The New York herald., 1862-01-19
Operations ON the Coast.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE CAPTURE OF PRIZES ON
THE SOUTHERN COAST.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE CAPTURE OF PRIZES ON
THE SOUTHERN COAST
The following communication has been received at the
Navy Department from Commodore Dupont, commanding
the bockading squadron of the Southern coast.
FLAGSHIP WABASH, PoRr ROYAL, Jan. 7, 1861
SR- have the honor TO inform the department that
the oath ut the Gem Of the Seas Acting Volunteer Lieu
tenant Commanding Baxter on shore and burned the
the British schooner Prince Of Wales Of Nassau, New
Providence ION the list Of vessels furnished by the de-
partment) laden with salt and oranges at North Inlet
nine miles to the northward Of the entrance to George
town. His report is enclosed II gives me great plea
commend the energy and zeal of Lieutenant Bax
ter in this enterprise.
have also the honor to report that the 31st u the
Augusta, Commander Parrot, captured the schoon-
and molasses, about twelve mileS southeast OF Bulls
Island Light She had clearance for Baltimore, but
when first standing in for Bulls Bay. The
Island Belle built in Charleston in 1861 and called
the General Ripley and her certificate of British registry
bears date November 4, 1851 Commander Parrot sent
am, sir, respectfully your obediont servant,
s. F. DUPONT,
Hon GIDEON wELLzs, Secretary Of the Navy.
REPORT COMMANDER BAxTER.
UNITED STATES BARK GEM OF TuR SEAS,
or GEORGETOWN, g. C., Dec 25, 1861. J
SR-About halfpas seven O'Clock yesterday morning,
wero cruising of the north end Of North Island
wind from the north saw schooner running Gown the
stood northeast, In order TO cut her of She then hauled
for her wind and stood in for the land We Immediately
tackled ship again, hostod colors and stood in for
land As she did not show her colors we fred shot
across her bows, to which she paid no attention We
third shot was then red which VIC aterward discovered
went through her bulwarks, cut in two spar ly-
ing on her deck, then struck cask Of water.
Four moro shots were fred at her, which
did execution. As the last shot fired she passed
the north entrance and after running about quarter
Of mile inside the point ran aground One Of the boats
Immediately lowered, and pulled with all haste up
the creek The creek or channel could be plainly seen.
We were then lying to about two miles from land In Eve
fathoms water. We lowered the first cutter without
delay and sent Mr. Coffin, Masters Nate towards shore,
to soundngs AT this time sail reported bear.
ing southeast from u.s. which made out be the
United States steamer James Adgcr. The captains gig
was then lowered, and Mr.. H A. Clark, executive
officer, scnt In TO reconnoitre, and after
the schooner reported TO be fire, and
two boats pulling away from her up the creek for dear
Mr. Coffin sent his boat back, pulled inside the
point and boarded the vessel which proved be tho
English schooner Prince Of Wales Of Nassau, p load.
wind blowing the fire forward Az the tide
rising she soon swung of when he let 60 her anchors.
This brought her head TO the wind and took the fire
her stern after which Mr. Clark left her. and pulled for
In tho meantime we had lowered the second cutter,
Mr.. Clark. Signals for assistance were also set
for the steamer, but she only camo within two
' ing ,hem for at at least two hours The second
cutter went in and boarded the schooner, passing Mr..
the breakers. Mr. Provost Immediately all hands to
work check the fire. hoping TO the schooner and
bring her out 10 Having buckets the whole
plement OF cooking utensils such saucepans kettles,
coffee potts. &C.. brought into requsition and after
an hours hard labor Of throwing and sprnklng
salt over the burning timber, the fre was subdued.
BY this time Messrs Clark and Coffin had returned, and
we at once hauled up the anchors and attempted
to tow her out Another boat alongside
from the bark, IN charge Of r. Moy, Masters Nate
They succeeded in towing her out of the creek when
fire was opened upon them with rifles from the main
land, the bullets dropping and skipping around them
80 thick fast that they attempted from the
channel and find passage TO tow her through the break
She grounded, however, and finding passage
except through tho channel which close under the
land within one hundred and fifty yards Of the
beach, where the rlemen we're stationed, they
obliged 70 abandon the schooner, but not until
they had kinded good res fore and a The second cut
ter in charge Of Mr.. Provost, detained time
longer than tho other boats In order TO get the fire well
started when as she crossed the breakers eight rebels
made their appearance the point having crept along
the outside while they were inside and opened brisk
FIRE the boat, which was returned by all the boats.
None of men injured, although bullets fell over
and around them fast as the scoundros could load and
nre their pieces,
The steamer camo within hailing distance In the
afternoon, and after having consultation with
Captain Mareand sent I'VE boats two from the bark
and three from the steamer, 10 blow the schooner
pieces fearing that otherwise sho might not be sccuay
destroyed But reaching tho breakers the lido was
found entirely too low for the boats enter We
were obliged TO abandon the attempt On turning to
leave boats greeted with terrific yes from the
rebels the island and also with another discharge Of
uusketry, but received injury. The schooner
board and have doubt she and her cargo are hope
lcssy ruined.
/ am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. b. BAXTER, Commanding.