The Nevada Democrat., 1861-12-24
Aepada 9etnufrat.
The Great stone Fleet

Ine OreOg STONE rIeeg
The great stone feet, or feet of vessels
laden with stone for sinkin g in southern har
bors and sealing them up, sailed on NOvem.
ber 10th, from New London and New Bed.
ford, where the vessels we're fitted out. By
this time, wind and weather permitting, the
ports of Charleston and Savannah are pref
ty thoroughly blockaded. This to Secession
will be the severest blow of all, and will
make the cities thus closed desolate wastes;
for years must elapse before these ports can
be opened again. 1t will be terrible bnt
just retribution. The New York Tribune
says Of the feet:
They are all old but substantial whaling
vessels, double-decked, to give them greater
firmness. They we're stripped OF their cop
per and other fittings, which were not me-
cessary for so short voyage as they will
make, and loaded with picked stone, as deep
ly as was safe.
In the bottom of each ship a hole was
bored, into which was fitted a lead.pipe
five inches 10 diameter, with a valve 30
fixed that though perfectly safe even for
a long voyage, it can be very quickly re.
moved It is calculated that the ship will
be filed and sunk to the bottom in twenty
minutes after the removal of this valve.
The crews consist of six men each. These
will be returned by the men-of-war who
will be anchored 10 the place chosen for her,
and will then be sprung round broadside to
the channel, thus efecting as great stop
=. H. = l.
she is in position, the valve will be with
drawn, and when the vessels is nearly level
with the water's edge, the men will leave
in small boat. 1t is reported that an en-
terprising rigger has gone down with the
feet, with the intention of taking off what
pieces of spars and rigging may remain
above the waters edge after the ships are
sunk.
Each captain received on the day he sail
ed sealed orders, not to be opened till after
the pilot left bis vessel. The following is a
copy in blank of these orders. If the blanks
we've filed, the enemy might know too soon
where the feet is bound,
SECRET ORDERS.
"To Captain, Sir: The--,now un-
der your command, having been purchased by
the Navy Department, for service on the south
ern coast of the United States, the following
are your orders for your proposed voyage:
You will proceed from this port on-,the
instant, or the first fair wind, and when
clear of the land make direct passage to the
port Of, and there deliver your ship to
the commanding officer Of the blockading feet
off said port, taking his receipt for her to return
to me. After the delivery of your vessel, your
self and crew will be provided passages to the
port of New York, by the Navy Department,
and on arrival there you will call on -, who
will furnish you funds 10 return to this port.
On the voyage down it would be well, as far
as practicable, to keep in company with your
consorts, to exhibit lights by night and sound
horns or bells in case of fog near the coast.
You will also examine daily the pipe in the
quarter Of your ship under water, to see that it
remains safe.
The only service required Of you is the safe
delivery of your vessel; and as she is old and
heavily laden, you will use special care that
she sustains no damage from unskillful sea-
manship, or want Of prudence and care.
On close approach to your port of destna-
tion, begin to put between decks cargo into
lower hold, and before anchoring permanently
have your second anchor and chain (if you
have one) secured on deck. On leaving your
vessel, unless otherwise ordered, you will bring
away papers, chronometer, charts, compasses,
spy glass, and any other portable articles not
required by the commander Of the blOckading
feet there, and return them sPfely to me
In case of disaster, 10 preclude going on, you
can call at Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads.
to repair damages, reporting to the flag officer
there.
Wishing you safe and speedy passage,
/ am vOura rpenactfullV