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 A CRUISE ON THE SASSACUS. 
 By Edgar Holden. 
 
 Harper's 
 Nov. 1873. 
 
Library of 
 The University of North Carolina 
 
 COLLECTION OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINIANA 
 
 ENDOWED BY 
 
 JOHN SPRUNT HILL 
 
 of the Class of 1889 
 
 Cf^To.lS- \\ 1^1 
 
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 HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. .^JJ3 
 
 A CRUISE ON THE "SASSACUS." 
 
 THE COLLISION. 
 
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 THE most inexplicable interruption of plan 
 and changes of destination attended the 
 outset of the career of the United States steamer 
 
 S . An instance of this, and the only one 
 
 of sufficient interest to merit record, resulted in 
 her participation in a week of events most inter- 
 esting and exciting. 
 
 These have been jotted down, for though 
 three years of blockade may have rendered them 
 not unusual, yet their minutiae seem rarely to 
 find access to the public eye. 
 
 On the morning of the 3d of December, 'G3, 
 
 the S ■ left Washington, bound for New 
 
 Orleans, having an iron-clad in tow. Fare- 
 wells had been spoken, and the departure was 
 looked upon as the beginning of a long cruise. 
 There were the usual regrets and longing glances 
 cast backward toward the receding city; and 
 neither the beauty of the weather nor a bracing, 
 invigorating breeze, could wholly dispel anxiety 
 as to the uncertain future. Toward evening the 
 clouds began to gather, and an increasing misti- 
 ness of the atmosphere gave indications of a 
 storm. When darkness settled down, however, 
 it had become clearer, and the full moon gave a 
 dim outline to shore and water, distinct enough 
 to preclude the necessity for anchoring. We 
 were sitting after supper canvassing our pros- 
 pects, and arguing upon various subjects — among 
 other things, what a fine time we should have 
 if, by accident, we should run ashore and the 
 iron-clad run into us. 
 
 Various experiences were given to show the 
 ease with which such a monster could go com- 
 pletely through a wooden ship, the great mo- 
 mentum, etc., and an argument was even start- 
 ed as to how far she would probably get into the 
 ward-room before we could get out ; as to the 
 depth of water, too, the width of the river, 
 and various interesting concomitants of escape 
 from a sinking ship ; when suddenly, as if a 
 thunder-bolt had struck, there came a crash, 
 a heavy lurch, a shiver of the whole ship — and, 
 quicker than words can describe it, away went 
 chairs, plates, and table, and every one vanished 
 through the door and up the ladder. Yet not 
 every one either, for a ward-room boy, simul- 
 taneously with the noise and concussion, had 
 tumbled against a stancheon, and, in spite of 
 the emergency and apparently imminent peril, 
 it was most laughable to see his horror-stricken, 
 despairing countenance, as, with eyes turned 
 upward, round and white as saucers, and knees 
 knocking together, he ejaculated, "Oh! we're 
 gone !" On deck all was at first black as Erebus. 
 There was running hither and thither ; cries for 
 help from the water ; flashing of lanterns and 
 loud shouts of command. The fact that we 
 were still afloat was at once apparent, but the 
 probabilities of remaining so were a question. 
 The lights of the iron-clad showed her to be on 
 our quarter, and not in contact with us ; but a 
 black object, like a phantom-ship, under full sail. 
 i was slowly drifting astern, and by the glimmer 
 
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 http://archive.org/details/cruiseonsassacusOOhold 
 
A CRUISE ON THE "SASSACUS." 
 
 713 
 
 u ou! we'ee gone!" 
 
 of lights on her deck all doubts as to the nature 
 at least of our disaster began to resolve. Some- 
 thing or other had plainly run into us, and it 
 was not our friend the iron-clad. As soon as 
 the crash of collision was heard her engines had 
 been stopped, her helm put hard aport, and she 
 had sheered off, almost grazing our quarter. A 
 boat was instantly lowered in answer to the cry 
 for help which had appeared to come from the 
 water, as well as to render assistance, if need 
 be, to the other colliding ship. In this boat, 
 with the sailing-master, went the surgeon, to 
 look out for those who might perchance be 
 wounded. Meantime, by the aid of half a doz- 
 en lights and considerable trouble, an approxi- 
 mate idea of our own injury was arrived at. 
 
 The ship had struck the S forward of the 
 
 wheel-house on the port side, and carried away 
 nearly the whole of it, as well as apparently a 
 part of the wheel itself. But more, and worse 
 than all, five or six men were missing. The 
 pumps were sounded as soon as possible, with 
 the result of assuring us that the ship's hull was 
 uninjured; not an inch of water was making. 
 As quiet was now restored, the first thought per- 
 haps to many was the natural one, after the dis- 
 cussion of the early part of the evening — "This 
 is the end of this cruise, at any rate!" The next, 
 and more humane one, was of anxiety for our 
 poor fellows who must have been lost overboard. 
 
 As one boat's crew was away, the names and 
 even the number of the missing ones could not 
 at once be ascertained ; and the return of the 
 absent boat was awaited with deep interest. 
 
