "U.S.S. Tuscarora," he went to England with orders to report to U.S. Minister Charles Francis Adams, and while in Southampton, the Confederate steamer, "Nashville" came into port. After the "C.S.S. Nashville," a side paddle wheel steamer, departed, Craven had to wait 24 hours before he could follow the Confederate ship. After giving up pursuit of the "Nashville," he was sent to the Mediterranean, where he succeeded in following the steamer and commerce raider, "C.S.S. Sumter," so closely that her officers and crew abandoned her at Gibraltar. The "U.S.S. Tuscarora" was then ordered home in 1863, and Commander Craven was detached and given command of the "U.S.S. Tecumseh," a monitor class warship, then being built at Jersey City, N.J., by Secor and Company. Commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on April 19, 1864, the "Tecumseh," left from New York, and temporarily joined the "North Atlantic Blockading Squadron," off Virginia, and early in May she was assigned to the "James River Flotilla," and participated in very heavy fighting against Confederate breastworks that had been constructed at Hewlett's Farm, and with Confederate ironclads near Dutch Gap that put the "Tecumseh" in a wild crossfire. Not being struck by any of the Confederate shells, Craven had turned back the Confederate threat to General U.S. Grant's supply line. On July 5, 1864, the "Tecumseh" got underway and resumed her voyage to join Admiral David G. Farragut's fleet for what would become the attack on Mobile Bay. Commander Tunis Augustus Macdonough Craven, and the "Tecumseh" was at the head of the monitor column during the August 5th attack.

Admiral David G. Farragut wrote in his Battle Report:

"The attacking fleet steamed steadily up the main ship channel, the "Tecumseh" firing the first shot at forty-seven minutes past six o'clock. At six minutes past seven the fort opened on us, and was replied to by a gun from the "U.S.S. Brooklyn," and immediately after the action became general. It was soon apparent that there was some difficulty ahead. The "Brooklyn," for some cause which I did not then clearly understand, but which has since been explained by Captain Alden in his report, arrested the advance of the whole fleet, while at the same time the guns of the fort were playing with great effect upon that vessel and the "Hartford." A moment after I saw the "Tecumseh," struck by a torpedo, disappear almost instantaneously beneath the waves, carrying with her her gallant commander and nearly all her crew."

Craven and the pilot were in the conning tower directly over the turret, where there was no escape except through a narrow opening. Upon reaching this, Commander Craven turned to the pilot and said, "You first, sir." The pilot, John Collins, escaped, and, as he related, the vessel sank under him, carrying her crew of one hundred and sixteen in all, save himself and the few that were able to escape through the port holes. A buoy in Mobile Bay marks the spot where the Tecumseh lies.

Document Signed: 6 1/4 x 2 1/2, two sided imprinted check, filled out in ink. United States Navy Yard, New York, Nov. 1st, 1845. Atlantic Bank, Brooklyn. Pay to Lieut. Thomas T. Craven or T.A.M. Craven, One hundred & one, 71/100 Dollars, $101.71, signed by Wm. Sinclair. Illustration of a dog at the upper left. Reverse side: $101.71/100. Brooklyn, Nov. 1st, 1845. Received from William Sinclair, Purser U.S. Navy, the sum of One hundred & one, 71/100 Dollars, on account of "Pay," &c. Signed, T. Aug. M. Craven. Two typical cut cancellations. Light age toning and wear. Scarce. Very desirable Union Civil War naval hero!