The New York herald., 1862-03-29
The ESCAPE OF the NASHVILLE.
Our Naval Correspondence.
UNITED STATES STEAMER CAMBRIDGE
HArpror poLna March oR 1870

UNITED STATES STEAMER CANBRIDGl,
HAMPTON ROADS, March %, 1862 !
RaeA Of the Harbor Of Beaufct-znjvscs often Dexst
- Capsordge-zo Whom TIE Blams Of the NasAvlle's
Escape Is Properly Due-7Ae BIocRuding Force EssS1-
siest, &C., &c.
A. tho report Of the escape Of the rebel steamer
Nashville from Beaufort the evenins{of the 18th
Win be received with universal regret by al citizens,
enclose rough sksch Of the barbor Of Beaufort and
80 surroundings, that you may should you think proper,
give tho facts in the to the public that the respou
sabiy may DO placed where II rightly belongs wehsvs
sesiced that whenever anything occurs In the imms
aiass vicinity Of the Cambridge that can by any
means be construed a. . dereiction Of duty our
yass Tho unfavorabls aspect OF the 10 dwet upon
with particular psrspcuty by the newspapers, often
osnG gross injustice, while, when shs does her full
share than that in maintaining the respect
aus federal authority, entirely ignored. For
seance, the steamer Hoboksn employed in laying the
ssegraphc cable from Fortress Monroe to Cape Charles
vss oyertaken by sudden storm, obliged to cut the
sable became disabled, and finally drfted ashore On
cape Henry, where she became total loss-a Of which
- reported 10 have taken place by, and in plain
sight Of the Cambridge (Which had much she could
% keep herself out Of danger while the truth that
che apparently putting out 70 sea. and
great distance that signals could be discovered on
Board Of her. and did net know that she in din
suty until the next day, when learned At Fortress
Monroe that che was lost.
And now that the Nashville has again escaped from
sckaded port owing entirely 70 the negligence bad
management OF the Navy Department, presume the
Cambridge win again be made the subject Of newspaper
srSism and possibly Of blame, from those who alone
are culpabs and trust the accompanying sketch will
Sonvnce any all with such subjects OF
che impossibty Of any vessels bockading Bsauort
Aarbor against the escape Of vessel noted for her
spsed the Nashville especially when Of them was
sailing vessel and the air (as upon the evening ques
aion) perfectly calm.
The Nashville from the time Of arrival ION the l1th
a Narch) TIL she left, lay at the depot wharf, plain
sight Of us, and the day before leaving got up
ssssm, came down 70 the junction Of the df
fsrcnt channels Fort Macon without the least a
tempt M secrssy ana therefore every board the
1sckadng vessels knew that she Intended to her
cape tho following night, IL possible, and every
- the qui pive for the hoped for engagement Captain
sxker the Cambridge, kept under day and night
Fearing sho would his vigilance should he remain
n anchor The state OF Georgia having been obliged to
Asave for Hampton Roads for COAL the day previous,
sas hose Of Il. ps aIy De-
parment must know situation, and feel the sans in
ssrsst In keeping tho Nashville rsfs, while they had her
Broad Atlantic for her when there was scarcely hone
ssr her capture But no assistance came and we there
fore made the tost Of position From an intelligent
sontraband who had sought refuge on board the
state Of Georgia, We learned that picket boats were
sent out ntghy 70 ascertain tho position
Union vessels and we therefore felt that tho Nashville
Dad than An even chance OF escape should sho ven
euro tho passage during the darkness of tho night
Everything favored ber The tide was Mt lie highest
nood and the did not rise until hslfpast eight p
n know that between the departure OF daylight
and that hour she must go, at ALL We stationed our.
selves the entrance Of the shortest channel bo one
shrough which she sntsred and trusted 10 the Gsmsbok
10 give timely warning should she take the othsr
shannsl aud she did so. But tho Nashville passed
sut at the rate, probably. Of twelve miles per
hour, and escaped without being seen by ne
Cambridge, whose highest rate OF speed does not
sxcsed nine miles. The manner OF hvr doing
may easily be understood. The Nashville lay close to
Fort Macon, ready for start picket boat, with two
hGhts-perhaps br ght white or yellow and another
ssd-is sent 10 Swash channel. II the blocksding
steamer s there she " TO show say the light masked
tho side, which "The Cambridge Is here"
bridge been at tho entrance Of chip channel she would
show the yellow light, meaning mo vessel here" and
shcn the Nashville takes the swash channel goes on
her way rejoicing In IT, therefore, to 10 wondered al
that the Nashville with but trifine dsplav of sntsr
prise, was enabled 10 escape unscathedY Her capture
while weuld not have proved creator vigilance on the
Dart OF the Oambridge--woud have shown great want
sense and foreshouEht on the part Of her own ossrs
No person at all eonversant with such hnes and undsr
saadns the situation Of Affairs will feel Al The
result.
I shall not enter isto further particulars AT u,,sh.
sally do, and show the oupabs neglect OF the asnsr,
innt In allowing or, az II would almost seem oonnv,n.
~ tbe escape Of this pratical craft and should
20 describe the feeling or all on board the CambrIdes
hsn the fact ascsrtajned, could not end apgnase
vswsrful enough 70 do justice TO the subject
Nspseulascnf fos Mo exercise Of common senss and eau