The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26

TO have claimed century as her age and had the claim
allowed Her sails yellow aud her rigging innocent
OF late coating OF At her quarters hung the
full and fleet whaleboas, looking fresh and new as
from the builders hands. These evidently con-
sdered the guns Of the ship though below sho had many
valuable stones--for their purpose. sti with all her
want OF beauty and the freshness Of youth seemed sad
70 think that she TO be put to gnomnious use
after long career Of usefulness but she is to co.
Towing her along at an easy pace, wc soon passed tho
bar, and Dame Fortune anchor just outside, to
wait the hour OF fnal departure.
We then rapidly back and took in tow the Rebecca
smms, also of New london and towes her over the bar
when she also camo TO anchor.
The day was nearly consumed in getting these two
vessels out, and II dark when got the William
Lee, hne old ship, safely the bar, when We, too
came TO anchor for The night.
During the day tho Cahawha, on which was Captain G.
Davis, Fleet Captain of the South Atlantic Blockadng
Squadron, who had been detailed the command Of the
expedition, engaged IN towing out vessels, as were
the Ericsson Philadelphia Petit (ug) and tho Mohi
and Pocahontas (men-of war; Al nine O'Clock six
teen Of the robble feet the bar besides two
which had come in from sea belonging TO the second
stone feet for Charleston.
During the evening Lieutenant White, Of the Ottawa,
visited several ofe Ships one Of which proved to be
stone leo, She had been seized short time since
On the charge of attng out SLAYER and condemned
the goverament buying her and applying her to this
purpose As she is in good oyder and well
fitted out she win doubtless be used in
Fort Royal barbor az a coal ship she viii not accom-
pany TO ocharlesioD but viii proceed III the harbor,
aud report TO the Gag officer.
The n,ght passed quietly enough. AT al early
hour this morning the leet got under weigh nearly
al standing north, under sail. The wind was
very light, and there was little prospect Of Any
Of them reaching Charleston time to begin opera
tons to-day and here we are, lying at anchor, at mid
night with only six seven Of the neet here the balance
being somewhere between aAs and Port Royal, witht
light breeze to push them moa.
The Cahawba Captain psvis (nagship), towed twoup
the Philadelphia two others and the Ericsson three W.
hope to see them al hero by daylight tomorrow r.orn
ing.
The Mohican pocahonas and tho ortawa sosethc
with the Florida, augusta, and bark Gem Of tb
Seas, constituting the blockadng squad on Of
this port, form the naval force to co.operat
in the work Of settling the ships and projecting thos
Immediately engagel from any attack from the rebels
Two boats were sent this evening from tiG Cahawba
by Captain navsfvth Mr. Godfrey tho pilot find tn
channel and bar and also to discover the par whc
we were to sink the ships. The otawas first cutter
| properly armed, in charge Of MT. McDonsal Master
Mate was senth TO protect the cahawbas boats from
boat attack lf'one should be asssnped The boats
turned after two three hours absence after havn
made sore progress in their vovx. We finish tn
soundings III the morning, and hope ocgn our work
| sinking the shit by noon 10 morrow
| We passed end exchanged signals with the Jaroe
Adger when aa3ut Eve mica from Port Royal bar
morning, and afterwards spoke the ertbcat wyando
bound 70 Pori Royal When 81 North iisto we sigrl
| lied the ruil1ost Penguin, eioJssdina int river
Tho weather continues most propi,ioss for our worl
The nights afisr The moon risss, Sufficiently lrt
enable us TO work o. nights when necessary the win
is light and OFF shore, and there scarcely ripple .,c
tho Ncbstter time could be selected ft,r the gtp
cessul carfyl out OF object and Il the wealth.
viii but continue twenty four hours io2ger one cham
| viii be closcd Our guns cast }ocBe and ready II
| action tsnisit, and the watch siE armed for ar
| emergency.