Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-02
G0lOttrster 4aiIg Spp
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
From the Banks Expedition.

ON BOARD CnAs. OsGooD, OFF CAPE HENLoPEN,
December 16, 1862. !
1t is of no use to write that we are fairly
started at last, for our destination, for our
fate seems to be to lay at anchor most of the
time, and what might be true one hour might
also prove to be false the next. When we
got off the mud bar near Philadelphia we, of
course, expected to go on our way rejoicing.
But fate or providence was against us again,
for the fog was so dense that it was Monday
morning before we started, and after a fine
run through the day we made the lighthouse
at Cape Henlopen about six o'clock last eve-
ming, equi-distant from New York and Phila-
delphia, and about twelve hours sail from the
first named city, after a life on board of thir-
teen long and monotoneus days. While
coming down the bay yesterday we met the
transport propeller Niagara, with troops on
board, bound for Philadelphia on account of
the unseaworthiness of the boat. The troops
were from Massachusetts, but we could not
certainly make out which regiment. But the
sight of fellow soldiers, and on boat in
which we could sympathize heartily with
them, was sort of acknowledgements cir
cumstance, which gave us food for discussion
during the remainder of the day.
Our pilot left us last night, and we came to
anchor just inside the Delaware breakwater,
with more than thirty barques, schooners, and
other craft for company. There was a stiff
breeze all night, and Capt. Geer exercised his
usual caution by remaining out of all possible
danger. The wind blew strong from the
southeast, and remained there until within a
few minutes, when squat of rain came on,
and now the wind has gone into the north
west, and we shall soon be in motion again.
OFF EDIsTo ISLAND, S. c.,
Friday, Dec. 10.
We did get in notion as l predicted when
/ finished my last, and it was such a motion
that writing materials Of all kinds were gladly
laid aside, and in most cases the writers fol-
lowed suit as gladly. We have had a spank
ing breeze to bring us thus far, and we have
made capital run, averaging about eight
knots most of the time. We landlubbers find
that when a sailor has ''fresh" breeze we
call it trough" and a great many are con-
strained to pay their devotions to Neptune
anew. With the exception of run of some
eighty miles out to the Gulf Stream Wednes-
day night, we have kept pretty well in shore
all the way, and have therefore had a chance
to see whatever there was of interest. Capes
Hatteras and Fear were passed in safety-the
first one with smooth sea, and the latter
causing us to make that trip seward. Yes
terday was occupied in recovering our ground,
though we made for land at such an angle that
we hove in sight of the South Carolina coast
just at dusk last evening, and now we are
where my date indicates, still pushing south
ward We trust for smooth sea the remain
der of our trip. The weather thus far has
seemed very like old Massachusetts. The
wind has been raw and brisk, and until this
morning no one has cared to remain on deck
long at time. For two days our matches
have been dashed down, and we have lain in
our hunks rolling and rocking from side to
side, with nothing to break the monotony but
an occasional sea passing over and on us,
wetting us thoroughly even as we lay. The
change from such life to open matches and a
warm sunlight is most agreeable one, and
now our wet and filthy decks can again be
cleared and our house put in order. And we
can now get something to eat, too. We have
been allowed, and, in fact, could have, no
fires in the galley, and in consequence we
have had nothing but hard crackers to eat.
Friday we have meat and rice, which will give
us new life. Even if we had any cooked food
have cared to have run the risk of going after
it. person would have been knocked about,
wet down, and rolled over, ifhe had walked so
Ear, and then, if he received plate full he
might have had it covered with the vomit of
dozen sick ones before he reached his bunk
again. So ''hard tack" was substituted for
more substantial food. ''A life on the rolling
deep" may be very agreeable under some cir
cumstances, but give me something more sub
stantial to ride walk upon than any "roll-
ing deep" have yet seen.
OFF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA,
Saturday, Dec. 20.
We had our usual luck again early this
morning. As if to throw wet blanket on
any little success we might have in the way of
good sailing and smooth water, our craft must
run plump on sand bar about three o'clock
this morning-that is, at about two o'clock
with you-a circumstance which couldn't sur
prise us much, though salt water bath in De-
cember, even in this latitude, wasn't looked
upon as anything very desirable especially at
so unreasonable an hour.
Here is the way it was. Our navigator, who
/ venture to stat is about as drunken an old
''coot" as is to be found, made his 'reckon-
ing" last night before turning in, and gave
orders in regard to the course for the night.
But he didn't calculate for more than knots
NAhour, and as we happened to travel nearly
= kne rate of 10 knots, we found ourselves
- of sudden on sand bar off Fernandina,
Fla. All sails were set at the time, and with
a full head of steam we were running dead on
shore when we struck. The peculiar ''chug"
and grating brought the sleeping soldiers to
their feet, who, without excitement, proceeded
to investigate the matter. On deck all was
hustle and hurry. The deck hands were pre-
pairing the ships boats for lowering, and Capt.
Geer had advised the officers to pack up their
effects for nasty departure. Matters looked
gloomy for awhile. The sails were Tapping
in the breeze, while the wheeling of the en-
CINE and rattle of its machinery made it evil
dent that all efforts were being made to get
her off, and so far without success. The sol
diers were philosophical and perfectly cool,
awaiting whatever fate was destined for Them
But at last the boat was surged off, and with
out INJURY, the nature of the bar saving all
STRAIN ana wear. But where to go was the
next question, for at that time no one had the
slightest IDEA where we were. Not an officer
on the boat could tell with any certainty. and
we did all that could be done-put ont to
sea. Since then we have been ont of sioht of
land until we have again just heard the cry of
''land-ho!" and we shall undoubtedly keen
the coast in sight again. We are thankful IN
have escaped so fortunately. 1t might have
been much worse, and it was no sagacitv of
the officers that prevented aserious Termination
to our passage.
The weather is now delightful. Imagine