The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-10
The HIacKnhe.
WRECK OF THE STEAMER vEsTA.

WRECK OF THE STEAMER VEsTA.
From the Richmond Examiner Jan. 20.
We have the particulars Of another dis
aster off the Oarolina coast-the wreck of
the Vesta, one Of the finest steamers in
the blockade running line. The Incl
dents are obtained from a Confederate
officer, who was . passenger from Ber-
muda:
The,following ia a list Of the Vesta's pas
eengor's: Mrs John Mitchell, Miss Min
ME Mitchell, Miss Isabel Mitchell, Mr.. 7.
J. Iced, England; Mr.. Perrin, OOnfeder-
ate States Navy Lieut.. j. Fl. Gardner,
Confederate States Navy; Dr.. William
Shepardson, Confederate States Navy
Pavmsster Moses, Confederate States
Navy; Mr. KireebAne, Bermuda.
This was Che first trip Of the Vesta from
England. She was double screw steam
or, perfect in sll appointments, and
commanded by Capt. r. II. Eustace, an
Englishman.
The Vests left Bermuda on the Sd inst.
For seven days she was chased over the
seas by number of ankse cruisers, but
succeeded in eluding them aud, on the
10th inst. made the coast in the vicinity
of WILMINGTON. Being compelled TO lay
20. she was deserted By Yankee cruiser,
which gave chase, and in half an hour
more eleven Yankee vessels were pOun-
cling down uuon the suddenly discovered
prey. The Vesta, although apparently
surrounded, ran the gsuntletin splendi d
style. through one of the most stirring
Al, hoa vritnanaad
on the water. Some Of the cruisers at
tempted 70 cross her bows and cut her of,
bat she was too rapid for this vancouver,
and at half miles distance sons of the
cruisers opened their brOsdsides upon
her, while Eve others in chase were con-
etantly using their bow guns, exploded
shells right over the decks of the devoted
vessel. Fortunately no one was hurt
and tbs vessel ran the gauntlet, raising
her flag in defiance, suffering only from 3
single shot, which, though it passed
smidships, above the water line, happily
escaped the machinery.
But the troubles seems 10 have CON-
menced with what the passengers sntici-
pated 10 be the triumphant escape from
their captors; for the Captain and the
first officer, Ticker, are reported to have
become outraseously drunk after the af-
fair was over and the night had fallen.
It is ssid that the Captain was asleep on
the quarterback, stupeied with drink,
when be should have put the ship on
land; and that &c 2 O'Clock in the morn
ing be directed the pilot to take the ship
ashore, telling him that the ship was
about forty miles 70 the southwark of
Frving Pan Shoals.
Fifteen minutes afterwards The Vesta
made land, the pilot having run her so
far ashore thstit WIS impossible to get
her of. She was run aground at Little
River Inlet; the passengers landed in
boats minus their baggage; and, although
there were no cruisers in sight aud not
the least occasion for precipitation, the
vessel with all her valuable cargo was
fired before daylight BY order CT Capt
Eustace, and burned 70 the wates's edge.
The cruisers did not get up to the wreck
until two o'clock on the afternoon of the
next day, and then they were attracted
to il by the smoke from she confis-
grafton.
The cargo Of the Vesta was of the
most valuable description three-fourths
Of il en- G0vernment account, consisting
Of army supplies, and including = very
extensive lot Of English shoes. There
was also lost by the wreck a splendid
uniform intended ~ present 10 General
Lee from some Of his admirers in London
Nothing Of any account was saved.