Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-14

reported to be fitting out for rebel privateers on tie
Thames. The Victor, or Rapphhannock ia upwards
of 1000 tons burden built of wood with engines of
300 horse power.
The London Times says:
"When the Admiralty sold the Victor it was stated
that she was inendd for the China trade and she wss
ostensibly fitted out with that view, while her name
was changed to Scya, OF London. Several suspicious
circumstances, however occurred, and the dock yard
officials felt it their duty to make report to the AID
miralty Inc result was the receipt of OF order at
Shearness directing her to be stopped. The order
however arrived few hours too late Those in charge
of the vessel evidently suspected the intention of the
Government and had her taken out of the harbor a
few nights since. She Immediately afterwards hoised
the Confederate flag. She is of $50 horse power but
owing to some slight defect in the construction of her
engines and machinery, her rate of steamng fever
very high, which the principal reason for the Ad-
mraty directing her to>be Sold special report has
been made to the Lord of the Admiralty of the crcuu
stances under which she lett Shearness dock yard"
letter from Calais contains the following respect
ing the Rappahannock:
This steamer was in the roadstead from midnight
waiting to receive on board fifteen young Americans
who have been residing here for than two months
to serve officers. These officers had embarked or
board fishing boat which they had hired to convey
them to Bodogne they told the MASTER in order to
conceal their project and avoid the police When
once they we're outside the port however they ordered
him to put them board vessel from which rockets
were being FREQ, which was the signal agreed upon
The master of the boat in ALARM called for assistance
from other boats near him, and with their help he sail
ed into port where he landed his passengers who
much annoyed at what had occurred
The Rappahannock has been purchased for the Con
federate Government she an English vessel under
going repairs at Shearness She left that port under
preence OF trying her machinery and taking with her
as crew the mechanics and shpcarpenters who were at
work on board. Once at sea the English flag was re
placed by that of the Southern States. She has not
yet any guns on board but is peced for eight heavy
10 abr IN he
peted OF Calais" 1t is reported that part OF her
crew have arrived by steamer from Dover. A private
letter from Hull dated November q, and published in
the Daily News says:
There was prize vessel got away from here some
days back. She was an undoubted ram, with masts
fitted to lower the deck and telescope funnel She
was launched with steam up, apd came alongside the
West pier. Two cabs full of Southern looking gentle
| men drove down and went on board, and she was OIL
| like a shot. Every one was taken by surprise
THE FLsoD-We hear almost hourly OF disasters by
the late heavy rains and fear that the half has not
! yet been told of the injuries sustained.
The Cotton Factories in this city have been compel!
ed to suspend operations by the height OF the water 10
the river which, considering the destitute state OF the
country, think the most general and serious disaster
d yet reported.
f The Mnscogee Railroad received such damage by
breaks at two three points to cause the failure Of
the mails, coming and going, on Friday merning We
learned yesterday that 1t supposed the connection
i would again be made last night.
u The Girard Railroad, we learn, is much damaged by
the food at Uchee creek and other places. The train
due here yesterday failed to make the connection and
mail could be sent off by that route yesterday after
! noon.
! The Telegraph lines were down from Thursday even
ing to Friday evening.
The bridge over the creek on the Crawford road just
; beyond Grard, was entirely submerged One OF the
cross beams washed out and the ooring was torn
of to render passage impossible to any but foot
travellers until repairs are made.
The river vas high yesterday, but lacked eight ten
feet of the extraordinary high water of winter before
last. When we last heard from it. the river
sdered as alta stand Enquirer. Columbus Enquirer
The BLoCKADE-THE CorToN QUESTION AGAIN-It
is understood that have been recently, and
very positively recommended to Congress to take the
81 private cotton in the Confederacy. The particular
cessty of this is said to be that the Govern
ment cannot carry on its European trade (which in
fact has grown to be large and important that the
organization Of separate bureau attached the War
Department, has been recommended to conduct it, al
the present runous rates OF freight and exchange in
Confederate money. So excessive have become the
rates of freight and exchange that calculation il
was found that the charge, independent OF the
cost Of the CARGO for the freightage of steamer Of
three hundred TONS from the West India Islands to
of ports, to the Government upwards Of two
Mullins of dears in its currency. Under these crcum
stances the Department has not hestated TO inaugu
:, rate the plain policy of evadng the blockade with
steamers purchased and run by it's officers.
With the additional steamers, which the contracts
with the Government, or the temptations of private
gains has brought into the trade it is believed that the
blockade may be evaded far to add greatly to our
resources abroad from the expectation Of cotton and 10
bring in the supplies needed by the Government.
/ Richmond Examiner.