 Upon boarding the other vessel, which had 
 soon drifted out of sight in the darkness, she 
 
 was found to be the W , a brig out of Boston, 
 
 with lumber, bound for Washington. Her cap- 
 tain was found in a state of great nervous trep- 
 idation, either from imminent danger of going 
 down — as he at once said his ship was leaking 
 — or from anticipation of being severely han- 
 dled for running into a man-of-war. Whatever 
 may have been the cause, he shook as with an 
 ague. We soon had reason, however, to form 
 a good opinion of him ; for though having but 
 few men, and knowing his own ship to be badly 
 injured, perhaps sinking, he had instantly low- 
 ered his boat as the same cry we had heard 
 reached his ears, and had succeeded in picking 
 up two of our missing men. 
 
 These two had been found together, both 
 wounded by the wheel, which had struck them 
 as they fell — one, who could swim, heroically 
 holding up his companion, who could not, till 
 assistance should arrive. The injury received 
 by the brig was rather severe, and amounted to 
 having a hole stove through her port bow, about 
 ten feet in length by three or four in breadth, 
 smashing several bunks, and rather unceremoni- 
 ously dislodging their occupants. In this nice 
 little aperture were stowed about a dozen square 
 feet of our iron sheathing and a good part of 
 our wheel and wheel-house. Farther aft than 
 this were a few other evidences of collision of a 
 similar nature as well as torn rigging, dislodged 
 lumber, etc. The captain and mate, upon going 
 below with our officers, surveyed the major open- 
 ing through which the outside darkness was vis- 
 ible with rueful countenances, but of course de- 
 nied any fault in the matter on their part, and 
 even talked of damages of another nature to be 
 recovered by a court. The result of the inves- 
 tigation and inquiry was a conviction that the 
 
 brig had been recklessly steered across the S 's 
 
 hawse under a mistaken idea as to distance, and 
 suddenly, when too late, the helm had been put 
 hard down. She was found to be not leaking 
 badly, and was therefore left with no misgivings 
 as to her sinking. The two wounded and half- 
 drowned men were properly cared for and taken 
 
 back to the .S . The other missing men were 
 
 never found or heard of, and must have been 
 killed outright by our powerful wheels. 
 
 It was impossible of course for us now to pro- 
 ceed, and a report was made of the extent of 
 our injury to the commander of the iron-clad. 
 As it happened a commodore was on board, who 
 gave orders for us to return to Washington, and 
 took the responsibility of proceeding in the iron- 
 clad without escort to Fortress Monroe. 
 
 Upon that accident depended the events to 
 be narrated, for the circumstances of war wait 
 for no repairs, and another ship supplied our 
 place at New Orleans. Weeks passed, and with 
 completion of repairs came most agreeable or- 
 ders for a cruise, on what is called the outer 
 blockade, a sort of independent search for block- 
 ade-runners, any where between two or more de- 
 fined points. In the latter part of January we 
 
714 
 
 HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 mm 1. 1> ! < I ,riii iiiill'iifflf -*^ 
 
 EFFECT OF THE COLLISION ON THE BRIG. 
 
 joined the North Atlantic Squadron, and at Nor- 
 folk completed such preparations as were neces- 
 sary for the cruise, such as sending down top- 
 masts and crows' nests, and lightening ship to 
 some extent of superfluous ammunition. 
 
 With the most pleasing confidence in the un- 
 surpassed speed of the S it will surely not 
 
 be wondered at that every day's delay seemed 
 most irksome. We were anxious to try her to 
 advantage behind the swiftest of the blockade- 
 breakers, and when upon leaving Norfolk she 
 tried a run of fifteen or twenty miles for the 
 benefit of the admiral, and accomplished the 
 distance at the rate of fourteen and a half knots 
 an hour, the eagerness for active service in- 
 creased. 
 
 On the morning of the 28th we steamed sea- 
 ward. Does any one whose days are filled with 
 the anxieties of business or the allurements of 
 pleasure ever wonder how the hours pass on a 
 cruiser, where the monotony of the most routine 
 of all routines reigns for days together? The 
 most unimportant and trivial subjects excite de- 
 bate, the most worn and threadbare remarks on 
 more than threadbare past events spice the meals 
 and fill up the chinks. The past experience of 
 most of our officers afforded vivid examples of 
 such a life, and though instead of an inside 
 blockade we were to try now for the first time 
 an outside and freer one, yet we could not but 
 anticipate a good deal more of the same sort of 
 monotony. 
 
 Yet we were destined to most agreeable dis- 
 appointment. Scarcely were twenty-four hours 
 
 passed ere a sail was made and we gave chase. 
 There was no black smoke to mark her as a 
 blockade-runner, but all sails were to be over- 
 hauled without distinction. It proved to be 
 merely a schooner heavily laden but having cor- 
 rect papers. 
 
 Another and another were chased with the 
 same result, then a steam transport filled with 
 our own soldiers, and the next day several craft 
 of various description. But on the morning of 
 the third day out, having arrived upon the ap- 
 pointed cruising ground, a thin curl of dark 
 smoke was descried upon the horizon. 
 
 Down went the helm, around came the ship's 
 prow. Four bells !* and we were off for the an- 
 ticipated prize. The wind blew freshly, dead 
 ahead, and the white-capped waves tossed their 
 spray over our bows, but so low were we in the 
 water that it hindered us but little. An hour 
 passed and yet another, and the wheel-houses 
 and upper deck of the chase were above the 
 horizon. The distance between us, at first about 
 twelve miles, had now decreased by three, but 
 a thin mist filled the atmosphere and was slow- 
 ly settling upon the whole sea. Speculations 
 as to whether the chase were a prize or one of 
 our own steamers had been all along rife, but 
 her actions began to convince us. Evidently a 
 swift steamer, the foam under her paddle-wheels, 
 which could plainly be seen by a glass, as well 
 as the increased volume of smoke from her fires, 
 evidenced a desire to escape. Interest increased, 
 and repeatedly were glasses leveled to measure 
 
 * Ahead fast — to the engineers. 
 
