Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-03

SUCCESS OF THE Stone FLEEr.-Charles-
ton is now pretty efectually blockaded ,
and probably for all time The stone feet
has done its work. Sixteen old hulks
laden with stone, have been sunk in the main
channel leading to the harbor. They were
not placed straight across, as in other cases
where the experiment has failed, but in three
rows, with special reference to the fact that
the island waters must flow to the sea. An
intricate mazo Of shoals and eddies will thus
be formed, which it will be impossible to
navigate. but which will still allow of the
flow Of water without the creation Of new
channels. The Charestonians, on the APP
proaoh of the feet, destroyed the Lighthouse
on Morris island by blowing IL up They
evidently thought it a fleet of war vessels
about to enter the harbor, Their destruction
Of the lighthouse isa matter of no con,e-
quence TO anybody, as it will nos be needed
again. The sinking of the feet was intrusted
to Capt. Charles II. Davis, formerly chief of
a photographic party on the coast survey.
and ever since more or less intimately con-
nected with it. When, in 1851, an appro-
priation was made by the federal government
for the Improvement of Charleston harbor.
and, at the request of South Carolina, a COM
mission of navy and army officers was APP
pointed TO superintend the work. Capt Davis
was one of the commission, and for three or
four years was engaged in these operations.
Over the bar at the entrance Of the main
ship channel, is a narrow passage, through
which vessels may carry eleven feet at low
water about seventeen at high water This
is the place that Capt. Davis has filed up
with the stone fleet. No other channel now
existing will be closed. at least for the pre-
sent; for if such plan were carried too Ear
the formation Of a new channel would be in
evitabc. Moreover, for the purposes of the
blockade, the obstruction q tho main channel
10 entirely sufficient. Mathis channel ia so
difficult that the Nashville failed in an at
tempt to escape 10y 10, although made by day
light and with two pilots on board, and if il
should be rendered more easily nayigable in
any way, it can be eifectually blockaded by a
force which is unable TO watch that and an
other exit at the same time And as to sink
ing vessels in the narrowes. portion of that
channel it could only be done by first silenc-
ing the batteries on Sulliyans island, if not
Sumter itself
There was excellent weather and the diff
cult job of sinking the vessels in the right
position was accomplished with the most per-
iect success. The masts and rigging were
then cut away and set aAoat, and the work
was done. There was rebel steamer in
sight, watching the operation, but it did not
approach near enough to interfere. A letter
from the Cahawba, accompanying the expedi-
ton, says; All the operations Of the feet
were in full sight of Moultrie, Morris and
sullivan Islands, and Sumter. but not man
could lift finger to imperil or arrest them.
The fire which swept the streets Of half the
city was trivial misfortune compared with
this final disaster Its distant results it is
impossible to foretel with certainty, Tor it is
necessarily an experiment. An effort to block
AIDE tidal harbor like this, presented a who'll
ly new problem, which was worked ont by
Capt. Davis with great ingenuity and scenti-
fc skill; and for its present success it is
enough to know that all access by the main
ship channel is efectually closed The bar
is paved with granite, and the harbor thing
of the past"