The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-15

|
hundred shell with several tons OF service powder BY
this arrival IL would seem that active service will soon
be the order Of the day in Commodore Goldsboroughs
department have heard 1t said these sent
the purpose of erecting naval land batteries on
the James river Others say they intended
vice the Rip Rars whore these guns would or could
be brought play the batteries at Sewals Point and
thus conjunction with such ships as might be- sent
up to open facing Are upon them.
These guns, manned by sailors, aided by the Sawyer
gun at that place. would have the effect to the rebels
from their advance batteries, that the ships could be
placed in position without having to contend with the
heavy navy guns mounted at the three gun battery which
Is the first to open vessel she approaches from the
Roads Next to the three gun battery is battery which
mounts nine heavy guns four other batteries tho
point and they are formidable ones can assure you. or
this matter shall write more at another time.
Last evening flag Of truce down bringing sixty
persons; among tho number gentleman who
brings the following ntellgence0 On Wcdnesday.evening
| last an informal machine was sent down from
Sewals Point for the purpose Of blowing up
the flagship. She came down 10 the ship without any
difficulty but she caught in the graphing always hanging
from the Jibboom end Of the ship. This taken by
those inside for the chain cable when they thought
they under tho bottom Of the ship, they made pre-
parations for screwng the torpedo on the blge, but to
their SURPRISE they found they sadly mistaken and
they near losing their lives well the machine
They however escaped and worked themselves shore
on rebel ground, and the machine was carted back to
| Norfolk, to try the experiment at some future time
From tho gentleman who made the statement l learn
tho following particulars in relation to the machine He
states that 1t Is built Of iron, of similar shape to the
Ross Wnans scgar boat, OF sufficient capacity
rnodate two persons who work it ahead by Of
ballasted by of water let in and forced by
means of pump. compass guides them and volo-
cimeter shows how great distance is run zach moment
Bearings ana courses are given the and they
hazardous voyage, with large chance Of accomplish
ment An indiarubber tube, which is foated the
face furnishes them with fresh air while force pump
forces out the foul air TN arriving the place desired
grapple catches the cable Of vessel and the machine
vecred away until il supposed il is near one of the
magazines the water ballast is then pumped and the
machine floats under tho ships bottom. BY of
india rubber sucking plate this machine is attached the
bottom OF the ship, while manhoe plate is opened and
the torpedo is screwed into the vessel II is fired by the
means of a time fuse AS this is set in motion
the inside place prepared sheet Of rubber the
manhoe, and while one let's the water into the compart
men TO sink the machine, the other person screws up
tho plate the grappe let and the Internal machine
IL lett TO explode, while the machine is worked in shore
out Of harms way Commodore Godsborough Is inform
cd Of this article and will Of all the preca
tons prevent which would prove 80 dis
astrous to Inc ship and of much importance to the
enemy
The storeshp Benjamin Morgan is to be hauled into
the cove, and lifted naval hospital ship She has
been coal depot, and the coal Is of her
| she will be moved into her winter quarters.
The ). r. Spaulding will return to Hateras this
| ing. She will carry down Brigader General Williams
Lieutenant G. De Kay, Fifth artillery, will accompany
him as his aid-decamp. Lieutenant De Kay is the bro
ther Of Captain Drake DO Kay, Abide Camp to General
Mansfield Captain lie Kay also goes down to join Gene
raj Mansfield IN the selection of General Williams to
have been appointed. He combines all the requisites of
| good soldier and officer.
During his stay here no has endeared himself to all
who have been Drought into connection with him. He
assumes post where the most sound judgment is re-
qured, and we feel that he is fully competent to put
! things in shape as he gets there.
We have for expecting reinforcements at this
post very OF course it is not duty how
many or The precise character of the to arrive but
| one thing Is cvdent-the frequent calls for troops
for this department through the columns the HERALD
have not boon unhecded, and each day will bring its
quota Prospects Frightening for active campaign
! in these parts.
We learn from a late Richmond paper that r. NJ
shurtG artist Of the New York Illustrated Ne,ns has
Il N med n mjssl i'm Richn npIap and
i will soon be discharged. the ground of being
combatant His numerous friends will rejoice at this
piece of good intelligence. His health is good, and
| shall expect to see HIM before many days.
