American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-18
gu. S. SHIP CUMBERLAND,

'Of Vera Cruz, October II, 1916.
alt is with feelings of deep modification that
/ 2pprize the department of the failure Of ano-
Their attempt to enter the river of Alvarado.
''On the morning Of the 18th, little after
sunrise, | reached the entrance of that river,
with the steamer Vixen, the three gun boats,
the prize schooner Nonata, mounting four guns,
and the revenue vessels, schooner Forward
and steamer McLane, accompanied by the Mis-
sissippi, 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 10 make any impression on the work
with her shells. This battery mounted seven
guns; and Immediately behind it, on an elevat-
ed knoll, was platform, on which was 3
mounted pivot-gun. Knowing The small pow
er of the steamers on which depended 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 NOV
ing until near two O'Clock, but seeing no pros
pect of the usual sea-breezo setting in, deter
mined to proceed The first division compos-
cd of the Refer and Bonita, in tow Of the Vix-
en-, got under way, and was followed by the &C.
cond division, consisting of the Nonata, For
ward 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 a
mile, or mile and a half the hour.
1.-THE first division continued to advance
steadily, 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 i 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 constrain-
ed to order the Vixen TO be put about, and re-
pass her.
at may be as well to observe here, that be-
sides the battery al the entrance of the river,
there is another at the town, one and a hall
miles distant, of three guns, with two briggs,
each mounting nine guns, schooner of seven
guns, and two gun-boats, each carrying long
24-pounder-all go disposed as to command the
channel. BY the time the Vixen joined her,
the McLane was again ahoat, without having
sustained any material injury. 1t was obvi-
Gus, however, her draft (ten feet two inches)
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 be-
lieve should find that depth now, but the late
floods have probably lessened it, as on sound
ing previously TO entering, there were barely
twelve feet. The Vixen struck twice in going
over, though drawing only seven feet The
current was also stronger in the river than ex-
pected, and even if she could pass the bar,
felt convinced the power Of the McLano was
inadequate to make head against it with any
vessel in tow. These consideTations--and the
day being far spent-induced me, however,
much against my 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 attend
ing naval operations on this coast. The north
winds, during the winter months, are sudden
and violent, accompanied by high seas and
strong currents. No judgment can be formed
as to what moment they may commence. I'M
der such circumstances, an opinion may be
easily formed of the difficulty of landing boz
dy of men on the open coast, and also of the
danger from the elements attending it.
"lam, very respectfully,
"Your obedent servant,
"D. CONNER,
"Commandinp Home Squadron