Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Series 1, Volume 13. Page: 47
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SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
Report of Commander Mullany, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. 8. Bienville.
U. S. S. BIENVILLE,
Qff Ch' rleston, S. C., Hfay 27, 18692.
SIR: I have the honor to report that I captured this morning and
sent to the port f New York the iron screw steamer Patras (supposed
to be British), under the following circumstances:
At 4:45 a. i., while cruising off Bull's Island, about 18 miles distant
to the northward and eastward of Charleston Bar, discovered a steamer;
changed our course to N. N. W. and gave chase at fuH speed and
hoisted our colors. The chase stood in for the land at full speed,
which was distant about 8 miles. At 5 a. m. changed our course to
N. W. by W. to cut off the steamer, which was endeavoring to run
the blockade, and overhauled her rapidly.
At 5:30 a. m., having got within range of our rifled pivot gun, fired
a shot which fell within a few yards of her. Shortly afterwards the
strange steamer stopped her engine, when we discovered she had
English colors hoisted.
At 5:45 a. in. came up with the strange steamer, stopped our
engine, lowered a boat, and sent Lieutenant Benham, executive officer
of this ship, in her with an armed boat's crew, Acting Master Shef-
field, and Third Assistant Engineer Fountain, to board and examine her.
At 6 a. m. Lieutenant Benham returned and reported that the vessel
had no papers. On demanding them of the captain he informed him
that he had no papers, and said that he was "coasting along." The
captain also informed Lieutenant Benham that he was from Havana
and sailed four or five days ago.
The vessel has on her stern " Patras, of London." She is an iron
screw steamer, schooner rigged, of about 260 tons (English measure-
ment). Her cargo consists in part of powder, arms, quinine, and
coffee.
The captain of the Patras subsequently informed me that she sailed
from England about the 10th of April, arrived at Saint Thomas the
10th of May, at Havana on the 17th, and sailed from the latter port on
the 21st of May. He also admitted that the vessel had powder and
arms on board.
She had on board a crew of nineteen, including officers, and two
persons calling themselves supercargoes.
I have sent the prize home in charge of Acting Master George D.
Upham, of the James Adger (who was loaned to me by Captain Mar-
chand for the purpose), assisted by Gunner Joseph Smith, of this
ship, First Assistant Engineer A. D. Douglas, of the James Adger,
Third Assistant Engineer James S. Doran, of the IKeystone State, 6
seamen, 4 firemen and coal heavers, and 3 marines.
I have sent the captain and two of the crew of the Patras to New
York in the vessel as witnesses. The only vessels that were in sight
when the capture was made was the bark Restless and the schooner
George W Blunt, both of whom, I believe, were at anchor and took
no steps to aid in the capture that I am aware of.
I respectfully request that the gunner of this ship may be ordered
back to her again; his services are very valuable and much needed on
board.
I herewith enclose a correct list of the officers and crew of this ship,
with their ratings attached.47
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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 13., book, 1901; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth192848/m1/70/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.