Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-08
THE STEAMER MISSISSIPPI ON THE


UNITED STATES STEAMER MOUNT YER.
NON, OFF WILMINGTON, N. g., March |,
lo62.-ST: have tue honor to report to you
that yesterday discovered vessel to the
southwark and eastward at IL A NJ. got I'M
der way and stood for her, and soon discover
ed her to be vessel on shore on the Frying
Fan Shoals. On nearer approach she proved
to be large steamer, with the American en-
sign hoiSted union down. We were soon
boarded by boat containing an army officer,
who informed me that the vesssl was the
steam transport Mississippi, from Boston, for
Ship Island, Mississippi, having Major Gen.
Benjamin +. Butler and fourteen hundred
troops on board. l approached her cautious
ly, sending boat in charge of acting master
Siurgls 10 sound between us and the Missis'
sippl. AT 81 p. M We were enabled, though at
a great risk TO this vessel to anchor sufficient.
ly near to send hawser to the steam
er. We steamed ahead, and succeeded
in mOOring about half length ahead, and in
hauling her head around about two points,
but at about 5 O'Clock we found this vessels
head paying off broadsde on to the shoal
We were compelled to let go the hawser, her
mead still paying off. We let go the starboard
anchor, TO get tile vessels head TO the wind
and sea- She then struck heavily on the shoa
three times, and we were obliged TO slip the
cable and steam ahead to clear the shoal. In
steaming ahead the buoy rope of the slipped
cable got foul of the propeller, and we had to
stop the engine aud cut it, thereby losing the
starboard bow anchor and fifteen fathoms of
chain cable. but saving the ship. | sent acting
master Sturgis on board the Mississippi, to
assist in getting her off. She was leaking
badly in the forward compartment which
was filed with water up to the berth deck,
in spite of the active battling out of our
troops, which was continued throughout the
night. They kept throwing overheard pro-
visions and other heavy articles, to tighten the
ship, and all our boats were kept assisting
those of the Mississippi i'll transporting the
troops OF their vessel TO tighten her further.
| received Mrs. General Butler and her at
PENDANTS on board this vessel. At about seven
o'clock in the evening, when we had received
about three hundred troops on board, we had
the pleasure OF seeing the Mississippi come off
the shoal. l Immediately weighed anchor,
and proceeded very cautiously into deeper
water, displaying lights to guide the other yes.
sci AT midnight, both vessels anchored off
Baldhead lighthouse. This morning we
transferred the troops to the Mississippi ; also
Mrs Butler and attendants.
am thankful TO be able to report to you,
that we were Instrumental in saving this noble
ship, with her cargo and number of passen.
gers. 1t also affords me much qualification to
have to inform you that every officer and man
under my command exerted himself to his ut.
most ability in this noble cause. The damage
and loss sustained to this ship is trivial, when
compared with the saving of the lives OF the
fourteen hundred persons who were on board
the Mississippi.
Respectfully, your Obedient servant,
To FlaU Oficer T. M Goldshorounh