The concept of the "Witchcraft Puppet Mission" is based on the idea of using puppets as a tool to combat the fear and stereotypes associated with witchcraft. This mission aims to educate and raise awareness about witchcraft, promoting tolerance and understanding. The use of puppets in this mission serves multiple purposes. Firstly, puppets are engaging and entertaining, making them an effective tool for capturing the attention and interest of the audience. By using puppets as a medium, the mission is able to deliver its message in a creative and non-threatening way. Through the puppet shows, the mission seeks to debunk the negative myths and stereotypes surrounding witchcraft.
1. Water Witch. The third USS Water Witch was a wooden-hulled, sidewheel gunboat in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. (Submitted on March 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
This expedition -- 15 officers and 117 men, in 7 boats -- arrived at Beaulieu Battery via Skidaway Narrows late on June 1st, only to find that Water Witch was cruising in St. When the Civil War broke out, she was initially assigned to blockading service with the Gulf Blockading Squadron, but eventually was transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Through the puppet shows, the mission seeks to debunk the negative myths and stereotypes surrounding witchcraft. It aims to portray witches as individuals with unique abilities and skills, rather than as evil and malicious figures. By humanizing witches, the mission hopes to challenge the prevailing negative attitudes towards witchcraft and foster a more inclusive and accepting society.
U S Navy ship Water Witch
The USS Water Witch was a sidewheel steam gunboat (150’ in length; 378 tons). Commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1851, she spent her early years conducting surveys in South America. When the Civil War broke out, she was initially assigned to blockading service with the Gulf Blockading Squadron, but eventually was transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She spent some time in the Florida theatre, participating in forays up the St. Johns River, and then served on the blockade of the Georgia coast.
In May 1864, Flag Officer William Hunter, commander of the C.S. Navy Savannah River Squadron, issued orders to First Lt. Thomas Pelot to assemble a raiding force to capture a Union gunboat stationed at the mouth of the Little Ogeechee River. On 31 May, Pelot set out with a force of 117 men and 14 officers recruited from various ships in the squadron. When they arrived at Beaulieu Battery late that evening, they found that the Water Witch, their target, had weighed anchor to take up station in St. Catherine’s Sound, to the south. Pelot did not let this dissuade him. He sent out scouts to scan the coast for the enemy gunboat, which returned to the station in Ossabaw Sound off the Little Ogeechee River the morning of 1 June. Having located their target, the CSN raiding party set out late in the evening of 2 June. They were guided by Moses Dallas, a free black pilot who had rendered outstanding service to the Confederate Navy for over two years. His knowledge of the local waters on the southeast Georgia coast was unmatched.
The Water Witch was commanded by Lt. Commander Austin Pendergrast. In one of those all-too-common twists of fate one encounters in war, Pendergrast and Pelot were classmates in the U.S. Naval academy and were shipmates as Midshipmen on the USS Independence. The night of 2 June was foggy and rainy. Pendergrast had set a deck watch to guard against a raid; the officer of the deck that night was Acting Master’s Mate Eugene Parsons. He spotted some of the approaching CSN boats and hailed them. At first the Confederates replied “Contraband,” but after repeated hails Pelot yelled “Rebels, d____ you!” Confederate seamen and officers swarmed onto the deck. Parsons spun the ship’s battle rattle as a warning, but apparently for too short a time to sound the alarm. The officers and crew of the Water Witch were awakened by the sound of gunfire and shouting on deck. The Union gunboat’s officers put up a gallant defense, but oddly, most of the crew cowered below decks, along with the engineering division. Lt. Pelot was killed in the initial rush onto the ship, and command of the CSN raiders then went to Lt. Joseph Price. Their guide, Moses Dallas, was also killed by a pistol shot from Parsons in the initial rush on the Union ship.
The Union men eventually succumbed to wounds and the overwhelming numbers of the CSN raiders, the battle for the ship lasting about 20 minutes. One of the few Union bluejackets who did attempt to help the officers defend the ship was Landsman Jeremiah Sills, an African American seaman who is said to have stationed himself at the doorway to the ship’s arms locker and kept coming out with loaded pistols which he fired at the CSN raiders. The Confederates suffered 6 dead and 17 wounded, the Union 2 dead and 14 wounded. Pendergrast was wounded but survived. He was subsequently court-martialed and found guilty of “culpable inefficiency in the discharge of duty.” The victorious Confederates steamed up the Vernon River with the ship, towards Savannah, hoping to convert her to a C.S. Navy gunboat. They never had the chance to do this and the ship was sunk at her moorings in December 1864 as Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and his men closed in on Savannah.
Today, you can board and tour a full-size replica of the USS/CSS Water Witch at the Port Columbus National Museum of Civil War Naval History in Columbus, Georgia.
| USS/CSS Water Witch at the Port Columbus Civil War Naval Museum. Author's photo. |
The Water Witch was commanded by Lt. Commander Austin Pendergrast. In one of those all-too-common twists of fate one encounters in war, Pendergrast and Pelot were classmates in the U.S. Naval academy and were shipmates as Midshipmen on the USS Independence. The night of 2 June was foggy and rainy. Pendergrast had set a deck watch to guard against a raid; the officer of the deck that night was Acting Master’s Mate Eugene Parsons. He spotted some of the approaching CSN boats and hailed them. At first the Confederates replied “Contraband,” but after repeated hails Pelot yelled “Rebels, d____ you!” Confederate seamen and officers swarmed onto the deck. Parsons spun the ship’s battle rattle as a warning, but apparently for too short a time to sound the alarm. The officers and crew of the Water Witch were awakened by the sound of gunfire and shouting on deck. The Union gunboat’s officers put up a gallant defense, but oddly, most of the crew cowered below decks, along with the engineering division. Lt. Pelot was killed in the initial rush onto the ship, and command of the CSN raiders then went to Lt. Joseph Price. Their guide, Moses Dallas, was also killed by a pistol shot from Parsons in the initial rush on the Union ship.
In addition to the puppet shows, the mission also incorporates educational workshops and discussions. These platforms provide an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of knowledge, allowing participants to ask questions and learn more about witchcraft. By facilitating conversations on this topic, the mission aims to dispel fears and misconceptions, and instead promote a balanced understanding of witchcraft. Overall, the "Witchcraft Puppet Mission" seeks to create a more open and tolerant society by using puppets as a medium to educate and challenge stereotypes surrounding witchcraft. Through engaging puppet shows, educational workshops, and discussions, the mission aims to promote understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of witchcraft as a cultural practice and belief system..
Reviews for "Decoding the Symbolism of Witchcraft Puppetry and its Sacred Mission"
1. John - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Witchcraft puppet mission" at all. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, and the characters lacked depth. The dialogue was also extremely cheesy and cringe-worthy. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Witchcraft puppet mission" was a complete waste of time. The special effects were laughably bad, and the acting was wooden and unconvincing. The story was predictable and offered nothing new or unique. I wouldn't recommend watching this film to anyone.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witchcraft puppet mission," but it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot was convoluted. The ending was unsatisfying and left many loose ends. The film seemed to lack a clear direction and failed to engage me throughout.
4. Emily - 2 stars - "Witchcraft puppet mission" was a forgettable and unremarkable film. The plot was muddled and filled with unnecessary subplots. The dialogue was unimaginative, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the storytelling and found myself losing interest halfway through the movie.
5. Michael - 1 star - "Witchcraft puppet mission" was a disaster from start to finish. The special effects were cheap and poorly executed, making it difficult to take the film seriously. The acting was cringe-worthy, and the script lacked originality. I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the whole movie and couldn't wait for it to be over. Save your time and skip this one.