Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-02
Attack ON Alyarado /.


Attack ON AlvaradO.
We give below the official letter of Commo-
dore Conner, announcing the second failure in
attempting to take Alyarado. BY comparis-
on with previous accounts, it will be seen that
the failure shas been greatly exaggerated
Weekly Paper,
LATE FROM OUR soADRON IN THE
GULF AND ON THE PACIFIC.
s.U. S. SHIP CUMBERLAND,
"OffVera Cruz, October II, 1876.
cit is with feelings of deep modification that
apprise the department of the failure of anoth-
er attempt to enter the river of Alvarado.
Con the morning of the 18th, a little after
sunrise, / reached the entrance of that river
with the steamer Vixen, the three gunboats, the
prize schooner Nonata, mounting four guns, and
| the revenue vessels, schooner Forward and
steamer McLane, accompanied by the Mssis-
sippi, Commodore Perry. 1t was intended the
latter should cannonade the battery, while the
smaller vessels crossed the bar. 1t was found,
however, she could not approach near enough
to make anv impression on the work with her
shells. This battery mounted seven guns, and
| Immediately behind it, on an elevated knoll,
was platform, On which was mounted pivot
gun. Knowing the small power of the steam
ers on which depend to tow the small vessels
over the bar, and up the river, was DESTROYS
of having favorable wind to assist them. For
this purpose, delayed moving until nearly two
O'Clock, but seeing 10 prospect OF the usual sea
breeze setting in, | determined to proceed. The
| first division, composed of the Refer and Be-
nita, in tow of the Vixen, got under away. and
Was followed by the second division, consisting
of the Nonata, Forward and Petrol, towed by
the McLane. As they approached the bar, the
current became stronger, causing the steamers
to steer badly, and lessening their progress to
not more than mile, or a mile and half the
| hour.
| sThe first division continued to advance stea-
Oily, and had been some time engaged with the
battery, when had the modification to see the
McLane aground on the bar, and the vessels she
had in tow, foul of each other, in the greatest
disorder.
GAS ii was evident no support could be ex-
pected from the second division for some time, if
at all, and as the three vessels composing the
first, were wholly inadequate to prosecute the
attack, even if they could pass the battery, with
which we were engaged, | was constrained to
order the Vixen to be put about, and repass the
bar.
at NAV be as we'll to observe here, that be :
sides the battery at the entrance of the river,
there is another at the town, one and haff mile
distant, Of three guns, with two briggs, each
mounting nine guns, schooner of seven guns,
and two gunboats, leach carrying long 24-poun-
der-all so disposed as to command the chan
mel. BY the time the Vixen joined her, the
McLane was again afioat, without having. sas-
tanned any material injury. 1t was obvious,
however, her draft, (ten feet two inehes) was
too great to pass the bar in its present state
Generally, there are from thirteen to fifteen feet
on it, and my information led me to believe
should find that depth now, but the late foods
have probably lessened it, as on sounding, pre-
yiouslv to entering, there were barely twelve
feet. The Vixen struck twice in going over:
though dra wing only seven feet. The current
was also stronger in the river tkab | expected
and even if she could pass the bar, felt con-
to make head against it with any vessel in tow.
These consderations--and the day being far
spent-;nduced me however, much against nv
inclination, to abandon any further attempt at
present to enter the river.
"Except for short time, from early in the
spring to the commencement OF the rainy sea-
son. no one, not acquainted with them, can have
any conception of the difficulties attending ma
wal operations on this coast. The north winds
during the winter months, are sudden and VIC
lent, accompanied by high seas and strong cur
rents. No Judgment can be formed as TO what
moment they may commence. Under such
circumstances, an opinion may be easily formed
of the difficulty of landing body of men on tho
open coast, and also of the danger from the ele
ments attending it.
Il am very respectfully
"Your obedient servant
sd. CONNER,
commanding Home Squadron.
.IfIon. JOHN Y. Mason,
| ..Sacratarv of the Navy WASHINGTON -"