Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Series 1, Volume 6. Page: 43
xix, 896 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
It was with great reluctance that I was induced on the 24th instant
to abandon the blockade of Cape Fear River, but the injury to our
machinery was of such a serious nature as to render the step impera-
tively necessary for me to assume the responsibility, particularly as we
could not repair it; and the longer we remained working the vessel on
the high-pressure principle with decreased power not sufficient to pro-
pel her against a sea in a gale of wind, the greater were the chances in
a short time of our not being able to reach any port.
About an hour previous to the breaking of the eccentric strap we got
underway (as was our wont) to make an offing, to meet any contin-
gency in consequence of an increasing southwest wind, and had pro-
ceeded about 3 miles when the accident occurred. Fortunately we
found the bottom soft, which enabled us to ride out a gale accompanied
with heavy squalls from the southwest, which tried our cable very
severely, and had we parted must have inevitably gone on shore, for
our engine was useless and the engineers were busy all night and most
of the following day making it, with the old pipe we happened to have
on hand, into a noncondensing engine, to enable us to reach some
friendly port for repairs, and I have found on the passage hither the
report of the engineers of her decreased speed nearly correct.
The vessel in a seaway when in repair averaged less than 6 knots per
hour, and now, with the aid of the sails, we get about 3j. She might
answer for smooth water in rivers or bays, but for sea I consider her,
not only for her want of speed, but also on account of her rolling so deep
as to prevent the use of her guns, as totally unfit for the service.
It is a melancholy and significant commentary on secession that dur-
ing a passage of nearly four days along the Southern coast the only
vessel seen and spoken was the brig Falmouth, of New York, forty-two
days from the coast of Africa, under the charge of Lieutenant Young,
U. S. Navy, a prize to the U. S. S. Sumpter.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAML. LOCKWOOD,
Commander.
Flag-Officer S. H. STRINGHAM,
Comdg. Atlantic Blackading Squadron, Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Report of Flag-Officer Stringham, U. S. Navy, commanding Atlantic
Blockading Squadron, regarding movements of vessels.
U. S. S. MINNESOTA,
Hiampton Roads, July 30, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department that the U. S. S.
Seminole has sailed for Charleston.
I have ordered the Penguin to take her station to blockade off Cape
Fear, North Carolina, recently occupied by the Daylight.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. H. STRINGHAM,
Flag-Oficer, Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of Navy.43
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Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion: General Index (Book)
General index listing persons, naval units, ships, battles, and major subject headings mentioned in the "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion" volumes. Listings include the numbers for the series (Roman numerals) and volume (Arabic numbers) where the reference(s) can be found.
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United States. War Department. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Series 1, Volume 6., book, 1897; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth192841/m1/66/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.