Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-04-27
FROM NORFOLK.

The Demolition Of the Nary Yard Destruc-
ito" Of the Vessels Of IFGr.-Ihe Act Ac
compiished by the Union Men, Commodore
Royers and Captain Wright Left Behind
List Of Tessels Destroyed.
New YoRK, April 23.-The steam tug
ldnkee has arrived from Norfolk. She
reports that on arriving at Norfolk, on the
AFTERNOON Of the 18th, finding that there was
a movement on foot to seize her, she proceed
ed to the Yavy Yard, and took protection
under the guns of the battery. On the 18TH
the Custom House officers OF the State caUs
to seize the Yankee, but the Commodore
refused to yield her up, saying that il they
attempted to take her by force he would blow
her out of water before they could reach
Norfolk. This quieted the mob who had
coDgregated.
The Yankee took the Cumberland in tow
Tor Fortress Monroe. On the way she
grounded Oh "OIrls" Island, and the Yankee
was two hours getting her Off
The SecessIonlsts observing the escape Of
the Cumberland commenced obstruct,ng the
channel below her. Alter towitg the lrIgute
the Yankee proceeded to New York.
The Pawn e left Washington last Friday
men aud marines, with flag officer Pauldiug
on board, and proceeded to Fortress Monroe,
where she received the Sd Massachusetts
Regiment, just arrived hence to the NAVY
Yard at Gosport.
1t was found al Gosport that the officers
in charge had commenced destroying the pub.
llc property, finding it would fall into the
hands OF the enemy. They had scutiled all
the ships. The Cumberland being the only
ship IN commission, cut down the shears, and
rendered most OF the other property useless.
The object OF the rioters having been par.
TALLY frustrated by the scutling of the ships,
II was intended that the Federal forces should
leave. Preparations were made to render
the demolition complete, to blow up the dock,
aud burn the property, all things TO be ready
al daylight.
The Pawnee, with the Cumberland in tow,
assisted by the Yankee, started and after
passing the Navy Yard, sent up rocket
perconcerted signal to apply the match
aud, in an instant, ships, ship houses, and
store houses, were in flames.
Large quantities of provisions. cordago and
machinery were also destroyed, besides build
lngs OF great value, but it is not positively
known that the dock was blown up.
The burning Of the Navy Yard at Norfolk
was done by the Union men, who are in u
majority but comparatively uparmed. The
Cumberland was 60 short of her complement.
when the PaVnee came up TO the Navy
I ard, both the Cumberland and Merrimac
lay broadslde to her with guns loaded, think
ing she was 10 the hands of the Secessiousts
On Board the PawDee 40 opinion prevailed
that asmilar state Of affairs existed on board
those ships, aud the crew were ready accord
iugly.
So rapid was the progress of the conhagra'
tion that Commodore Rogers of the Navy
and Capt. Wright of the Engineers, were
unable to reach the point Of rendezvous,
where the boat was in waiting, AID were ne.
cessarily left behind
Among the most valuable property de-
stroyed were the line of battle ship New
York, on the stocks Merrimac. first class
screw; Germantown sloop of war, just ready
for sea Plymouth and Dolphin, briggs also
the ship OF the line Pennsylvania and Co
lumbia and Potomac, frigaes Columbus
and Delaware. liners, all Of the last named
| being hulks aud nearly worthless.
When the Cumberland hailed :-"What
steamer is that 7" the answer was, the u. S
steamer Pawnee. The cheering on board the
vessel and on shore told how satisfactory this
reply was.
The Union men employed in the Navy
Yard cut down the flag staff. so it could not
be used by the enemy.
The guns in the Navy Yard at st. Helena
were spiked.
The stesm.tug Yankee reports that the
Pswnee and Keystone State left Norfolk 70.
Washington, with the marines from the
barracks and the crew of the Penpsy Iva MIA,
and would be due there this morning.