The New York herald., 1862-11-12
Our Naval Correspondence.

os BOARD UNITED STATES STEAM GryBesr PoRr RoYAL1
KEY WEST, Fla. Oct 30, 1862.
7he Voyage Of ne Pot Roya'-A stormy Pdssog,-Bo1.
R,dd.rs Carried A,cay-Tne Teloo fsrer Ab1ed-Specis
Poy,nsnis Common in Key West, dc.
The United States steam gunboat Port Royal, which left
Washington Navy Yard the 9th instant arrived mt this
port on the 18TH. The passage out very stormy
one aud upwards Of days very little hopes were
entertained for tho safety Of vessel On the morning
Of the 10Th when about 100 miles south OF Cape attera
severe southeaste set in, and very short time the
steamer was rolling terribly During the gale carried
away our sarboard and port guards, portion Of the
wheslhouse and about ten o'clock the evening OF the
lltb, our after rudser gave out.
We Immediately brought the forward ruddcr into requi
ston and steered the ship stern formost at the same
time attaching tler the after ruddor post and
placing thereon relieving tackles TO be used they
were needed We had stecred by the forward rudcr
more hJur before that also gave way the heavy
sea dashug hercely against IT, We then sprsng AT 10
our relieving tacko, and after great difficulty and some
slight damage % the steamer succeeded in getting her
again her This process OF steering
ourcd ten mcr constantly Of the helm. The app
so useful aft ard throughout the gale shifted ends
sonayrst steering with the after and then the forward
tlcr After the gc was over We succeeded in repairing
the after rudder sufficiently TO apply the chains aud steer
her ship shape" into Key West Grea praise is duo to
Captain Morris. lieutsnans McTougal and Randall, and
in ac every officer c.nnce,cd with the vessel for
navng her well white 10 such precarous situation.
W. undergoing rcpxirs, and IN very few days
will be doing active service with the different bockadcrs
On this ststion.
The yellow fever, which has been raging very exten
sey here the past few months. has entirely abatcd
aud the general health Of the place is now considered good
Many however have died since ts first appearance and
among the number could be named some the best men
IN cur navy and army. Ne less than thirty seven on
board the frigato ST. Lawrence including somc OF her
oHccrs fell victims TO this dreadful maady aud
Informed by resident Of Key West that out of popula
ton Of two thousand i've hundred no less than two hun
drcd d that number have died since the fever FIRST made
IT, appearance this season.
Business Key West is brisk and money seems 10 be
plenty. since arrival here have seen more silver
change hanas than did for four months North pre-
vous 70 our leaving home. Tho merchants here do not
hesitate msment 10 throwing out three and four dollars
No specie in making change for "greenback or y, and
seem to be surprised when we tell them how scarce
change l. in New York and the North generally. All
kinds Of Northern bank bills 90 current hero Ia exchange
Cor goods; but, general thing, they prefer Uncle
sans notes 10 any other currency.
There l. or less shipping constantly coming and
going from this harbor. The principal portion Of the
merchant craft, however, arc small vessels Siace
arrival here the United States steamers Magnolia and
Penguin also the schooner Ktianny have left port 70
cruise The vessels remaining are the nagship S. Law
renee Port Royal Santiago Dc Cuba aod the Stars and
3 Uipse