The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-24
THE u MON.


10 the Editor Of The Union: Nf
The northeast storm which is raging, and the ire
mendous roar of the surf sounding IN my ears p,op'
TO make few suggestions upon the losses and mis-
fortunes almost daily occurring In our navy
live in full view OF the Atlantic coast, where can
most of our coasters and many OF our larger craft
they pass along bound either TO the capes OF Virginia
or Delaware. A few hours since, when thick mist
with drifting clouds had passed by and il lighted up for
few moments saw from my window one OF our regu-
lar coasters running down before northeast gale bound
either into the cSpes Of Virginia or h ne Sl safe
of the escape of the naval brig Washington"
Il think was that was saved so mlraculousy on lee
coast shore after having had swept from her decks at one
compshed commander You may ask, why 1t was that,
seeing coaster pass BY, should be reminded OF the loss
of the Washington The Washington, like the coaster
have Just mentioned, last winter running down be-
fore northeast gale, bound to the capes OF Virginia
She made Cape Henry or Cape Charles light, Gt makes
having discovered one Of these lights, and knew what
light it she fell to leeward OF Cape Henry and was
shortly after riding at anchor in violent gale the awful
Cape Hattea 10 leeward Could this have been SO, had
the captain even OF the little coaster have just
toned, any OF hundred coasters OF Accomack,
been board' No, sir! there is not regular coaster
who trades between New York and the capes OF Virginia.
but who, had he been board the Washington, would
have carried her safely into Hampton Roads as
you, would walk down Pennsylvania avenue either
would have felt perfectly safe after he made one OF
the lights the capes, and had it been extingushed i'm
mediately; yet, with its bearings, and his lead swell
for the be eered and in less than two hours the
/" Washington" would have let 60 anchor in Hampton
Roads instead of off Cape Hatteras coast shore
But may be told that naval ships depend on taking
pilot when they enter cape harbor. This can be
done in good weather, though often in heavy gale the
pilot himself is obliged to make harbor he may be to
eeward, when, to down for him. your ship would
fall much to leeward of the harbor not to be able TO
" fetch it" Our coasters think OF taking a pilot
and would laugh at should he come alongside, Tor
they well if not better acquainted than the pilot
himself
do not mean to blame the skilfu and accomplished
officers of navy; but they unacqualnted with the
coast capes harbors and also the management OF our
small cassed vessels, such as the Shark, Grampus,
Washington, Somers, and such like; but put them on
board seventy four or forty four and they are peTect
y at home" What regular old coaster would ever have
thought of carrying the Truxtgn over Tuxpan bar or
not have known how "to let the Somers up In squal
But naval officers and sailors being constantly SHIFTED
from large to small vessels cannot be as well acquainted
with their management as our coasters who are brought
up from boys on board such ''craft."
These also certain of the depth OF water
bar from its appearance, color and the "bar break,
they had thrown the lead and measured It, And as
for the coast chart they nearly as well acquainted
with at as you are with our political chart and like
yourself though they sometimes getsn the breasers yet
very generally they ''steer clear"
Such schooner, for instance as the Shark Frt, or
Grampus properly managed, is safer, and will e-to or
scud as long, if not longer than any ship that float
ed but they must be WcI nanaged there must be some
one on board who is accustomed to, and acquainted
with the management of such ciosed uesseis who knows
when to ie-to, under 1chat SAIL and when and how to
sc,d or what to do at time when all depends knop-
ing arhat to do
You are now ready to ask what is propose to do to
prevent the distressing losses of late amongst
our small cassed naval vessels Ipropose to make at
present, but suggestion-tha is, that every narM
uesse should haze one more regular and experienced
coasters alta on board who should receive such
pensation would induce those fully competent to &C
cept the appointment In making the above SUGGESTION
have been actuaed solely by feelings of humanity; and
if shall be instrumental in calling the attention OF the
Navy Department to this important subject, and, with
their superior knowledge and experience in such Matters
way be devised to prevent the numerous
losses of life and property amongst our "naval small
craft shall be fully compensated Tor the lew sugges-
tons have made
Accomack, Va, Sept. 8, 1si7. ACCOMACk