Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-02-10
None OF our Vessels SUNK.
The Keystone State.

Tho prize steamer Princess Royal arrived at
the Philadelphia navy yard on Sunday in charge
OF Acting Master Van Slice, having sailed from
Port Royal on the Slst ult.
She brings full particulars regarding the at
tack on our blockndng fleet at Charleston, and
the information entirely refutee the rebel idea
that the blockade has ever been raised.
The intelligence both us relates to her capture
and the rebel attack on our blochading squadron
AZ Charleston, shows conclusively that there is
no foundation for the assumption of the rebels
that the blockade Of Charleston was ever raised
by the departure Of the u. S. fleet, only two
vessels out Of eight or ten having been disabled
and obliged to leave.
ltappears that the cause Of the attack was main
ly owing to the capture Of the Princess Royal,
which took place oh the 29th ut., of Charleston,
while attempting TO iun the blockade through
Breach Inlet. 1t wae the intention OF tue rebels
to reoapture her by an atlock on our fleet, her
armament being particularly designed for the
use OF the retel navy in It's present inefficient
condition.
Early on the morning of the 18th ult., the
pilot boat Blunt gave the alarm u the u, 8. gun.
boat Unadilln, by displaying n rocket, that a
vessel was sndeavoring to run the blockade.
She Immediately steamed towards her, and sue
ceeded in making her easy (apture the cap
| tain und pilot having escaped to the shore with
was not asceriaeed until our men had boarded
the prize, the whole affair having taken place iu
the dim light of the early morning.
The Unadila carried the Princess Royal to the
side Of the U. s. gunboat Housntonic, and lay
there until daylight. At 81 O'Clock, the thunder
of guns was heard, accompanied by sharp tlashes
OF light, whish indicated that cur blockadiue
squadron was engaged either with vessel at
tempting 10 run the blockade, or that the pirate
Alabama or Florida was eudeayoring TO effect al
entrance into Charleston harbor
But as daylight broke it was discovered on
board the Princess Royal that two rebel rams,
coming from the direction of Stono Inlet, were
seaming toward our fleet
One OF the rams steamed imme iiatey towards
the United States gunbont Mercedta, which was
lying close to Fort Sumter, and struck her at the
waters edge, keeling her over. At the same
time she fired shot into her starboard boiler,
which exploded it and caused the death of three
persons, including the gunner, by shot and
| steam.
The ram then hailed the Mercedita and de-
manded a surrender.
Captain Stellwagen replied, I'VE are in q sink
ing condition, and at the same time lowered
one OF his small boats after leaving out one oi
the plugs which allowed the water to enter.
The ram answered our hail by replying, awe
are the confederate ram Palmetto State do YOU
surrender :"
This was repeated three times, Captain stell-
wagen at each inquiry replying, ~ am in .
sinking condition"
The rebels finally answered, Cd d-n you
to hell if you don't surrender, we will blow you
out OF water; send your boat aboard"
Ihe small boat which Captain Stellwagen had
lowered then conveyed his lieutenant aud execu
tive officer to the side Of the rebel ram
The request of the officer to be admitted
aboard the ram was refused
The Lieutenant repeated Capt. Stellwsgen's
statement in the following words: ave are in
a sinking condition"
The officer of the rAm answered, you cannot
sink lower than the rails We cannot take YOU
aboard We will accept of your parole"
Ihe executive officer Of the Mereedita then
gave his parole and returned to his ship
Ihe Mercedita then steamed off into place
oi SAFETY, the rebels having been successfully y
deceived as to her condition by the report that
she was sinking Her small boat alone was ia
tnls condition, but it was received by the rebe
ofhcers as guarantee OF the state Of the vessel
ITSELF The Mercedita lay in shohl water and
hence the reply of the enemy that ''she could
not sink lower than her rails."
The rebel ram then steamed toward the Kew
stone State and sent ehot through ber steam
drum. This shot created great havoc ou hoard
tue steamer, causing the instant death of twenty.
one persons. Twelve were leveed by the shot,
aud the rest were scalded 10 death by the stea n
which escaped from the boilers. Fifteen of the
crew were also wounded and were lying in A
precarious condition at the hospital at Port
Royal when the steamer Princess Royal sailed
la the meantime, while all these startling
events were occurring on the 81 de of one portion
Of our fleet, the U. S. gunboat Housatonic, which
sheltered the Princess Royal, was engaged with
the other ram and succeeded in driving her of.
her guus being sufficiently depressed 50 as TO
strike the ram at every shot.
Athalf-past slx o'clock in the morning both
Of the rams loft the of &C tion and proceed
ed towards Charleston city.
During the attack the steamer Princess ROYAL.
which was the chief object of conquest and pre-
servation on either side, succeeded in getting
out Of danger. This escape was mainly owing
to the efforts of Third Assistant Engineer Thur
ston, who piled into her fires all the inaramable
material at hand, and succeeded in getting up
sufficient steam to carry her to Port Royal
The Mercedita steamed down to Port RoTal.
escaping with only one of her boilers ipjured-
She arrived in safety, and her repairs would be
made in days time.
The steamer Keystone State was entirely dis
abled by the attack Of the rebel rams but she Was