James Funk
James Funk was a 19th-century New York City pilot boat built in 1862 at Greenpoint, Brooklyn for a company of New York Pilots. She was built for speed. She was assigned the "Number 22," which was displayed on her mainsail. The "James Funk" was captured and burned by the Confederate raiding steamer CSS Tallahassee during the American Civil War. The "Charlotte Webb" was built in 1865 to take the place of the "James Funk" that was destroyed. Construction and service. The "James Funk No. 22," was launched in 1862 from Greenpoint, Brooklyn. She was registered with the  Record of American and Foreign Shipping from 1883–1984 as "James Funk." Her master was Captain A. C. Malcolm; her owners were a company of New York Pilots, belonging to the port of New York. She was 81 feet in length, her draft was 9 feet, she weighed 122-tons, and built for speed. On October 16, 1863, when the weather was dark and thick, the pilot-boat "James Funk" collided with the United States supply steamer "Union," near Sandy Hook. The pilot-boat was in tow and no ship light was on. She started to sink and her crew escaped  in yawls. It was estimated that she was worth between $12,000 to $15,000. She was raised and then return to port. Civil War. End of service. On August 11, 1864, during the American Civil War, the pilot-boat "James Funk, No. 22," was 60 miles southeast of Sandy Hook, when the Confederate raiding cruiser the "Tallahassee" approached disguised with an American ensign flying at the masthead. Pilot William Smith, of the pilot-boat took a yawl to board the "Tallahassee" thinking she was in need of a pilot. Instead, she was captured by the Confederate colonel, John Taylor  Wood, who took control of the "James Funk". His objective was to secure a pilot who could take the "Tallahassee" into Long Island Sound. Twenty of the "Tallahassee's" crew came onboard the pilot-boat and the crew of the "James Funk" were transferred to the "Tallahassee". The "James Funk" was turned into a tender and a decoy for the "Tallahassee". Captain Wood used the pilot-boat to capture and burn other schooners and brigs, including the "A. M. Lee". He then burned the "James Funk," which he later regretted. The same day, the "Tallahassee" captured and burned the pilot -boat "William Bell", No. 24, "Adriatic" and several other boats. The Confederates then sailed the "Tallahassee" to Fire Island, where the crew and passengers went ashore. Robert Yates, captain of the pilot-boat provided his account of the capture of the "James Funk," after he arrived safely back to his home in New York City. In the book, "From Sandy Hook to 62", Charles Edward Russell, describes the chase of the "Tallahassee" cruiser against the "James Funk" and "William Bell". The pilot boat "Charlotte Webb" was built by Eckford Webb in May 1865 at the Webb & Bell shipyard in Greenpoint , Brooklyn, to take the place of the "James Funk," No. 22, that was captured and burned by the Confederate raiding steamer "Tallahassee".