There is an excellent article in this months "Civil War Times" [magzine] entitled, 'The Most Extraordinary Feat of the War' by A.W.R. Hawkins III describing the battle at Sabine Pass. It includes (front & back) views of the special medal struck for soldiers of Sabine Pass.

As a child I remember my Dad taking me down to Sabine Pass to go "crabbing" off the jetty and pointing out a pile of rusting metal that he said was the boiler of the USS Clifton. I also remember the rocker arm [a large, diamond shape cast iron device that connected the steam engine to the side wheel drive shaft] of the Clifton was, at one time, mounted on a monument base in Beaumont. I think it overlooked the Neches River.

It's been well over 60 years since I saw the old boiler and more than 50 years since I remember seeing the rocker arm, also referred to as the "walking arm." I assume the old boiler and engine remains have corroded away and possibly the rocker arm has fallen victim to urban renewel. Does anyone else with gray hair remember either of these remains?