Benjamin Lloyd

The Failed Naval Raid That Earned a Medal of Honor

Benjamin Lloyd was born in 1839 in Liverpool, England. He became a United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient whose courage during a dangerous mission against the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle distinguished him in the American Civil War. Serving aboard USS Wyalusing, Lloyd volunteered for an operation on the Roanoke River in North Carolina on May 25, 1864. Although the mission failed to destroy its target, his bravery and assistance in rescuing fellow sailors earned him the nation's highest military decoration for valor.

Lloyd entered United States naval service during the Civil War, with his military record accredited to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served aboard USS Wyalusing as a Coal Heaver, an enlisted position associated with supplying fuel to the boilers of steam-powered warships. His duties supported the operation of the ship's engines and its ability to conduct naval missions.

USS Wyalusing was a side-wheel gunboat commissioned in February 1864. Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, the vessel operated in the coastal waters and rivers of North Carolina, where Union naval forces attempted to restrict Confederate transportation and maintain control of strategically important waterways.

By the spring of 1864, the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle had become a serious threat to Union naval operations around Plymouth and the Roanoke River. On April 19, the ironclad sank USS Southfield and helped Confederate forces regain control of Plymouth.

On May 5, USS Wyalusing joined other Union gunboats in an engagement against Albemarle in Albemarle Sound. Although Union vessels attacked the Confederate warship, they failed to destroy it. The ironclad withdrew up the Roanoke River, where it remained a threat to Federal operations.

Union naval commanders continued searching for a way to eliminate Albemarle. A group of five volunteers from USS Wyalusing developed a daring plan to attack the ironclad using explosive devices.

On May 25, 1864, Benjamin Lloyd volunteered to participate in the dangerous expedition.

The small party intended to approach the Confederate vessel from the river, transport two torpedoes across swampy ground, and position the explosives against the ironclad's hull. During the Civil War, the term torpedo commonly referred to an explosive mine rather than a modern self-propelled naval weapon.

The volunteers traveled by small boat along the Middle River, carrying two explosive devices containing approximately one hundred pounds of powder each. They then transported the heavy equipment across the swamp separating the Middle River from the Roanoke River.

Lloyd helped move the explosives through the difficult terrain. As the expedition proceeded, he served as the boatkeeper, maintaining the small craft needed for the party's withdrawal.

Other members of the expedition entered the Roanoke River to move the explosive devices toward Albemarle. Their plan required placing the torpedoes against the Confederate ironclad before detonating them.

However, Confederate sentries discovered the operation before the explosives could be positioned successfully.

The Union volunteers were forced to abandon their attack. Enemy musket fire increased the danger as members of the party attempted to escape. The sailors withdrew without leaving evidence that would reveal the details of their intended attack.

Lloyd played an important role in helping his fellow volunteers escape. Serving as boatkeeper, he assisted other members of the expedition in returning safely after their plan had been discovered.

The withdrawal was physically demanding. Lloyd endured prolonged exposure to rain and the difficult swamp environment before reaching the safety of a Union vessel and returning to USS Wyalusing.

Although the expedition did not destroy CSS Albemarle, Lloyd and his companions demonstrated remarkable courage by volunteering for an operation that placed them close to Confederate forces in hostile territory.

Their willingness to undertake the dangerous mission and their skill in escaping detection after its failure received official recognition.

On December 31, 1864, Benjamin Lloyd's heroism was recognized under Navy General Order No. 45, which documented his Medal of Honor award.

The decoration acknowledged his voluntary participation in the attempt to destroy Albemarle, his assistance in transporting the explosives, and his efforts to rescue members of the expedition after the operation was compromised.

Lloyd was one of five USS Wyalusing sailors who received the Medal of Honor for their participation in the mission.

The Confederate ironclad remained operational after the unsuccessful May expedition. It was eventually destroyed during a separate Union naval operation led by Lieutenant William B. Cushing on the night of October 27–28, 1864.

Lloyd's own service was distinguished by the earlier attempt, which demonstrated the extraordinary risks undertaken by Union sailors in their efforts to overcome Confederate naval defenses.

His highest recorded naval rank was Fireman Second Class, reflecting his service in the engineering department of the steam-powered Navy.

Benjamin Lloyd's place in American military history rests on his actions along the Roanoke River. As a Coal Heaver aboard USS Wyalusing, he volunteered for a hazardous mission, helped carry explosives through difficult swamp terrain, and assisted his fellow sailors when the operation failed.

His Medal of Honor stands as a lasting recognition of the courage, endurance, and devotion to duty he demonstrated during the American Civil War.