A CRUISE ON THE " SASSACUS." 
 
 715 
 
 'i'UE CHASE TI1KOUGU THE FO(J. 
 
 [he advantage we were gaining. Impatience at 
 the settling fog began to add fears that she might 
 be hidden before we could overtake her. While 
 the interest was the warmest and impatience 
 most irritating, and the fog becoming more and 
 more dense, some part of our machinery began 
 to heat and the wheels to move more slowly. It 
 was most provoking. Oil was useless, and con- 
 stant streams of cold water would barely allow 
 a moderate rate of speed. Fortunately a change 
 of course on the part of the chase, by altering 
 the effect of the waves upon us, relieved the strain 
 upon the heating parts, and again we were un- 
 der full headway. Still gaining slowly but stead- 
 ily upon it, the dim mass ahead loomed up to 
 us through the fog. 
 
 A heavier bank than usual had accumulated 
 upon her port side, and suddenly changing her 
 course full three points, she plunged into it out 
 of sight. This manoeuvre seemed to settle all 
 doubts as to her loyalty, but to increase those 
 of her capture. 
 
 Still we kept the same course, reasoning, as 
 it proved correctly, that once in the fog she 
 would resume her original course, and trust to 
 our having changed when she did. In less than 
 five minutes the fog thinned, and there she was, 
 still ahead, though a little on our port bow, but 
 nearer. 
 
 It was estimated that now hardly'three miles 
 were between us, and at half past two o'clock 
 in the afternoon a 100-ponnder Parrott rifle 
 was trained on her, and a shot fell just outside 
 the foam of her wheels. Not a signal was shown, 
 nor a sign of slackening speed returned, and in 
 ten minutes the order was given, " Fire to hit." 
 Another shot was fired, and anxiously we watch- 
 
 ed it, a little black speck in the air, as, splen- 
 didly in line, it struck apparently into her quar- 
 ter. Colors were now flown from her peak, but 
 the mist was too thick to enable us to read them, 
 and still she kept her speed. Another shot and 
 another whistled after her, and a flash from one 
 of her stern guns sent back reply. Interest had 
 now become excitement; every pound of steam 
 was crowded on to urge us forward. The gong 
 sounded to quarters. Our whole battery was 
 cleared for action, and every preparation made 
 for the fight. 
 
 Was it the Alabama or Florida? What a 
 chance for distinction to overtake and capture 
 one of those noted pirates! The distance now 
 rapidly diminished, and firing ceased; not a 
 sound save the plashing wheels and rushing wa- 
 ters broke the stillness. Eagerness for the fignt 
 yet anxiety as to its result filled every heart. 
 We were prepared for no disappointment aside 
 from those of battle; and when we neared and 
 could distinguish every part of the chase, and 
 read the r:mbers still flying at her peak, and 
 comparing their interpretation with the appear- 
 ance of the ship, be convinced that it was in- 
 deed one of our own steamers, imagination can 
 alone conceive the change in the mind of all 
 from excitement to indignation. 
 
 It would be as impolitic as useless to add 
 more: we turned about and steamed again for 
 our station. Weeks afterward we heard from 
 those who were on board that steamer that the 
 reasons for her not having come to after the first 
 fire were considerably at variance. One story 
 was that we were taken for a new Anglo-Rebel 
 ram that was expected ; another, that the cap- 
 tain was in great haste. 
 
716 
 
 HAKPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 BLOCKADE-EDNNEE "WILD DAYEELL" ASD.OEE. 
 
 Whatever may hare been the reason it re- 
 sulted in drawing the 5 ■ from her station, 
 
 so that on her return, at about dawn of day, an- 
 other but thicker and blacker smoke was in 
 sight, in toward the shore, about off Stamp In- 
 let. Not only this, but a long, low hull, with 
 raking masts and smoke-stack, lay below the 
 smoke full in sight. Swiftly, like a hawk on 
 
 its prey, the S sped toward her. Scarcely 
 
 six miles away, clearly visible as she was to us, 
 almost, indeed, within range of our guns, yet 
 she tried to escape. Too close, however, in- 
 shore, under which her pilot had attempted to 
 crawl along in the dusk past the innermost 
 bfockaders, she struck, and even then the ut- 
 most efforts were quickly made to save her. A 
 kedge was led out from her quarter, bales on 
 bales of goods were thrown overboard with al- 
 most incredible rapidity, but they had miscalcu- 
 lated our speed and draught. Ere more than 
 the first effort could be made we were within 
 range, and a shot whistled over their heads. 
 Helter-skelter ran every one for the boats, and 
 leaving every thing as it stood, with the engines 
 still moving, they fled precipitately. A nar- 
 row creek led inland, and with all dispatch they 
 pulled up into it and disappeared. One or two 
 shots from a rifled howitzer were fired ahead of 
 the flying boats; but no heed was given, and so 
 short was the time ere- a bend in the creek had 
 hidden them from view that a more effective 
 and telling reminder could not be sent. The 
 surf dashed against her sides and at times com- 
 pletely washed her decks. Clouds of smoke 
 
