Mississippi Burning (1)

In chapter 4 part 1, the USS Mississippi engages a British squadron. I intend to do a fuller post to explore the problems with this battle, but in the meantime I have a request for your assistance. I simply can't make head or tail of what's going on: can you help?

The brief introductory explanation to the battle seems to make things clear enough.

the cruise was quiet until mid-April, Mississippi had fallen into company with another of the initial group of raiders... The two raiders cruised under stormy skies in the Western Atlantic for several days... until they came up on the big 2,700-ton merchant steamer SS Baltic... . The three captains were considering detaching Mississippi to continue on her cruise, while the two fast ships ran for the U.S. coast, when a lookout’s sharp eye rendered the discussion moot.

The three American ships had crossed paths with an equally singular British trio of steamers

We know where the Baltic is going: as it is 'outbound from Le Havre under War Department charter,' it must be heading from east to west. It is most likely to be heading to New York, the Union's largest port of entry, but given the proximity of the British base at Halifax it may also be heading to the Delaware or Chesapeake.

We also know where the British are going:

The steam liner and the corvette had come out... to convoy Terror from Bermuda... the voyage north to Nova Scotia... Edgar got Terror to Halifax

This is a fairly simple northwards voyage, as illustrated on the map.

The problem comes when we overlay the two routes, and try and reconcile them with the descrption of the battle itself.

The battle is described as follows:

Ellison signaled to Smith to engage the enemy while Cuyler covered Baltic’s flight to the west... The two fast Americans ran west, while Mississippi, paddles churning, steamed east toward the British ships; Racoon turned to the south, to try and get around Mississippi and pursue the other two steamers...

Mississippi, which outweighed Racoon substantially but was much slower, began firing her 10 inch pivots and was actually able to cross the corvette’s bow before Edgar could disentangle from Terror and get into action; a 10-inch shell burst forward in Racoon, leaving shattered men strewn across her decks, and Chamberlain gave up trying to avoid the American. The British captain slewed his own ship around, and began firing back as the range closed.

If the Mississippi runs east to attack the British, their original starting position must be west of the British. This also fits with the information we're given about the Baltic's course.

At the same time, the British can either be north, south or level with the Union forces. However, if the British are north of the Union, it would make no sense for Racoon to turn south 'to try and get around Mississippi'. A run south would put her closer to Mississippi, whereas running north would maintain or increase the distance between the two ships.

However, if the British are to the south, the story makes even less sense. If the British are already to the south, and the Racoon is running south and is faster than the Mississippi, there is no physical way for the Mississippi to cross Racoon's bow.

Even with the British exactly horizontal with the Union, it stretches the suspension of disbelief that Racoon could be outpaced. It seems, then, that TFSmith did in fact intend the British to be north of the Union force, which would allow the Mississippi to run east and cut Racoon off. However, consider that earlier map again. The British are heading north, and are north of the Union. The Union are heading west, and are west of the British. Doesn't that mean they've missed one another?

It may be that there's a simple explanation that I'm missing, or it could be that this is just another case of TFSmith wanting to hand the British out a beating and not being too concerned about the details as he does so. If you think you know what's going on, though, let us know in the comments below.