New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-24
DESTRUCTION OF WAR VESSELS AT Cos
PORT MAYNARD.

ARRIVAL OF THE SIEAM-1Du fhNNtb'
The steamtug Yankee, GERMAN, from Charleston
Bar 18TH via Norfolk 2lst p M, arrived Oh Tuesday
afternoon with three passengers from the NavyYarda at
Gospor She has had very heavy weather both on the
outward and home passage. Lost smoke-stack and
received considerable other damage.
On arriving al Charleston Bac, and finding the fleet
had gone put for Norfolk; arrived there lIh at p NJ,
and hndug a movement on foot 10 seize the boat, pro-
ceeded TO the NavyYard and placed the steamer uader
the United States guns. On the IN. hs Cn''oin-
House officers came 10 seize her, When the Coliho-
dore of the Yard refused TO give her up saying, II
they ATTEMPTED TO take her 10y iOce, be would blow
her out OF water before they could reach Norfolk,
which qrieted che mob who had eongrega'ed
The Yankee took the Cumberland III tow to Fortress
Monroe; ON the way, che grounded on Orls Leland,
and was two hours getting her OIL.
TIE Seceslionsts observing the escape of the Cum
berland commenced obstructng the channel below
her. After towing the irigae, we proceeded 10 New
York. .
The Pawnee left Washington last Friday night with
an extra detachment OF officers, and marines with
Fag-oAicer Paullug board and proceeded TO Fort
ress Monroe where sbe received the llrd Massdb u-
setts regiment just arrived hence for lie Navy ara ~
Gosport II was found at Gospor that the officers III
charge had commenced destroying the public property
finding it would fall into the hands OF the enemy.
They had scutted all the ships the Cumberland beng
the only slip in commssion cut down The shears, anu
rendered most Of the other property ustlets'
The object of the riot having been partly
frustrated by scuttling the ships, 1t was
intended that the Federal forces thould leave.
preparatons were made TO make the demolition COM
ule TO blow up the dock and burn the property, all
thiugs to be ready at day light. The Pawnee with III
Cumberland in tow, as, listed 10y the Yankee, start
ed and after passing the Nayy-iard, sent up
a rocket, "A proconoerted signal To appl, tie
match, and in instant, ships, ship-bouses and
store houses were ia flames, and raTilly did they
spread that Commander Rogers of the navy aud Capt
Wright of the engineers, were unable TO reach the
point Of rendezvous, where the boat was
waiting, and were necessarily left behind.
Among the most valuable property destroyed were
the line-of-battle ships NEwioRK on the, stocksi
MERRIMAcK, first-class screw; GERNAsTowS, floop-
of-war, Just ready for sea- PLYMOUTH and DOLPHIN,
brigs; also the PEsSsYLyAYIA, Column. and Poro-
MAC figdtes; COLUMBUS and DELAYS, liners, all Of
the last named being huks aud nearly w,sthless.
Large quantities Of proysiOne, corduge and ma
chinery were aso destroyed beside buildings OF great
value but ia not positively known that the dock was
blown mp.
The burning Of the Navy-Yard at Norfolk was done
| by the Union men, who in II majority, but COM
| paratively unarmed. The Cumberland was 90 men
short of her complement when the Pawnee up 10
| the Navy-Yard. Both the Cumberland and Merrimack
Law broadsde TO Ter with guns loaded thinking she
was in the hands of the Sc essiOnsls. Ga board the
Pawnee an opinion prevailed that similar state OF
affairs existed board those ships, and ste was ready
accordingly.
When the Cumberland hailed "what steamer il
that T. the answer the u. y steamer Pawnce The
cheering on board the vessels and shore told how
satisfactory this reply was.
The Union men employed III the Navy Yard cut down
the haQ-staff 70 it could not be used by the enemy.
The guns in the Navy-lard aud at st. Helena were
spiked
The Yankee has gone to the Navy-Yard at Brooklyn.