Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-02-10

THE AFFAIR OFF CHARLESTON.
FLAG SHIP WABASH, !
Port Royal Harbor, Eeb. 2, 1853.

o clock on the morning OF the olst ult., curing
the obscurity of thick haze, TWO iron-clad
cupboats came out Of Charleston by the main
shin channel, unperceiyed by the squadron,
and commenced raid on the blockading feet.
Most Of the latter were Of the light class OF
purchased vessels, two Of the heaviest men OF
war (the Povhatan and Canandaigua) being at
this port coaling and repairing.
The Mercedita was the first vessel attacked.
Her officers and crew had been particularly
watchful during the night, to look out tor sus-
nected vessels, and at clock a. N. slipped
cable and oycrhaucd troop steamer running
tor the channel by mistake.
She had returned TO the anchorage, and Cap
tain Stellwagon had gone 70 his room a short
f;,ne. leaving Lieut.. Commander Abbot on
deck, when one OF the lron-clads suddenly ap-
peared Her approach was concealed by the
haze and mist OF the atmosphere. lhe vessel
was Immediately hailed and an order given to
fire, but the iron-clad being close aboard, and
LAYING low III the water, no guns could be brought
T. bear 4 heavy rife she'll was fired from the
enemy, which, entering the starboara SIDE or
tie Mevcedita, passed through her condenser
and the steam drum Of her port boiler, and ex-
ploded against the port SIDE, blowing hole IN
It's exit some four or i've feet square, killing the
gunner, and by the escape Of steam ,scaIdlng
. number &C the men, and rendering her nc
tive power apparently useless. Unable to use
his guns, and being 1t the mercy Of the enemy,
which was laying alongside On his starboard
quarter. all further resistance was deemed nope
less by Capt. StellWagon and ne surrendered
The crew aid officers were paroled, though no.
thing was said OF the ship, the executive Off
GER Lieut.. Commander Abbot, having gone on
board the .nen1y' gunboat and made the ar
rangement
The iron-claG leaving the Mercedita to her
fate, to sink or not, next engaged the Keystone
State Commander lie Roy, who was also at
talked by the other. Their fire was CALAMITY
returned, but a shell exploding IN the forehold
Of this vessel, she was set on ire.
Commander LIE Roy kept oH until it vas got
Under, when he steered again for one Of the
lgon-clatls, ordered full steam, and determined
10 try to run her down. The guns had been
trained and depressed ior "a plnngng ire at the
lnomentoi collision, and the ship had acquired
a speed CT II knots, when shot OF shell from
the enemy passed through both the steam
chests, wholly saDling her boilers and render
ing her poverless. Ten rifle shell struck the
keystone State; two burst on her quarter deck,
but most OF them struck the hull, being near
and below the Vater line.
IN the meantime, tie Augusta, Commander
Panott; the Quaker City, Commander rrailey,
and the Memphis, Acting Lieut.. Watmough,
kept up fire upon the enemy, diverting their
attention from the Keystone State, which was
soon after taken in tow by the Memphis, and
35rawn away from the fire. The Augusta and
iQ<uaker City were both struck on their bulls.
lie Memphis only in her rigging
-ae loug2ronc, Capt. Iay.or, gave chase,