 and steam poured from her, mingling with the 
 spray. It seemed certain that the rebels must 
 have set her on fire, great as was their haste. 
 Quick were the willing hands that lowered our 
 boats almost before the anchor touched the 
 bottom, but it was a perilous task to attempt 
 through such a line of surf to pull boats never 
 built or intended for the work. The wind was 
 blowing freshly, and every moment seemed to 
 increase the swell and break of the waves around 
 and over the stranded ship. Nor was this all. 
 Even were the ship itself not on fire, we knew 
 full well that every inflammable substance had 
 been thrown under her boilers to increase her 
 steam, and the clouds arising from her looked 
 ominous. 
 
 Every moment increased the probability of 
 her blowing up, especially as the blockade-run- 
 ners have an unpleasant habit of fastening down 
 the safety-valves and putting on the blowers at 
 the moment of abandoning the ship. Every in- 
 stant was precious, and without a moment's hesi- 
 tation at the danger of surf or steam, the boats 
 were away and rolling among the breakers ere 
 the last shot fired over the retreating rebels fell 
 in the water beyond them. 
 
 Bravely the boats passed the first breakers, 
 and soon tossing against the prize, one and an- 
 other scrambled from them up the ship's side. 
 The first thought and attention was given to the 
 engines and boilers. The safety-valve was found 
 so securely fastened that the most vigorous ef- 
 forts failed to relieve it. One may only imagine 
 the sensations of those who were thus so in verv 
 
A CRUISE ON THE " SASSACUS.' 
 
 717 
 
 contact with destruction, uncertain whether one, 
 two, or three minutes might not end all in one 
 complete and terrible explosion. While ready 
 hands were thus busy above the boilers, others 
 below were hauling the furious fires or drench- 
 ing them with water. The peril was imminent 
 beyond expression. Again and again did the 
 brave men apply themselves to the resisting 
 valve till delay, though only measured by sec- 
 onds, was more than reckless. Yet soon suc- 
 cess rewarded exertion, and a scream of escap- 
 ing steam relieved the tremendous pressure that 
 had been accumulating. 
 
 The ship was not on fire, though it was evi- 
 dently no fault of her former crew ; for matches, 
 signal-lights, and all sorts of inflammable ma- 
 terials hastily piled together, but more hastily 
 abandoned, declared their intention. Yet, after 
 all, fire would have given little trouble, for al- 
 most every part of the ship from keel to pilot- 
 house was of iron. She was in most filthy con- 
 dition. Paint had long since given place to 
 whitewash, and whitewash to the effects of 
 wind and rain. Heavy cases of goods from 
 firms in New York, and of shoes marked as 
 from Lynn, Massachusetts, were lying about the 
 deck, or lifted half upon the rail in the attempt 
 so hurriedly made to lighten ship. In the hold 
 bales of dry goods were still swinging from the 
 whips ; while in the cabin all sorts of articles of 
 toilet or apparel, hastily emptied trunks and 
 valises, bottles and glasses, were strewn about 
 the floor. Her log-book showed her to be the 
 Wild Dayrcll, of whose speed and -successful 
 trips to the Confederacy the public had often 
 heard. 
 
 She was three days out of Nassau, and sev- 
 
 eral times before had been chased by our cruis- 
 ers, but had proved too fast for them. 
 
 Her lading was merchandise of every descrip- 
 tion, bushels of oranges and barrels of liquor. 
 
 The kedge, before spoken of as led out from 
 her quarter, was found to have had a strong but 
 light cable attached, and led to the shaft around 
 which the motion of the engine had tightly 
 wound it. All danger from fire or steam dis- 
 posed of, attention was turned to continuing the 
 laudable exertions of her former occupants. The 
 tide seemed unfortunately to be falling; for 
 though the surf was still as heavy, yet bare hill- 
 ocks of sand began to appear in dangerous prox- 
 imity to the .S ■ herself. To get ashore 
 
 would have been almost to insure destruction ; 
 for every one knew that in twenty-four hours 
 the rebels would have soldiers or a battery down 
 upon the beach ; and while they might at first 
 prove little more than an annoyance, proper ex- 
 ertions for getting again afloat would be serious- 
 ly interfered with. Prudently, therefore, the 
 
 S retired a little further from the shoals, 
 
 and again anchored to await the return tide. 
 Meantime a strong hawser was made ready and 
 men set to the task of lightening the prize, be- 
 ginning with the coal which almost filled her 
 bunkers. Most unfortunately, as is well known, 
 i a strong penchant exists in a Jack Tar for 
 whisky, and, as is also pretty generally known, 
 he usually manages to get it by hook or crook 
 if ever placed in its vicinity ; the utmost vigi- 
 lance, moreover, is hardly ever able to avert 
 such an issue. There was no exception in this 
 case. The most trusty men were sent below to 
 stave in every barrel, jug, and jar of intoxicating 
 liquor, and guards were stationed over them ; 
 
 TCE CABIN OF TIIE " WTLD DAYBELL. 
 
718 
 
 HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 but tlie men seemed to get drunk from the 
 fumes, and as the guards were also soon drunk, 
 it is fair to suppose they were drunk from sym- 
 pathy. 
 
