, 1863-04-11


TIE ERICSSON AND HER .'FLoAT."
Tic above dispatches containa reference to
the Ericsson and heE ssloat" Of this cor
respondent Of the Baltimore duuacyicas
writes:
The selection Of the steamship Ericsson for
the mission Oh which she is sent is also most
appropriate, As she Is laden almost to her full
capacity with "Ericssonn contriyauces, to
add to their efficiency in m important Work
about to be performed By them, whilst she
drngged after tier, at cables length, hundred
tons Of floating material, too heavy to he &C.
com'modated on her deck.
From the nature Of our cargo md the pres.
ence Of two gallant officers who arc to partici-
felt satisfied that nothing Of Importance
would tTanspirc in this quarter until after our
arriyal~-and that our coming would be looked
for and waited for-and, like the Irishman who
was going TO be hanged, there would be "no
fun until VIC arrived" In this have not
been disappointed.
Our Passage out was necessarily slow, on
account Of the immense floating material we
had to drag after US through the turbulent
OCEAN, 8 little extra speed would make it
disappear fathoms deep In the sea, causing the
four tcn.inch cables attached to 1t to strain,
and stretch, and ehafe. It would occasionally
dive down end foremost, and be entirely out
Of sight for few minutes, but on slowing the
engines 1t would again rise to the surElce, the
end of the tlag-polc on it being tirst visible.
At all times it was the object Of constant
anxiety to all OH board, and it was watched
night and day, By Captain Lowber, who,
knowing its anticipated value, had staked his
professional reputation on carrying 1t safely
to its destination. For the first tWenty.f -four
hours after passing Sandy hook, it kept well
to the surface, but as we approached Cape
Henry, and thu ocean became more rough and
turbulent, it commenced its antics, but by
lcssening our speed It was Kept on the surElce
of thu water throughout the balance Of the
rassage.
TIE GRAND FLEET UNDER WEIGH.
As ne neared the buoy at the bar, about
eight miles from Hilton Head. q long line Of
steamers, sailing vessels and Monitors could
be eeen coming out Of Port Royal. The first
two vessels, the Maple Leaf md the Glide,
were loaded with troors, and they soon head
ed of towards Charleston. It now BECAME
evident that an expedition for the vicinity Of
Charleston was just starting, and that We had
arrived IN time to witness the whole move
ment. In short time after, VI distinctly
made out four Monitors, in tow of steamers,
approaching the bar; and soon the steamer
CataWba, with the Weehnwken in tow, passed
close alongside OF lie. Then came the gun
boat Sabago, towing the Monitor Nallant.
Next came the Catsklll, in tow Of the steamer
The scene from the deck OF the Ericsson
was grand and imposing, as the expedition
passed in review before u.s. the steamers and
Monitors being intesperscd with numerous
sailing vessels, with ammunition, coal, &C.,
and several mortar schooners. Looking for
ward into the harboz Of Port Royal, there was
visible a still larger number Of vessels 1t an
cllur near Hilton Head, leaving nothing yisi-
bic in tho centre Of the flarbor hut the flac.
ship Wabash and tue stoFeahip Vermont.
CHARLESTON AND IT'S uARBoR.
The location and form Of the city Of Charles
ton is very much like that of New York, the
Cooper River representing the East Riyer.
and the Ashley River the North River. It's
width, from rirer to river, is nos half 80
great as New York, consequently, when once
taken it can be easily held By gnnhoats sta
tieiled or these two rivers, against anv land
force that might be brought against It, II
can Thus be cut OFT from all Communication
with the mainland, like an island, for all mill.
tary purposes.
orally understood By those not familiar with
nautical matters, The entrance to Charles
ii aeross this bar from the sea may be liken-
e9 - 4 funnel, tile small portion Of the funnel
commencing ut Fort Sumter and extending
to the city. The sides Of the large portion of
the north side, and Morris Island on the south
side. Tho Charleston Bar commences four
miles to the seaward Of Sumter, and extends
along the whole large end Of the imaginary
funnel from Snl|iyan's Island to Norris Island,
distance Of fully eight miles.
The width Of this bar and shoals Is fully
four miles from the outer limits to Sumter,
and eight miles long. The distance from the
entrance Of Maffitt's Channel to the entrance
Of the Swash Channel is over two miles, and
from Swash Chaunel to Ship Channel nearly
i've miles. These outer distances are bounded
By the deep waters Of the Atlantic. The
greatest depth Of water that can be carried
through these three channels at high water Is
but sixteen feet
After reaching tho vicinity Of Fort Sumter,
the depth Of the channel from there to the
city is very great, ranging from 20 to 50 feet.