Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-12-26
There is no Earthly Use

There Earthly
In our keeping back any item of news from any mo-
tive whatever or of what nature soever or however a
vsabIe or even essential it may be to keep it back Our
Virginia contemporaries some other contemporaries al
ways give the details Of what We accordance with
own notions and the wishes of the military authorities
omit all mention Of
We have for several weeks past made reference to
any vessels running the blockade either by coming
going out Of our harbor We have alluded to the pas
sage of troops in such manner as to give little
information to the enemy. We have avoided all save
Incidental reference 10 our Forts. But what is the
of our doing so? These things are always published
elsewhere.
For instance when a few days since the somewhat
celebrated Steamer Theodore arrived here said moth
ng about it, and in announcing the arrival of Mr. Scott
former Consul at Rio, we merely said that he had
rived at Confederate port BY request the Charles
on papers did not mention uyere the theodore had
rived. But what Of all that We fad the fact
paraded in the leading editorial column Of the
Richmond Enquirer Of yesterday (Monday) that
Mr. Scott had just safely returned to Richmond, having
gone from Rio to Liverpool, from Liverpool to Tene-
rife from TeneriGe to Nassau, and from Nassau in the
steamer Theodore to Wilmington, N. c. Now why
mention the port? Is it not evident that the success OF
any efforts at running the blockade must depend mainly
upon their secrecy. Why advertise them? We beg Of
interior contemporaries in Richmond or elsewhere to
bear this in mind
81 the way, now that tis thing has been published
10 the world without our agency, we may as well give
slight sketch Of the last perous trip Of the Theodore,
with which we have been kindly furnished by gentle
man who was on board Of that vessel. Although in
our possession for some days. we declined publishing it,
but, as we said before, there is earthly in our
keeping anything back
The steamer Theodore left Charleston on the night Of
Thursday Dec. 9th 1861, bound for one Of the West
India Islands. The night was beautiful, the sea as
smooth as glass, the only thing visible was light to
seward supposed to be board of the bockaders
But Saturday morning told another tale-a dangerous
storm was approaching, and burst over the yes
sci in all its fury. BY six O'Clock in the morning it
blew with terrific violence from the North East wave
after wave threatening to sink the Theodore but the
gallant little steamer bore it well. Occasionally sea
would sweep her little deck fore and aft. But our no
bic captain took her in charge and succeeded in making
her lay easy PROFESSIONALLY better, cooler or more
perseverng captain never trod the deck of vessel
Through his perseverance and that of the engineer the
steamer brought into port of safety.
The steamer commenced leaking awfally and had
nearly three feet water in the hold. Two steam pumps
and all hands bang with buckets were unable to free
her Of the water, which kept gaining fast. At this
critical moment the worthy engineer rushed immediate
down to the fire room, and seeing that the pumps
were not able to keep her afoa cut the vacuum injec
ton pipe, which was the saving of the boat and al
hands board and the only resort to keep the boat
rom sinking.
BY Sunday night the storm had increased to its high
est PITCH but the boat did not make over foot and
half Of water owing to the three pumps then working
On Sunday night she stove in her forward guards
damaged the stern considerably Boats were got ready
and every thing prepared to leave the vessel if it be
came apparent til at she would sink, but on Monday
morning the gale moderated little which enabled thu
steamer to make Roadway. This day at IL O'Clock
made land it being Little Abaco Island Zone of the Ba
hamas) which filed every heart with JOY BY s o'cocl
Tuesday morning the 10th Instant anchored in Mas
sau harbor in a sinking condition, looking more like
raft than the notorious Theodore, called by the Yankee
''The Black Witch"
On Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18th, the Theodor
weighed anchor and steamed for one Of the Souther
ports.
She had the best weather that could have been wishe
for. The was made from land to land in ffy-f;
hours. Last night uight Of Thursday the l9th) abou
8 O'Clock, PASSED large Steamer bound South Til
morning (Friday 2Oh) had pleasant little chas
with of Old Abe's fast Steamers but finding that
was CO. he salued with three guns but did not
the damage be calculated Oh, his shot falling about
mile short The Captain of the Theodore returned tt
salute by giving the Abeite three blows Of his whist
and dipping his flag. L. Y.
The Theodore got up to town on Friday afternoon
and the above narrative has been in our possession eve
since Saturday. but for the reasons stated has not bee
published sooner, and never would have been publishes
but for the flourish made in Richmond over The arriv
of Mr.. Ex-consul Scott. The account was courteous
furnished by oficer-nelher captain nor engineer
the Theodore.
Contributions.
We take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of
box Of clothing sent by the Ladies Soldiers Aid an
Relief Society" of Robson County, to our care ft
Company A, ID Regiment n. G. State Troops III
box has been placed in charge of the committee he
who have been making up clothing for Company A, an
will be duly forwarded by said committee to The Con
pany. 1t is valued at about $3.50.
aCl-o olyy ID. H.. - ~