 The coal came up slowly. Those who hauled 
 on the end of the rope somehow always worked 
 under the lee of a bulk-head or wheel-house, 
 and there seemed a tendency of the whole line 
 toward the same point ; so that the aftermost 
 man gave place at almost every second pull, 
 and came up to the head of the line. In fact, 
 the strong smell of whisky soon began to direct 
 unmistakable suspicion toward the vicinity, and, 
 in a word, so many men were getting under the 
 influence of liquor that the officers were obliged 
 to get them into the boats and abandon work. 
 
 With the rise of the tide another boat put off 
 
 from the 5 , with a hawser. It was safely 
 
 carried through the breakers and made fast to 
 the bow of the prize. 
 
 Meantime, as might have been expected, 
 one of the return boats, with her hilarious crew, 
 in attempting to pass the surf was nearly cap- 
 sized and grounded, tumbling about half a 
 dozen men overboard. This cold bath was most 
 beneficial ; they were so far sobered as very sens- 
 ibly to stay overboard and lay hold of the boat 
 and haul it into deeper water. 
 
 When all was ready on the ships, and the 
 tide nearly at its height, both engines were 
 started, the hawser tautened, the prize yielded 
 slowly, very slowly — stopped again, then stuck 
 fast, one long, strong pull and snap ! the cable 
 parted in the hawse-hole. 
 
 The transfer of a cable under such circum- 
 stances is no easy matter, nor is it one of a few 
 moments, and ere another could be made ready 
 the tide was falling. Nothing could therefore 
 be done save to wait another tide, and mean- 
 time renewed efforts were made to get the coal 
 out. After the precaution taken to destroy all 
 liquors the work was expected to proceed more 
 successfully. 
 
 The wind increased in freshness as dusk be- 
 gan to close around, and it required considera- 
 ble nerve to look calmly upon the shoals so near 
 us and hear their sullen roar, beating as they 
 were upon an enemy's coast. Yet every thing 
 was kept in readiness for getting underway if 
 the wind should increase too dangerously. All 
 boats were recalled, and no one remained upon 
 the prize. The work on board of her had pro- 
 ceeded more successfully than before, and near- 
 ly all the coal ' had been thrown overboard. 
 About midnight the hawser was again taut- 
 ened, and though only the stars furnished their 
 
 feeble light, the S was tasked her utmost 
 
 to haul that ship from the strand. Again the 
 hawser broke and the effort was given up. 
 Lights now appeared on the shove, and back 
 among the trees several could be seen moving 
 hither and thither. Morning would probably 
 bring the rebels upon us, and it was almost re- 
 gretted that the steamer had not been at once 
 destroyed. Morning brought no change, how- 
 ever, save that the Wild Dni/re/l was two hun- 
 
 dred feet farther on the beach. As the weather 
 was clear and beautiful, and no special neces- 
 sity apparent for leaving, a third trial was re- 
 solved upon. 
 
 In accordance with this determination boats 
 and crews were made ready as before, when an- 
 other actor appeared in the drama. A sail was 
 made out approaching from the direction of the 
 Wilmington fleet. 
 
 It proved to be the F man-of-war. She 
 
 came up, and anchored. 
 
 Assistance was volunteered, and almost at the 
 same moment four boats loaded with men and 
 officers put off from her for the prize. The 
 
 men from the S were already hard at work 
 
 hoisting coal, tumbling heavy barrels, etc., 
 over the side, guards being as before stationed 
 over all goods of value, the cabin, and its stores. 
 Without any ceremony, or so much as " by 
 your leave," all orders were broken down, and 
 like freebooters the new-comers began lighten- 
 ing ship in a very different manner from the 
 first design. Had the commander of the stran- 
 ger not made his appearance on the scene at 
 this moment blood would have followed. 
 
 Fighting is too nearly allied to displeasure in 
 a sailor's mind to allow much of an interval be- 
 tween a word and a blow, and even the pres- 
 ence of the commanding officer hardly restored 
 order. 
 
 He, being senior to the captain of the 5 , 
 
 gave orders to desist from work, as it was now 
 apparent upon sounding about her that she never 
 would float again. Orders were also added to 
 save whatever provisions were needed by the 
 crews of either vessel, but to take provisions 
 only. 
 
 In about two hours goods apparently most 
 bulky had entirely melted away. However 
 comprehensive the word " provisions" may be 
 the large proportion of articles which thus dis- 
 appeared could hardly be included. 
 
 It was most fortunate that not a demijohn of 
 liquor remained after the destruction of the 
 morning, or authority, and even force, would 
 have been of no avail to control so many. 
 
 As it was, however, all went along pretty 
 smoothly for nearly half an hour, till suddenly 
 the sharp crack of rifles, and the whiz of a score 
 of bullets overhead, hurried every body in prep- 
 aration for the destruction. The blue lights 
 and matches were this time more effectually 
 piled together, and every part of the ship in- 
 sured for complete and simultaneous combus- 
 tion. 
 
 Then came the gauntlet of a quarter of a mile 
 along the beach, from which the firing was now 
 pretty constant. The wind was blowing direct- 
 ly on shore, and as nothing but muskets had 
 yet been fired at us the sound seemed not to 
 
 have reached the S . The bullets whistled 
 
 overhead, into the boat's sides, among the oars, 
 and through hats and coats, but not a man had 
 yet fallen. Sturdily the men lay to the oars 
 till the boat fairly flew. It seemed utterly im- 
 possible to reach the ship without the loss of 
 
A CRUISE ON THE "SASSACUS." 
 
