Some weeks later he steamed into New River Inlet, with the object of capturing Jacksonville and destroying the salt works.

He was successful, secured three vessels and drove the enemy from two pieces of artillery with which they were firing on him at short range.

All was going well, but while still close to the abandoned works Cushing's little steamer ran aground, and, despite every effort, he could not work her free.
He saw it was useless to try to get the boat off.

He therefore took everything out of her, excepting the pivot gun and ammunition, and, placing them on board one of the captured schooners, ordered the crew to leave.

Knowing the enemy would soon return in overwhelming numbers, he asked for six volunteers to stay with him and fight with the single gun to the last.