The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-09
THE BLOCKADE.
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MErFICIENCY OF THE BLOCKADE.
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Kewbern, N. G., the Priyateers' Great
Rendezvous.
Interview Between the Captain Of the
British Gunboat Racer and Captain
Mercer, Of the United States
Steamer Wabash, of
Charleston.
The Coast Clear for Ingress
and Egress.
THE PRIVATEERING FLEET.
Names Of Prizes Seized by the
Pirates,
&c &c DC.
THE pRIvATEERING FLEET.
Names Of Prizes Seized by the
Pirates,
QUE NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.

UNITED STATES SrEAM FMGhlR WABASH,
orr CHARLESTON BAR July II, 1861.
The Wabash IF Chdrieso',fnccenc Of the Blockade Of
that Po't-British Gunloo RnerIntespeD Bet,oeem the
Cdrtain Of the Racer and Cdpain Unaccounialle
Conduct Of Captain Mercer after that IaerieuHou DIS
cpline is Enforced Beard the WaJash-C'eayiag fr
Acion-Rocdpt,ue Of a Prize, dc.
As you are aware, the Wabash left the port Of New
York the morning Of May &c. with orders to join the
blDckadng force Of Charleston We arrived at our sta
ton the morning of June T. since which time we have
been engaged guarding the approaches to and from the
port The bockading force here at The time Of our arri
val comprised the United States steamers Flag and Mont
goinery and flagship Minnesota, Commodore S,ringham
Having reported himself to the Commodore and received
his instructions Captain Mercer returned to the Wabash
few days after the Minnesota left for Hampton Roads
leaving here the Wabash and gnnboais Flag AMI Union,
since which time we have kept up the most efficient
blockade of Charleston nothing being allowed to enter or
leave the port The ship Amelia of Charleston tried to
run the boca do under of the night but unable
do account of the wind and in the morning Jnno
49, she in the ofng standing of to again,
but alas for her 1t was too late Captain NJ the Flag
chase and after the Union followed. In the
Of few hours they returned having captured tho ship
Amelia of and for Charleston, from Liverpool. with
general cargo. few more days and we made prize Of
the brig Soerino Of baltimore bound to Charleston from
Rio jenero with cargo OF coffee, and on the day
fred gun and brought to the Spanish ship Angeta from
Ia ccona for Savannah Examined her papers, found
them legitimate and it appearing that the captain knew
nothing OF tho blockade, he permitted TO proceed
TO New York. We also brought to and boarded the
Spanish ship Ne Plus Ultra, from Barcelona for some
Southern port, in ballast She along close by the
land and the Union sent TO intercept her The ship
still stood bodily in for the harbor, and showed deter
imitation Of purpose almost worthy Of success. The Gus
tomary proceeding in such case Is to fire blank
cartridge but tho captain OF the Union seeing that the
ship nearing tho protection Of Fort Moulire
premphv fred shot Mt her Her Spanish pride bit the
dust once and her courage fell below She tackled
and stood toward the Union (hosc people who
Mo iris Island Forts Moultrie and Sumter the
sorrowfu spectators of the scene and at this moment
we esped smoke issuing from Fort Moultris This SEM
a ssenger of intimidation to the little Union, followed
by many successive but very unsuccessful repettons
the Union persisted and brought her prize out almost
Ao under their guns. Here you have specimen Of the
exciting board man -ofwar
There Us a guard Of six men and four marines kept
the lookout every night whose duty 1t is to report any
light sail On the night Of June 20 light
ported ahead seemingly advancing in tho direction Of the
ship nni another astern apparently approaching
The news coon spread through the crew and the oIcer
mmand had both pivot guns cast loose unshipped
The rails foe and aft and out the guns cleared away
the howiizer and prepared to give them lesson in
they had the temerity to within of guns
bit all this in vain, that ii served TO prove the
disposition OF the men. Somen fact nearly a-woEk'
erompaW and seemed ouite ' ptoxcsted with The
hpe Of having shot at the rebel rascals,
while othcrs-a ve.y fcw-skulked away from the
guns because they did not belong to them. Whether
this through cowardice or aziness cannot tell but
they refused 10 assist In preparing the forward
pivot gun saying they did not belong to her. The excite
ment soon passed away and your correspondent was in
few minutes snugly coed in his hammock. We have
been visited since by several United States vessels Of
10 wit The Vandaa sloop-of war which has been
here about here for long time the Roanoke, United
States steam frigatc here for couple Of days She
had dead On board when she arrived; they buried
han that evening the United States steam frigate Coora
do here, also the slo0p jamestown and tho st. Law
renee The St. l. left here few days and when out
sde fired into by Charleston privateer Of
guns How they came to commit such suicidal bundcr
is ncomprehensb!e the result was the st. Lawrence
sunk her and these Of her and officers who survived
tho broadsidc taken North by her, ! believe.