 719 
 
 reached, and with 
 its earliest glimmer 
 "Sail, ho!" was 
 shouted from the 
 mast-head. 
 
 A thin, black 
 smoke just dimmed 
 the verge of the hori- 
 zon, and again four 
 bells started the S — 
 in pursuit. 
 
 Rapidly at first, be- 
 cause not yet our- 
 selves discovered, we 
 gained upon the 
 stranger, till just as 
 the hull was becom- 
 ing dimly visible, she 
 seemed to spy us, and 
 for an hour not a rod 
 appeared to have as 
 mauy men, and in spite of the peril of the situ- yet been gained by the pursuer, 
 ation we could not but feel a sort of contempt The smoke became thicker and blacker, and 
 for such poor marksmen. But now they have bad her name been written in gigantic letters 
 seen from the ship the little curls of smoke out : npon the cloud it could not have rendered more 
 of the bushes, and an admonition to the rebels certain the character of the chase. The sea 
 to retire is hurled from the hurricane deck — ! was smooth as a mill-pond, and only a gentle 
 
 ATTACKED BY SHARP-SHOOTERS. 
 
 one, two, three howitzer shells burst over or in 
 the infested shelter ; and now not a marksman 
 can be seen along the shore. The curling 
 tongues of flame that now shot out from the 
 decks of the Wild Da;/rell showed that the torch 
 had been faithfully applied ; clouds of lurid 
 smoke poured from the holds, and enveloped 
 the whole of her light masts, sails, and rig- 
 ging 
 
 wind blew over its unruffled surface. 
 
 It was splendid weather for speed, and pur- 
 suer and pursued made the very most of it. 
 Mile after mile, hour after hour, the chase kept 
 on. The same difficulty with heating machin- 
 ery occurred as before, and the same means were 
 tried to obviate it. 
 
 More and more distinct grew the stranger, 
 though scarcely a mile an hour diminished the 
 distance between us. The white foam could 
 
 To insure complete ruin of her engines, and 
 to preclude, the remote possibility of her ever j be faintly distinguished under her paddle-wheels 
 serving again either her owners or the rebels, at the end of the sixth hour, but gradually, as 
 both the S and /•' took position, and if to run for some port, she had changed her 
 
 shot after shot was fired through the iron hu! 
 Bursting shells soon tore immense holes in bows 
 and stern, or threw masses of shattered deck 
 and cargo high into the air. 
 
 In three hours the anticipated prize lay upon 
 the beach a complete wreck. 
 
 Ere the night came again we were off for our 
 outer station ; but hours after dark the red light 
 from the still smouldering fire marked to us the 
 spot we had left. 
 
 Subsequently we learned that the F , hav- 
 ing lain at anchor until the following morning, 
 was attacked from the shore by the rebels, who 
 had brought down a light battery. 
 
 Several holes through various parts of the 
 ship, and several killed and wounded, attested 
 their superior skill over the misnamed sharp- 
 shooters who had fired upon the boats. It was 
 now the sixth day out, and though at starting 
 the prospect of finding any blockade-runners 
 seemed limited, yet the whole time, thus far, 
 had been filled with the excitement of chase. 
 Every one was willing, therefore, to prophesy 
 that not another one would be se'en for a month, 
 and it seemed very probable. 
 
 By dawn of day our cruising ground was 
 
 course shoreward, and unless greater speed could 
 be attained might yet escape or be stranded and 
 destroyed. Every fire was cleaned, and every 
 pound of steam that the boilers would bear was 
 crowded on. We were now moving at the rate 
 of sixteen miles an hour. The smoke-stack 
 
 THE ADMONITION. 
 
720 
 
 HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 7 t^\ i: '^m- 
 
 TUEY RUN HER ASUORE, 6ET HEK ON FIRE, AND E80APED. 
 
 was gradually turning brown from the heat, and 
 flakes of paint peeled off and fell upon the deck. 
 So intensely hot did it become that one could 
 not stand within six feet of it, and men were 
 stationed with hose and buckets of water in or- 
 der to quench the first appearance of flame in 
 the deck through which it passed. Bales of 
 goods began to float past us. They were light- 
 ening ship. " Land, ho !" came from the mast- 
 head look-out, and far away a low dark border 
 to the horizon could be seen with a glass. Oh 
 for ten miles more sea-room or another revolu- 
 tion of our wheels ! Yet, after all, she will be 
 overtaken ere she can reach the shore ; for the 
 distance is now barely three miles between us, 
 and there are yet twelve miles to run. There 
 was no time for a mathematical calculation as 
 to how likely a steamer gaining on another 
 scarcely two miles an hour, and both moving 
 at such speed, would be to overtake her in a 
 run of twelve miles ; there seemed no time for 
 any thing in the excitement of the chase, though 
 the very minutes appeared hours. The shore 
 grew bolder and plainly visible even without a 
 glass. 
 
