The New York herald., 1864-05-28
THE SABINE PASS AFFAIR.

The Capture OF the GunbOats Granite
city and Wave-The Vessels Aurren nder
after being Disabled and Perfectly
Helpless-Coolness OF Paymaster A. g.
Lathrop-Escapc or the Ella HIorse-A
Boats Crew from the New London
Captured, &c.. &c.
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.
New ORLEANS, May 10, 1854.
have conversed with a gentleman acquainted with
some facts relation TO the capture OF the gunboats
Granite City and Wave, which are interesting and be-
ave the latest. Ny informant 10 naval officer. He
says that the vessels captured went to Sabine Pass
purpose OF capturing nve schooners, which had on
board about 500 bales cotton and while lying in tho
ooe craSs 70. Mud Ss
having been previously destroyed By our
tiery and Ave hundred men Their NOV ements were
made under Of darkness the night Of the 9th
inst The nrst intimaton the sunboats had Of the close
proximity OF the rebels savo from the rebel guns,
which within few yards OF thsmn fact 80 close
that but few moments before the Granite City
completely ridded and 30 damaged in her machinery
to be unable 10 move; yet the vessel not surren
dered until the last hope was gone.
the Wave continued the action time after tho
Granite City forced to surrender and dsmonnted four
the troops on shore The troops aided BY cotton
clad steamer. Paymasters Clerk Charles H. Grace, .
% s o
Person and honoraby discharged at the expiration
Of the term Of the regiment having parsicipsted 10 all
and Observation-Disclosures In command OF the boarding
party Wave and fought like hero but the rebels
too strong and the Wave was SO crippled that she
could handled under this terrific nre and was
compelled TO surrender after having made desperate
As far as We are able 70 learn, only ocsr OF tho
vessels killed and he Acting Assistant Paymasier
Reed of the Granite City All hands OF both vessels are
prisoners OF at Sabine Pass
Acting Assistant Paymaster A. q. Lathrop, Of tho
Wave came near being captured under the following
qian Ea had hpQn on IN
tug Ella Morse and he arrived a. the entrance Of the Pass
seven O'Clock the morning Of the sth inst and pro-
ladies along river banks who waving vel
come the gay deceiversD: but nothing unusual was
hundred yards Of the vessels he noticed that everything
Just right The ensign at the peak st
ous n1rr or any oesr ses' visible he m%:ds
dcred the engines q the tug stopped, - be v.
Of the boat in Shore He then dipped tho ensign Of the
tug three times to get signal 70 proceed s was right
In answer be received abroadsde from the Granite City;
but they ranged high harm was done Tho facs
was now patent that tho ships In the hands OF the
enemy and tie tug started down the river
Although at q ose range Young nathrop determined
not allow the 70 BE- captured and he hosted tho
big Stars and stripes and not 70 give up un
around before the banks OF the river were lined with
remen and sharpshootcrs and for distance Of mile
and half the little tug steamed through perfect vocy
Of shells the gunbOats and OF bullets from
the rifemen The river was only about four hundred
feet wide; so you imagine what a risk was run.
Tho tug had gone far before the pilot was wouudcd
and Captain Pepper OF the tug-who by the way, was
also the owner-sprang to the wheel and on his Knees
steercd the boat safely out OF range
Mr. Lahrop started at for the Southwest Pass ana
teooraphed TO Commodore Palmer and In twelve hours
aferwards with him in person. The Poca
hontss and Aroostook Immediately despatched 70
the scene but drawing much water were unable TO-
ANYTHING except shel the country In range OF their
gurs In the interim the New London had sent In
boats crew 10 communicate with the captured vcsscIs
Her executive officer Acting Master Henry l. sturges
was shot dead and the boats crew captured.
This blow is a sad TO the squadron, and sabine
pl4 our
rate Lieutenant Lowering OF the Wave, severe loes
70 us He was dne officer He was the executive on
Ger Of the weehawkeu He nred the guns tnat caused
the rebe ram Atlanta TO surrender hed the hrst shot a
Fort Sumter and also the one which exploded sne maga-
zine In Fort Mourie. :.
was Formerly clerk Captain Sanford Of the Neptune.
His conduct under fe N worthy OF the highest commen
dation and he deserves good ship at the hands OF Ad
nnirnI Earraaut and tho Navy DenArtment.