Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-18
The Capture fIhe Propeller Fanny-stat,
ment of Captain Morrison.

The following communication from Cap.
tain ]. H, Morrison, master of the propeller
Fonny, which was captured by the rebels at
Chicamicomico on the lst inst, presents his
account of the affair:
The propeller Fanny, owned by the Phila
delphia Transportation Company, and com.
msnded by me, was chartered at Pbiladel-
phia as a transport, by Lieutenant Crosby, of
the navy, about the lst of July. Myself and
crew were shipped to manage the transport.
On arriving at Fortress Monroe the Fanny
was armed with two rifle guns, one a six and
the other a nine-pounder; after which she
was employed in various expeditions where
a light. t.draught steamer was requisite. Ia all
these, among which may be mentioned that
of Black River and Cherrystone Inlet we
were successful. When the expedition was
sent down to Hatteras Inlet the Fanny was
employed as one of the gun. boats, and was
the first TO enter Hatteras Inlet.
After the success of this expedition was
established, the control of the Fanny was
given to Captain Rowan, of the Pdwnee, and
Colonel Hawkins of the Z9uaves, and the
boat employed in various duties about the
sound.
In order to show that myself and crew
were not recognized by the Government as
officer or seameD, but simply in charge Of the
propeller for the purpose of navigating her,
/ will state that W hen the expedition to Ocra-
coke Inlet was planned, my crew declined
to 90 unless it was stipulated that if any of
them fell their families should be cared for
bv the Government. Captain Rowan prom
ised to see to this, and we left on that expedi-
tion under Lieutenants Maxwell and East
man, on which, fortunately, no lives were
lost.
Previous to this time, and shortly before
her loss, the FdnnyS gun crew consisted of
experienced men from the naval brigade,
who we'll understood the management Of
guns and were good fighters. When the
Fanny was sent to Chicamicomico on the
29th ult, she went in company with the Put
nam and Serious to transport the Indiana reg
iment 10 that point. After transferring them
to the shore the Putnam was left behind to
act as guard boat, and furnished with nine
pound rifle gun from the Fanny, after which
the latter and the Serious returned to Hat
teras Inlet.
On the morning of the lst inst. the Fanny
was loaded with stores of valuable charac-
ter, consisting of clothing, medicines, and
one hundred boxes of cartridges, in addition
to two hundred pounds of powder in her
msgszine. The Fanny was then ordered to
Chicamicomico to deliver her stores, but no
convoy was sent with her. Her gun crew
consisted of ten men of Hswkins's Zouaves,
under Sergeant Major Peacock. There were
also on board thirty-fve men of the Indiana
regiment, who were under command of Cap.
tain Hartt--he, being the only captain on
board, had charge of the boat
l arrived off Chicamicomico about one
o'clock, and laid at anchor about two and q
half miles from shore in about six feet of wa
ter. The Putnam then came alongside, de.
lveIed the FGnnyS rifle cannon, and left for
Hatteras Inlet. 1t was not until half-past
three o'clock that any movement was made
by the troops on shore to remove the cargo
of the Fanny. | had but two boats while
they had large lighter and a number of
csnoes, with which the cargo could have
readily been removed in a short time.
Finally the commanding officer of the Indi-
ana regiment came off in a canoe with
lighter and took off cargo of goods for ina
mediate use. About half-past four o'clock |
saw the rehei side-wheel steamer NOrthamp.
ton beading from Roanoke Island directly to-
ward us; shortly after | saw two smaller
boats, propellers, one heading TO cut off our
retreat and the other 80 as to get ahead of
US. The side wheel steamer was about two
hundred and fifty tuns burden and had two
thirty two-pounders forward. The other
vessels we're about one hundred and twenty
tuns and each armed with one twenty-four-
FOUNDER cannon, capable OF throwing sixty
four pound shot.
The powder l had on freight was stored in
shell exploding into it would have blown the
vessel TO atoms Besides this, my boiler was
on deck and insUtiiciently protected against
shot from cannon.
When the approach of the rebel steamers
was perceived Captain Hartt asked me what
had better be done. | declined TO assume
any authority in the premises, as he was the
con msnder Of the expedition, and RESPONSE
be. He Hefrally ordered the men to throw
the cartridges overheard, went aft and low
ered a boat to 90 ashore, as he said, for as.
slstance. To this course / objected and in,
sisted that he should remain ia charge of his
uen, as ] was not willing TO assume any re.
sponsibi'ity. The rebels opened fire, which
we returned with nile shots, which fell short,
save ore, which struck one boat ia the bow.
| tLen took my son, Who was lying sick in
his berth, ard with a boats crew pulled
ashore. AS | left, Captain Hartt suggested
10 the mate that he had better slip the cable
and run the ship ashore. | was about five
hundred yards from the Fanny when the
cable was clipped, bUt she struck immedi.
ately. Alter she struck Sergeant Major Pea
cock run up the white flag. This was a sig
Lal that all had been done that could be, and
the remainder Of the crew took the spare
boat and left.
The rebels, by this surrender, came into
possession of one of the best assorted cargoes
and every thing on board save thirty cases
of cartridges, which were thrown overheard.
To have attempted to defend the Fanny
under the circumstances would have been
madness. The gun crew knew nothing of
guDnery, and / think the Indiana troops on
board knew little better. We had enough
time from one o'clock to halfpsst four to
have discharged every portion OF the cargo
of the Fanny, and the vessel been destroyed
had we received assistance from the Indi-
anians on shore. | can not but feel that il
was their neglect to assist us that the loss OF
the Fdrny may be attributed. Nor do
think II was policy in Captain Rowan or
Colonel Hawkins 70 have sent the Fanny 10
ChicamicoDico without an escort of sufficient
guard on board when she had so valuable a
cargo.
Upon my return to Hatteras Inlet made
report Of the loss to Captain Rowan, and on
Friday, 4th instant, went up to Hampton
Roads with my crew. Here / reported to
General Mansfield, and detailed the circum-
stances of the capture of the FannU He
acquitted me from blame, and furnished me
and my crew with passes TO Philadelphia.
1t is true | am not nor have been recog-
nized by the Navy Department as com
mandsr OF the Fanny. She has never been
regularly commissioned as a gun-boat al
though doing nearly three months active and
successful duty as such, Neither have my
crew been recognized by the Department.
and, If myself 9T any of my crew had faller