was under the impression when prst here hatwe
were maintaining strict blockade but matters have
light which dsprove it, Ny belief is that hardly
night without vessels from Charleston running
and in accommodating and watching their chances for re-
prsals. To be they must keep TO the land until
they outside, and do the same thing in returning
The water very shallow and the Wabash draws at least
twenty feet she to stay some two or three
miles outside the bar. few gunbcats of light dranght,
with large vessel to command, would be very useful.
wan. your opinion, sir Are our officers true to the
have happened here Of late Some days Britannia
Majcstys grnboat Racer (screw) alongside, and
her captain boarded u.s. conferred with Captain Mercer
and in abou, half hour returned to his ship and went
away, apparently standing further down the coast
Shorty after we lost sight OF her ship hen the only
oe on this satDD) got under way and stood out TO
and there remained FOR fifty hoursong enough for
all the SHIPS in Charleston to make their escape and all
outside to make an easy entrance, If any there we're in
either case.
What. think you could have been the object Of this
nnuvref Or we not allowed to question III Was to
allow those Charleston who desired escape with their
cagoes foreign ports the gauntlet and then
pouncc upon them our lawful prcyr Such may have
been the idea but cannot understand it when
sder that far outside for two whole days and
nights but shall not pronounce Judgment Your readers
OF the North have here positive facts and they must be
the judges Now sir, the last thing have in the OF
news for you is of such nature that II actually pity
that such things should be reported Of government that
lays cain TO the nobles qualities known TO man. 60
vernm mt that pretcnds to extend all people protec
tiOn and justice. But facts stubborn things and
murder will out There board noble ship about
five hundred and fifty efficient men, some eighteen OF
twenty the sick listmarines, and land smen
left New York in good spirits. thinking that was going
TO my country, and that for that reason had
right expect such treatment as worthy of the United
States government; but experience has taught bttor
lessen, one shall forget, and that has tho
roughly dampcned my ardor; one that has also given
such positive the appearance OF things to
the unnitiaed that all the giores of war not only
left the shade but absolutely buried in the dark masses
OF misery which form that contrast Before 60 into de-
tails, let me add that great portion Of crew are
vertaby verdant as to their duties but still they
willing and II properly treated will make good, useful
and irusy Now let US inquire what are the
adopted TO bring about this desirable changer We ind it
tempt at description think it is generally supposed
on shore that since fogging has been abolished
there is punishment in the navy: but an
enlightened and educated people never so grossly
deceived for although foggng Is absolutely prohibited
those who love to punish readily find substitute more
cruelty refined than cato nine tails dare be- Ard
board this ship such punishment inflicted daily for
the simplest causes. man is sent TO the stschon for
two, three four perhaps eighteen twenty hours for
such offence as neglectng any tring duty. Perhaps
You do not know what the stanchon is Iwl try de,
scribe it you 1t is generally uprgh, wooden post
or pillar, serving TO support cross beam Of the deck
above. Ii is about twelve inches square Tn.
pqnisbcd is placed with his back TO this ~ ST. while his
hands and feet manacCd ana fastened behind him.
Tao most refined part Of all is that when thus flsten
ed, cord Is run through staple higher than
his head and then rove through his hand
aTo's ana ";iisd up as 10 bring OIL the
weight ~ body his aud shoulders.
j IS t1" "s BE TO describe this; to understand II
propAf .i4. ri must actually feel it. Three or
i't 50 . 'nted while thus placed, and in many
dtl't ',I were Obliged 10 go the sick u
% horrible. aud il the country ex