 The 100-pounder rifle could carry a message, 
 and it was called in requisition for the purpose. 
 A shell was fired. It rose high in the air, and, 
 like a speck, could be seen on its course till a 
 little puff of smoke took its place directly over 
 the flying vessel. No notice was taken save 
 apparently to hasten her flight. Another fol- 
 lowed, and another swept her decks; but the 
 running hither and yon of the excited crew 
 and the cool indifference of the ninn at her 
 wheel were the onlv results. 
 
 It was now evident that she would succeed 
 in stranding, and most probably be set on fire. 
 The water was shoaling rapidly, and the leads- 
 man's song changed at every cast of the lead, 
 till "by the mark five" had become "deep four," 
 and it was time to slacken speed. Another cast 
 of the lead, and " by the mark three" gave new- 
 cause for anxiet}\ "Stop her!" "Back her!" 
 were the orders of almost the same breath ; but 
 the cast still gave three fathoms. 
 
 The chase struck hard and strong ahead of 
 us, going at full speed. Simultaneous with the 
 shock her boats, full of men, touched the break- 
 ers, and one capsized. Without regard for the 
 men struggling in the water, the other boats 
 pulled swiftly through the surf and up one of 
 the numerous inlets which cut the coast, and 
 across which, fortunately for them, the ship had 
 
 stranded. The S 's boats, fully manned 
 
 and armed, were also in the water ere the last 
 man had left the prize's decks. Yet before the 
 intervening space could be crossed the catastro- 
 phe we had feared was come about. A dozen 
 streams of smoke were beginning to creep lazily 
 upward from different parts of the ship, and ev- 
 ery moment increased in volume. She was on 
 (ire. The former experience with the safety- 
 valve of the Wild Dayrell rendered a similar 
 hazardous exposure more to be dreaded ; espe- 
 cially since a tremendous pressure of steam was 
 evidenced by the almost incredible velocity of 
 her revolving wheels, as well as the complete 
 absence of any appearance of steam above decks. 
 Yet not a moment was given to hesitation. As 
 the first boat touched the ship's side officers and 
 men jumped aboard. Meantime another boat 
 
A CRUISE ON THE "SASSACTJS." 
 
 721 
 
 Att THE BOAT TOUCHED THEY JUMPED ABOAED. 
 
 had pat off from the S to rescue, if possi- 
 ble, those who were still struggling among the 
 breakers. 
 
 The utmost exertions, and a venturing close 
 upon the reef although the boat was most un- 
 suited to any such work, were unsuccessful in 
 rescuing more than one man. 
 
 He, who proved to have been the purser of 
 the ship, was found clinging to the capsized 
 boat, and had the additional advantage of a 
 life-preserver round his body. Sick and al- 
 most dead from exhaustion and swallowing so 
 much salt-water, he was hauled on board the 
 
 S ■ and reserved for future use. Arrived on 
 
 the deck of the burning 
 steamer the first thought 
 and effort was directed 
 toward the engine-room, 
 and in a moment more 
 the escaping steam re- 
 lieved all anxiety from 
 that quarter. The next 
 and perhaps simultaneous 
 one was for the fire. 
 Tarpaulins were covered 
 over every hatch, and 
 the ship's buckets, quick- 
 ly found, were soon em- 
 ployed to ponr a con- 
 stant stream of water npon 
 them. This was not 
 enough, the blackness of 
 the smoke, and the 
 strong odor of turpentine, 
 
 Vol. XXIX.— No. 17-t.— 3B 
 
 I showed that it was no ordinary fire raging be- 
 
 j low. A small fire-engine was sent from the 
 S , and for several minutes the progress of 
 
 i the workers was viewed with deep interest. 
 
 I The smoke seemed to grow still blacker, and 
 red tongues of flame came at intervals from the 
 crevices to mingle with it. Every moment in- 
 creased the peril, for traces of ammunition on 
 deck showed what might be the character of the 
 cargo below, and the thought that a single spark 
 in the magazine might at any instant blow ship 
 and men to atoms made the blood run cold. 
 This increase of flame, however, was but the last 
 flaring of the candle, and very soon scarcely a 
 
 THE l'lEBI-.U. 
 
722 
 
 HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 PUTTING ODT THE FIRE. 
 
 trace of smoke or fire rose from the deck. The 
 water was rising every moment, and the most 
 sanguine hopes were entertained of getting the 
 ship again afloat. A hawser was led from the 
 S to her, and the short interval before high- 
 tide was filled up with soundings and prepara- 
 tion for a long strong pull. The steamer proved 
 to be the Nuffield, perfectly new, and, as her pa- 
 pers showed, laden with arms and stores for the 
 Confederate Government. She had been chased 
 the day before, and escaped only to find herself 
 at night in the very midst of the inside block- 
 aders off Wilmington. Eluding these and again 
 putting straight to sea, daylight had brought her 
 within range of our watchful look-outs, and the 
 result was before us. In a short time various 
 points in the deck were found to be getting hot, 
 and an ominous hollow sound under the foot- 
 steps indicated the activity of the flames below. 
 Holes were cut where the deck was hottest, and 
 streams of water poured down with the little fire- 
 engine before mentioned. In the cabin of the 
 prize, which was most luxuriantly furnished, 
 stood the breakfast-table hastily abandoned. A 
 lavish expenditure of turpentine had soaked 
 every thing both of food and furniture, but the 
 fire had fortunately failed to take, and nothing 
 appeared injured. The same profusion of wear- 
 ing apparel was strewn about the cabin as on the 
 Wild Dayrell, and the same evidence of hasty 
 abandonment were visible in the state-rooms. 
 It was, however, now high-tide, and inspection 
 of cabin and cargo was changed for active exer- 
 tion to save the ship. 
 
