New-York daily tribune., 1863-10-27
THE BLOCKADE OF WILMINGTON.
Pwrsuis Of u Mysterious Ssemmcr-Thc
Namsemena Led On . Wiid-t;oo.~ Chase
Serious Accident the Resmis Of the
From Our Special Correspondent
BEAUFORT y. c., Oct It. le63.

From Our Special Correspondent
BEAUFORT y. C., Oct 10, le6o.
The United States steamship Nansemond
into this port very unexpectedly last evening
F.om one OF her officers aseer,ained that about
O'Clock yesterday morning steamer was seen abou
Is miles to the eastward Of the blookading feet of
Wilmington. and the Nansenond was sent 10 overhaul
her The result chase Of Elk hours. which
did not terminate I'll the stranger appeared 20 run upon
the beach little distance north Of the entrance 10 this
harbor The Nansemond then at her highest speed
about three miles astern and she Immediately prepared
for boarding Both boats were partially lowered and
manned when the after port davit brose pioelpitating
Il third Assistant Engineer, Samuel L. Strnde, and
five men into the sea- Though everything was done
with tho greatest promptness, the unfortunate men
were full quarter OF mile Gsora before the starboard
boat could be lowered 10 the Rescue. Meanwhile shot
had been fred from the forward gun across the
strangers bow 10 make her show her coors for "a yet
she had given no evidence ~ her nationality. She
then hosted her signals showing her 10 be
"a vessel of the United States Navy The starboard
boat returned and, simultaneous with the knowledge of
the strangers character came the announcement that
Mr.. Strude was lost He had no, been seen since the
accident occurred, and is supposed that he was dis
ahlcd b. blow from the boat or daS and sank inmc
date'y II soon ascertaned that y seaman named
George Terry had met the same fate. After making
hei signals the steamer projected les"reiy into Bean
ioi haibor. She proved 10 be the Oeander. nns al
dispatch boat vm Charleston. Her genera! course all
ay Lad been in the direction of Beaufort but her path
was very devious and she had every appearance
OF trying to eudc the Nansemond. She must have
the Nanscmond when sh. l,h the fleet of Wilmington.
and have known all day that she was IN earnest pur
sal,. Probably her commander. vain of tie speed of
his vessel tlonyht Il good Joke 10 be chased by
blocknder and ncalcd the fleet as he passed Whining
ton that hc might be seen. ar be is most cnl.
pgby stupid. Ii ID reported b! the best authority
That this is lot his first experience Of this Kind.
Whatever construction Is put upon his conduct II is
most apparent that either the wanionncss or stu.
patty tnat takes war vessel away nom ts post of
duty and koe, two good vessels strained 10 their
most speed iorfy hours Ut such risk Ia the safety Of
tho vessels ANS not to be run except In the greatest
emergencies and sacrifices the lives Of valuable OIL
Ger and good seaman not the proper quality for tho
commander of vessel IN The United States Navy. by
careful Bavgational reckoning tho Nansenond made
fifteen miles every hour of the chase
Mr. Samuel 4. Stradc valuable officer, I'M
shrinking and Trustworthy in the performances oi ms
duties mud il great loss 10 the country and especially
To the Nnnsomond. He was young man. ana had peeh
some time in the service, and was soon 10 receive de-
ser, ed promotion He leaves mother IN London, MS
native place who dependent upon the iberai por'
tIo o. his salary that he forwarded her regularly every
month for her support ihiNLs.