however, the double-ender Otsego struck two torpedoes near Jamesville, North Carolina, and sank. Beta—still called Bazely in Macomb's report—headed for Otsego to lend assistance, but herself struck a torpedo (mine) whose explosion killed two men and caused the tug to sink. The surviving ships of the expedition continued upstream, but the necessity of dragging for torpedoes (mines) slowed their progress, a delay that allowed the Southerners to reinforce Rainbow Bluff. Since Union troops—who were scheduled to cooperate with the gunboats—did not arrive to support the attack, Macomb decided on December 20 to withdraw his ships. They arrived back at Jamesville on Christmas Day and carried out the task of destroying Beta—which they still called Bazely—lest she fall into Confederate hands. References Ships of the Union Navy Steamships of the United States Navy Tugs of the United States Navy Patrol vessels of the United States Navy American Civil War patrol vessels of the United States Ships built in Gloucester City, New Jersey 1863 ships Shipwrecks of the American Civil War Ships sunk by mines Shipwrecks in rivers Maritime incidents in December 1864