The follow ing ships at anchor the Roads-Mnne-
sofa, agshp susquehanna, Daylight Lockwood, Young
America Congress- Cumberland and the usual number of
| storcshipS.
Lieutenant j. p Bankhcad late executive officer Of the
Susquehanna has to New York for orders II is
supposed that he will command of the gunboats
finer officer does tread vessels deck hei a tho
| rough seaman and an accomplished officer.
OUR HATTERAs INLET CORRESPONDENCE
! FoRr CLARK HArrERAs INLET, N c., Oct. Q, 1861.
Tremendous Capitalization Of the Steamer s. H. Spaul
ding-Ddn9er Of Fort Hatieras Being Washed A,cay i,
I Winter Go,es-7he Talue Of the Position at Hatteya
Destroyedty the Iaactirity Of the Goresament-Neces
gfa Large Numbcref Light DraugM Gaaooats Immediate
| iy-Ow Position IN North Carofina--Runors Of n
Landing Of the Enemy Near the Lisht,ouse-Lieutenan
| Brdine-ho'cer IF Governors to Transfer OGcevs-A,
Interesting Questionable Enen,y's Loss from the Mont
ce,lo'S Fus-Captaia Hoves, de-
The detention Of tho s. r. Spauding by heavy
northeascr gives opportunity send additions
items of intelligence to those contained my last letter.
Tho storm has ragged oryeight hours with great
fury, prostrating the tents Of the soldiers, who
| still remain under canvass, and making camp lii,
| dreary and disagreeable. The wind to-day seem.
| to have gained redoubled strength. and hardl,
barrack that is not wet from tho drivn,
rain The sea comes in upon this low sandy island witt
tremendous power, and in some places washes entrel,
the sand spit and mngcs its waters with the com
paratvey quiet water OF Pamlco Sound Its effects arr
palmer Fort atteras where the swift tide driver
by the heavy gale rapidly encroachng upon the san,
the FORT threatening to undermine distant da,
that work 1t is very doubtful whether anything will be
lett to show the site Of Fort Haeras by next spring Thu
winter gales here terrific the seas frequentl,
wash over the sand spit cut inlets through il
Hatteras Inlet did not exist dozen years ago, tina
may be filed up and new made between Fort Clarl
and Hatteras We all trust that this not to be win
ter quarters for onr soldiers They would hardly survv,
| stormy season. We must winter the mainland anC
the gain tootholi the better.
The value of this position has been lost or materially
deprecated by the neglect of the authorities to follow HI
the gained by its capture There was too much
clap trap about the Affair The General who commanded
the land forces and who had little with the sue.
of the operation the common soldier was by far
anxious to exhibit his anres the gaze Of the New
England public for tue pubics good Instead OF follow.
ing up the advantage gained by profitable and more
| successful movements into the heart Of the enemy s
country The rebels had recovered the stunning
| blow received AT Hatteras, see the grand feet
dispersed, and handful OF men left to garr-
| the forts and act upon the defensive
The enemy knew and felt that had the KEY to their
state hands and needed but the effort to omen The
State TO victorious columns We held the result for
| better or worse in hands We chose inactivity
and vanglorous boasting OF what did, and the
golden opportunity Slipped from very grasp Now
we find ourselves, cripped and the defensive. The
Sound IS covered with the cnemys gunboats and our
weak and inefficient Heet ventures into the Sound with
doubts and fears. One boat has been captured and
battalion Of men forced to retreat long stretch Of
hot deep sand from their position leaving all they had
IN camp to the enemy. so we stand day The enemy
has strengthened every weak point, and threatens
| to sweep from hard earned position
While tho enemy has twenty well armed light drancht
gunboas upon the Sound, and Roanoke Island strongly
fortified with force Of which may be transported
in twenty hours 10 portion Of the coast we are
obliged to Ito decnces and valuable time
in inactivity and incidence What is imperatvely needed
hereaDd the the authorities realize the better
men, light battery of artillery and dozen
light draught gunboats, heavily armed drawing over
four feet and as fast possible With these, may
sconr The sound, capture the enemy gunboats take
Roanoke Island and thereby gain splendid and secure
harbor for our notia from fierce gales, and destroy
ing the canal bctween Norfolk and Albemarle