 The engines of both steamers were started, 
 the cable tautened, the prize moved, and a cheer 
 was given as she seemed to be afloat, but the 
 wind, which had increased, was rapidly forcing 
 
 the S over upon a neighboring shoal, and 
 
 with a terrible shock she struck. 
 
 Quick as lightning the cable was cnt, and just 
 in time the powerful wheels launched the ship 
 ahead upon the swell, and once more in deeper 
 water. It was over, and every one breathed 
 freer. There was no alternative now but to 
 wait once more for the tide, and fill the interval 
 by lightening the beached ship of part of her 
 cargo. Cases of muskets, rifles, and swords 
 were passed tip from the after hold, where alone 
 the fire had been entirely quelled, and being too 
 valuable to be thrown overboard were transferred 
 
 to the hold of the S . About forty cases 
 
 had been started before night came, so that upon 
 the midnight tide hopes were entertained that 
 she might be made to float. Another hawser 
 was stretched before dusk, and every thing made 
 ready, but fortune seemed against us. The tide 
 rose, the engines were started, the cable tautened, 
 strained, and broke. It was provoking ; but it 
 was determined on the following day to endeavor 
 at least to save part of the most valuable cargo. 
 In accordance with this plan men were set to 
 work at daylight. Cases of needles, hardware 
 of every sort, saddles, bridles, gun-tackles, ma- 
 chinery in order and out of order, writing paper 
 in bales upon bales, dry goods, and fancy articles, 
 were piled in one solid mass from upper deck to 
 kelson. 
 
A CRUISE ON THE "SASSACUS." 
 
 723 
 
 CABIN OF TIJE "NUFFIELD. 1 
 
 It was found advisable to save the arms in 
 preference to all else; and while the work was 
 going on various were the exclamations of con- 
 gratulation at having within three days stranded 
 two swift blockade-runners, and not a few that 
 
 f.he F , which had interfered before, must now 
 
 be far away, when lo! a steamer rapidly ap- 
 proached. Itwasshe! Consternation and anx- 
 iety lest the former scenes should be repeated 
 
 rendered the instant order from the S to 
 
 burn the prize a most agreeable one. It seemed 
 a hard fate for a ship so beautiful in model and 
 finish, built and equipped, as she evidently had 
 
 THE DROWNED. 
 
 been, at anutterdisregardofallexpen.se; yet the 
 necessity for her destruction was apparent, and 
 every preparation was hastily made. 
 
 The bodies of the drowned men lay upon the 
 shore close by the ship, in which they had per- 
 haps most hopefully set out from home ; and 
 one, just on the edge of the surf, lay with white 
 face exposed to the burning sun, and his hands 
 were folded across his breast as if in sleep. The 
 sight was a sad one, but other scenes soon called 
 away all unpleasant reflections. Every body was 
 now in the boats, and the fires from every part 
 of the ill-fated ship were again springing forth. 
 The new-comer once 
 more took position 
 
 with the 5 , and 
 
 opened fire of shot 
 and shell ; and soon, 
 warped by heat and 
 riddled with shot, the 
 iron hull of the block- 
 ade-runner lay before 
 us a shapeless wreck. 
 One of the poor fel- 
 lows lying upon the 
 beach was discovered 
 to be still alive, and 
 occasionally raised 
 himself weakly upon 
 his arm and waved 
 his handkerchief for 
 help. He lay upon 
 the outline of surf, 
 and at times the iov 
 
724 
 
 HARPEK'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 water would break 
 completely over him. 
 What could be done? 
 Not a boat in our 
 possession would pass 
 and repass the rolling 
 breakers to the spot 
 in safety, and to cap- 
 size was merely to 
 leave our own men 
 in the same pitiable 
 condition. He was 
 too weak to cling to a 
 line, and no plan for 
 his relief was deemed 
 prudent, even though 
 the only alternative 
 was to leave him to 
 die. The experience 
 with the Wild Day- 
 rell warned against 
 
 delay ; and even without it, the sudden appear- 
 ance at this juncture of a troop of rebels upon 
 a distant road, casting up clouds of dust as they 
 dashed along, decided the apparently dreadful 
 alternative to be as justifiable as necessary. 
 
 Leaving the F ■ still at anchor, once more 
 
 was the S '.s prow turned seaward. 
 
 The prisoner we had taken stated that, in the 
 case of the Nuffield, owners and crew had been 
 most sanguine of making many a successful trip, 
 and that her cargo was valued at half a million 
 of dollars. During her flight from the S 
 
 several rifled guns and tons of lead had been 
 thrown overboard, as well as the cases that had 
 floated past us. Our prisoner, too, showed pret- 
 ty conclusively by his conversation that his sym- 
 pathies were with our enemies, and gratitude 
 for saving his life seemed to be the last and least 
 of all his thoughts. Opportunity soon occurred 
 of transferring him to a prison on shore, for a few 
 days virtually ended the cruise on the outer block- 
 ade. Upon returning to Beaufort for coal orders 
 were found awaiting us to the Sounds of North 
 Carolina, and, as the event proved, to battle. 
 
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