The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-13
CAPTAIN McCOwAN's REPORT.

NEw YoRE, JAN IL 1861. !
NJ. O. EoBEI1s, ESQ -
sr-Aftcr leaving the wharf on the 5th inst, at nvc
NJ, we proceeded down the bay, where we hove to
and took on board four officers and two hundred soldiers
with their arms ammunition &C. and then proceeded to
sea, crossing the bar at Sandy Hook at nine r. ".
Nothing unusual place during the passage, which
was a pleasant one for this Of the year.
We arrived Off Charleston bar at halfpa one A. NJ.
on the sh but could find guiding marks for the bar
as the lights were all out We proceeded with caution
running very slow and sounding until about four A. NJ
being then in four and half fathoms OF water when
discovered light through the haze which at that time
covered the horizon Concluding that the light was on
Fort Sumter after getting the bearings of it we stool TO
the W. for the main ship channel where We hove to to
await daylight, our lights having been all put out since
twelve O'Clock TO avoid being As the day began
who as scon as she saw us burned blue Light and
two red lights signals and shortly after steamed
the bar and into the ship channel
The soldiers were now all put below, and no one al.
lowed on the deck except own crew As soon as
there was light enough TO see we crossed the bar
and proceeded on up the channel Cthe outer bar
buoy having been taken away the steamer ahead Of
sending OF rockets and burning lights until after broad
daylight continuing her course up two miles
ahead Of W. When We arrived about two miles from
Fort Moultre, Fort Sumter being about the dis
tancc masked battery Norris Island, whero there
was red Palmetto fag flying, opened fire upon US the
distance being about lve-eghths Of mile we had the
American flag flying at 6agstaf at the time,
and soon after the Arst shot hosted large American
ensign a, the fore. We continued under the fire Of
the battery for over ten minutes, several Of the shot
going clear over US just passed clear Of the pilot
house. another passed between the smoke stack and the
walking beam Of the engine; another struck the ship
lust abaft the fore rigging and stove in the plankng
another shot came within an ace Of carrying
away the rudder At the same timc there
| was movement Of two steamers from near Fort
Noultrc, one Of them towing schooner Il presume
armed schooner with the intention Of cutting us OF.
Our position now became rather critical as we had to
approach Fort Moultre TO within three quarters Of mile
| approaching us with an armed schooner in tow,
| and the battery the island firing at us all
| the time, AMI having cannon TO defend our
| selves from the attacks Of the vessels, We con
cuded that 10 avoid certain capture destruction We
| would cndeavor TO got 70 sea- Consequently we wore
round and stood down the channel the battery firing
us until their hot fell short; IL was now strong ebb
tide and the water having fallen three feet, We
proceeded with caution and crossed the bar safely
at fifty minutes pas. eight A. NJ, and continued
| on our course fer ibis port, where we arrived
this Saturday morning, after bosterous pas
| sage steamer IRON Charleston followed us for
about three hours, watching movements In justice
to the officers and Of each department Of the ship,
must add tha, theI behavior while undor The fire Of
the battery reflected grolt credit on them.
Mr. Brewer, The New York pilot, was Of very srea,
assistance TO me IN helping pilot the ship Charles
ton bar and up and down the channel.
Very respectfully, your obedicnt servant
j. MCGOWAN, Captain.