Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-01-24
Statement Of Captain McGowan.
The following is an official account of th
rim of the Star of the West:

SSAsS~A~SAS
The following is an official account of the
trip of the Star of the West:
STEAMSHIP STAR OF THE WEST,
New York, Jan. IL, 1861.
NJ. O. ROBERTS, Eso.-S1R: After
leaving the wharf on the 5th inst, at
O clock p. m., We proceeded down the bay,
where we hove to, and took on board four
officers aud 200 soldiers, with their arms,
ammunition, &c., and then proceeded to
sea, crossing the bar at Sandy Hook at 9
p. IN. Nothing unusual took place during
the passage, which was pleasant o-eo fol-
the season of the year.
We arrived at Charleston bar at l.30 a.
m., OIL the 9th instant, but could find nc
guiding marks for the bar, as the lights
were all out. We proceeded with caution,
running very slow, and sounding until a.
bout a. m., being then in four and hall
fathoms of water, when We discovered a
light through the haze which at that time
covered the horizon. Concluding that the
lights were at Fort Sumter, after getting
the bearings of it, we steered to the South
west for the main ship channel, where we
hove to, to await daylight, our ligths hav'
ing all been put out since IL o'clock, to
avoid being seen.
AS the day began to break, We discoV'
cred steamer just in shore Of US, which,
as soon as she saw US, burned one blue
light and two red lights, as signals, and
shortly after steamed over the bar and into
the ship channel. The soldiers were now
all put below, and no one allowed on the
deck except our own crew. As soon az
there was light enough to see, We crossed
the bar and proceeded on up the channel,
(the water bar buoy having been taken
away,) the steamer ahead of US sending of
rockets and calcium lights, until after
broad daylight, continuing on her course
up near two miles snead of US. When we
arrived about two miles from Fort Moultrie
Fort Sumter being about the same distance
masked battery, on Morris Island, where
there was red Palmetto flag, opened fire
upon us-distance about ive.eights of 8
mile. We had the American flag flying al
our flagstaff at the time, aud soon after the
first shot, hoisted large American ensign
at the fore. We continued on under the
fire Of the battery, for over ten minutes, sew
eral of the shots going clear over u.s. Oue
just passed clear of the pilot house An
other passed between the smoke stack anc
walking beams of the engine. Another
struck the ship just abaft the foreriggiug
and stove ip the plarking, while another
came within an ace of carrying away tht
rudder. At the same time there was {;
movement of two steamers from near For
Moultrie, one of them towing schooner
| q presume an armed schooner,) with th'
intention of cutting US off, Our position
now became critical, as we had to approach
Fort Moultire to within three. e.fourths of
mile, before we could keep away for For
Sumter.
A steamer approaching US with an armed
schooner in tow, and the battery on th'
island firing at US all the time, and having
no cannon to defend ourselves from th'
attack of the vessels, We concluded that tt
avoid certain capture or destruction, VI
would endeavor to get to sea. Consequent!
we wore round and steered down the chan
mel, the battery firing upon US, until thei
shot fell shcrt. As it was now strong ebt
tide, aud the water having fallen some
three feet, we proceeded with caution, anc
crossed the bar safely, at $50 a. M, aue
continued on our course, for this port, where
we arrived this morning, after boisterou'
passage. A steamer from Charleston wa'
about three hours watching our movements
In justice to the officers and crew of eacf
department of the ship, | must add tina
their behavior while under the fire of tht
ba terry reflected great credit on them.
Mr. Brewer, the New York pilot, VA
Of very great assistance to me, in helping
to pilot the ship over the Charleston ba
and up and down the channel.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
j. MCGOWAN, Captain.
Incidents Of the Affairs Of the Star O