The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-01-20
TIE WRECK or THE STEAMER vEsTA-
FULL PARTICULARS.

The following account OF the wreck and |
of the blockade runner Vesta ID !
taken from letter written by our quondarn |
correspondent Bohemian" who was pas.
sepger on board upon his return from
abroad:
Sunday, (Jan. 3d,) wsa wearing |
rapidly away As We lay of The town Of 81. Georges,
steam was up, and everything in readiness foF
departure when the order should be given. 1t was
little after O'Clock before the anchor was
weighed, but In short time thereafter we passed
along the town, windiog among the little islands,
down by the scowling black mouthed guns of the
fortress, straight through the narrow pass whI.h
opened out into the broad Atlantic. On we went
over The heaving waves, farther and farther from
the fast recedlng shors; dusky night shadows
gathered over the sea, deepening every moment,
until the land grew dim and indistinct, aud the
"s!ill vexed Bermoethss" was hidden from our
view. When the stars come out there was nothing
but SKY and waters and then our "homeward
bound" sea voyage was begun. Two days and
nights OF good sailing followed with scarcely sail
10 turn US from the proper course. The third day
out, however, our troubles began. The weather
grew heavy, the sea rough, and several sail were
seen and ran from The next day, and the next,
were both stormy, and the sun was not moment
visible. We had then reached the cruising grounds
and were chased here and there In every direction
The Vesta was q new iron steamer, with double
engines and screw, we'll fitted up for bloc kade run
ming, and had on board valusble cargo belonging
to the Government. Under full steam she could
make twelve or fourteen knots, and am confident
the latter speed was made for two or three hours
y kpa
the Ceres, she was admirable craft, and upon
ai occasions condu ted herself with marked pro
priety, walking rapidly away from all strangers
who offered any uncaIled for attentions. Satur-
day, January 9th, we had serious chase, and were
driven far to the southwark before night came
and gave US an opportunity of heading again TO-
wards the land. THIS we expected to make before
day-n time to run In under the guns of Fort Fisher
before 1t was ight-but after running in till nearly
sunrise no land appeared. We had gone too far
during the chase to make the return distance in
time Heading out again, we ran some half an
hour, and then, no cruisers being In sight, the en-
gInes were stopped and the ship hove to- The
sun came out and chance offered TO get our posi-
ton, but the Captain was asleep, and the lst Of
fcer Cricke) made an attempt with the sex.ant,
but nothing definite cama of 1t. 1t was supposed
we were some five and forty miles off Cape Look
out, but whether we not may be classed
among ''histofical doubts" Well, not to make
my Story too long, here we remained until about
midday, when steamer came In sight and mme
diately bore down upon Scarce had we got
under steam before two more steamers had discov
cred Us and Joined in the chase. OF course we
now had to run for 1t. 1t was impossible to 60 At
full speed without showiD9a black cloud of smoke,
and, soon this became visible, we had the
whole bockading fleet down upon They
sprang up upon every side, as il by magic, and in
half an hour we were completely surrounded
Capture seemed certain, and there was no chance
of escape except to run the gauntlet. This was
determined upon, and On we bowisi straight
through the fleet, eleven steamers fast closing in
upon us. Three or four ahead were running across
our hows, trying to cut US off, many more on
either beam, bearing down upon US, and the rest
coming up astern.
At length they opened Gre at distance of nearly
mile, firing their bow guns, still keeping their
The shots fell all around us, but for long
time none struck the ship. Nearer and nearer they
came, and then, when only half mile away, two,
on the bows, yeered around and gave us a broad
side. This was repeated every few moments, ana
this In reality proved the means of our escape;
for the time lost In turning gave the lead, and,
slipping between the two ahead, we ran the
gauntlet of their 6re, and In short time every
Of them was left astern. The firing .tili continued
and one shot passed through the ship, but doing
little damage. Dark came on, slowly enough II
seemed to US, and finally we were hidden sufi.
cienuy to change the course. All our. pursuer.
passed by Us, and, completely doubling on them,
we turned rs was supposed again towards Will
mington. 1t was hot fire for a time and for over
two hours we were target TOR Yankee punuers.-
Eighty seven shots were fred from all the shtps
but, providentially, no one on board was injured.
Capt Eustace managed the ship well, aud during
the hottest fire ran up bis tag 10 show defiance.
Free once more, another attempt was made to
run in; but now, am sorry to say, our greatest
trial came Captain Eustace, during the action,
had visited the lockers little too often. and iust
in the first moment of our triumph became quite
under the Influence Of drink. The pilot, Adkins
was very drunk, hopelessly so, and Mr.. Tickle,
the LIST officer, completely stupened with liauor.-
It was 4 sad state of things, and in short time
thereafter occasiOned the loss of the poor little
vesta. Putting the ship upon a course the Cap.
tain sat In chair upon the deck and slept for over
-"
lst officer unit for dut y. The I'd officer was at
the wheel, where he had been from early In the
day, and not one officer Of the ship ,oas on lookout
When went on deck they were not TO be seen,
and NJ. Perrin, Of the navy, and few Of the men
were watching for the enemy. When the Captain
woke he changed the course towards the land. and
about O'Clock In the morning we came upon it,
With great dlfhculty the pilot was got deck, and
put In charge Of the ship, At the same tme he says
he asked the position, and was told we were ten
miles north of Fort Fisher. "Then," said he, 81
know where am" and he gave a course. The
Captains statement 10, that he asked the pilot If he
recognised the land, and hls reply was that "he
knew IL we'll" give both stories leaving all In.
ference - to theRmount OF knowledge either has
of the position ofths ship or Of the coast In teen
Etnutss We were among the breakers, the vessel
was headed directly into them, and In moment
we were fast in the sand. The engines we're re.
vsrsed aud worked for some hours, with fill head
Of steam. but this only i,abs ded her the more,-
Afsr time the ladies were sent ashore In the
bost, and portion Of their baggage landed; buta
boat was refused the passenger TO save all their
trunks and packages until quite too late.
Just before sanrise Capt Eustace set ire to the
vessel and Afterwards began 10 save the baggage -
At this time no sail was In sight and not until
some hours alter, whom attracted BY the smoke Of
the burning ship, aid one cone In view, and II was
quite two IN the evening when she ssngsd along
side. Then ail that remained Of the vesta was an
empty, useless she'll. scssesly anything vas
saved the passsageFs iosine posilon Of their beg
gage. splendid sslt of sail6sm, sent - psstep.
- Gen. Lee, was also bvnsd, and beside large
RI nbss Nwau -