ABSTRACT
Commander. He led a small crew in a steam launch on a daring night attack on the Confederate States Navy ironclad Albemarle, at Plymouth, North Carolina, during the American Civil War. Despite heavy small-arms fire during his approach along the Roanoke River on the night of 27 August 1864, he penetrated a protecting floating boom, positioned the launch and a spar torpedo alongside Albemarle, and pulled the firing lanyard. The explosion blew Cushing and his crew into the water, and the ironclad sank. Only Cushing and one seaman survived drowning or capture by swimming away from the scene while under continuous small-arms fire. With the elimination of the Confederate ironclad, Union Army forces were able to retake Plymouth, a strategically important city. Because of his bravery and combat success he became a national celebrity and was given a substantial cash award.
