Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-28

EYE WITNESS.
The following account of the wreck and destruction
of the pew and beautiful blockade runner Vesta, is
taken from letter written by Bohemian, correspor
Mt of tie Richmond Dispatch, who was passenger,
returning from a trip across the deep blue sea.
Sunday, Jan. 3d. YVES wearing rapidly
away as lay of the town of ST. Georges, steam was
up and every hing in readiness tor departure when the
order should be given It little after four O'Clock
before the anchor was weighed, but in short time
thereafter passedlong the town. winding among the
little islands down by the scowlng black mouhed guns
of the fortress straight through the narrow pass which
opened out into the broad Atlantic On We went over
the neaving waves farther and farther from the fast
ceding shores dusky nigbshadows gathered over the
sea- deepening every moment, until the land grew dim
and ndistnct and the still vexed Bermootbes was
hidden from view. When th7 stars come out there
was nothing but SIX and water and then orr b mt
ward bound yea voyage was begun. Two days and
nights of god sailing follow with scarcely sail to
torn US from the proper course. The third day out,
however, our trouble began The weather grew heavy,
the rough, and several sail and from.
The next day, and the next were both stormy, and the
sun was not q moment visible. We had then reached
the cruising grounds and were chased here and there in
every direction.
The Vests was q new iron steamer, with double en-
gnes and screw we'll fitted for blockade running, and
had on board valuable cargo belonging to the Gov
erpment Under full steam she could meke twelve or
fourteen knots, and confident the latter speed
made for two three hours when chased by yankee crus
ers A sister ship to- the Ceres, she was admirable
craft, and upon all occasions conducted herself with
marked propriety, walking rapidly away from all stran
gers who offered any uncaed for attentions. Satur
day, January 9th, had serious chase, and were
driven far to the Southwark before night came and
gave US an opportunity OF heading again towards the
land. This We expected to make before day-in time
to in under the guns OF Fort Fisher before it
light-but after running in till nearly sunrise land
appeared. We had gone too far during the chase to
make the return distance in time Heading again,
some halt an hour, and tEen, cruisers being
in sight, the engines were stopped and the ship
hove to. The came out and chance
offered to get our position, but the Captain was asleep
and the first officer (Tckle) made an attempt with the
sextant but nothing definite came of it, 1t was sup
posed that we five and forty miles eff Cape
Lookout, but whether not may be classed
among Historical doubts" Well, not to make my
story too long, here remained until about midday,
when steamer in sight and immediately bore
down upon us. Scarcely had we got under steam be-
fore two moe steamers had discovered and joined n
the chase. Of course we now bad to run for it: 1t
impossible to 60 at full speed without showing a
black coad OF smoke, and this became visi
BILE, we had the VIII DE bockadng feet down upon US.
they sprang up upon every side, by magic and in
halt an hour we were completed surrounded. Capture
seemed certain, and there chance of escape ex-
cept to the gauntlet. This was determined upon
and On we BOWED straight through the fleet, eleven
steamers fast closing upon US. hree or four ahead
running bows, trying to US eff as
many more either BEAM bearing down upon US, and
the rest coming up astern
At length they opened fire distance of nearly a
mile firing their bow guns, still keeping their
The shots fell all around US, but tor long time none
struck the ship Nearer and nearer they came and
then, when only half mile away, two, IN the bows
veeSed around and gave US broadside. This re-
peated every few moments, and this in reality proved
the means OF our escape for the time lost in turning
gave the lead, and, slipping between the two ahead
the gauntlet of their fire, and in a short time
svsry one of them left estern The firing still con-
tinued, and one shot passed through the ship but do
ing little damage. Dark came on, slowly enough it
seemed to u.s. and finally we were hidden sufficiently to
change the course All pursuers passed by u.s. and
completely doubling them, turned az was sup
posed again towards Wilmington. 1t was hot fire
for time, and for over two hours target for
Yankee gunners. >Eighty-eeven shots fred from
all the ships, but provdentialy, but board
injured. Captain Eustace managed the ship WE'LL
and during the hottest fire up his flag to show de-
fanca.
Free olce more, another attempt was made to run
in but now, sorry to soy, greatest trial came
Capt Eustace doring the action had visited the lock-
little too often, and just in the first moment of our
rumph became quite under the influence of drink The
pilot Adkins, was very drunk, hopelessy so and Mr.
Tickle, the lst officer, completely Supplied with liquor.
1t sad state of things and in short time there
after occasioneu he loss of the poor little Vesta Put
ting the ship upon course, the captain sat in chair
upon the deck and slept for an hour The pilot
in the cabin, and the 1st officer unfit for duty
The I'd officer was at the Wheel WI be had beer from
early in the day, and not officer 1S on the lookout
When went CT deck they not to be seen and Mr..
Perrin, OF the navy, and few OF the men, were watch
ing for the en- n.y. When the captain woke he changed
the tON aids the land and about two O'Clock in
the morning We came upon it. With great
difficulty the pilot got deck, and put in charge
oflhe ship, at the ime he says be asked the posi-
ton, and told ten miles north of Fort
Fisher. "Ihen,' said be II know were am" and be
gave course The Captains statement u.s. that be ask
ed the pilot if he recognized the land and his reply was
that "be knew it WE'LL. give both stot;es, leaving
all differences to the position of the ship Or of the
coast In fifteen minutes among the breakers
the vessel headed directly into them and in mo-
ment were Gs in the sand The engines reversed
and worked for hours with full head of seam but
this only lmbeded her the Alter time the ladies
were ashore 10 the boat, and portion or their bag
gage landed but beat refused the passengers to
all their trunks and packages until quite too late
Just before sunrise Captain Eusace set fire to the
vessel and afterwards began to the baggage. At
this time 10 sail was In sight, and not until come
hours AFTER when attracted by the smoke of the burn
ing ship, did in view, and it was quite two in
the evening when she ranged alongside Then all that
remained OF the vessel was empty useless shell.
Scarcely anything was saved the passengers losing
portion of their baggage. splendid suit of uniform
besides large cargo of shoes and army goods belong
ing 10 the Government. 1t was total loss
Soon after daydreak Co. of the coast guard came
down to assist US, and from them We learned we were
at Little River Inlet s. o. some sixty miles south of
where it was supposed made the land, have thus
given plain statsment of facts regarding the loss of
this fine steamer and her cargo leaving ell comment
upon them until an Investigation of the shall be
had, and the blame for the loss clearly established.
The following persons were passengees on the Testa
from Bermuda Mrs. John Mitchell, Miss Minnie
Mitchell, Miss Isabel MITCHELL Mr.. T. J. Seed Mr. j.
o. Moses, G. s. n, Lieut. j. 81. Gardner do Mr. B.