Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-03-03
From the Progress
Trip Of the Advance.

~. ~.
steamer ADV ance has just returned from
a short and successful trip to St. Georges,
Bermuda. A short history of the trip may
be acceptable to the public generally, and
to the people of North Carolina especi-
ally.
The Advance left her wharf at Wiz
mingtcn on Saturday morning, 9th inst,
at 8 o'clock. About 10 O'Clock she got
aground on the Lower Slough, where she
remained until o'clock, p. M, waiting
for the tide. By night she had succeeded
in running the ''home blockade by which
l mean she had passed out of reach of the
military and naval authorities, some of
whom came on board for some purpose
Or another at almost every fort, station,
&C.
And now commenced what is generally
termed running the block" The anxi ety
of all on board, and especially of the off,
GERS, may we'll be imagined. The sea is
calm, and it is very pleasant on deck
Our lights are out, and we glide almost
noiselessly along. Every eyesi is straining
out upon the dark bosom of the ocean, and
every ear is listening attentively for the
voice Of the watch at the masthead. More
steam is crowded on, and away we dart.
But one blockader is seen, and that is too
far off to occasion the least apprehension,
even if we are discovered. Presently two
lights are seen far to our right, but wheth.
er on shore or on vessels we neither know
nor care. BY midnight we consider our~
selves out Of danger, and all "turn in"
except those necessary for working and
watching the vessel.
The weather remained mild and balmy.
We passed several sails each day, to one
of which we showed the Confederate flag,
but obtai ned no response. On Tuesday
evening, we were near Bermuda, but as
we could not 60 in at night, we tackled a
bout until morning, when pilot came on
board and carried us in.
The Advance carried out go bales of
cotton, which were soon rolled out upon
the wharf. On Thursday night the cotton
was discovered to be on fire, supposed to
have been the work Of an incendiary.-
Comparatively small quantity was con-
sumed-perhaps 40 or SO bales burnt and
injured.
My impressions of Bermuda were tavor-
able. 1t certainly presents a romantic ap
pearance. But as only design an account
OF onr trip [ will not now speak more of
the island.
By Saturday evening we had taken in
OuI iOCu1u SolS osuN Juot OOAoA0 AlSos We
steamed away. We found the ocean rough
er than on our outward trip, bnt still We
made good progress until Monday night,
when it blew furious gale. 1t was we'll
for the writer that he was Gland lubber,"
and did not know when to get scared. The
vessel was eased to about knots an hour,
but even at this speed the deck was food
ed continually with the briny waters.---
The cold was also intense. Truly was the
metal of both ship and crew tested and
just as trul was it proven pure. 80
With the ceming.of the day the storm
abated some, though the wind still blew
strongly, and the waves frequently broke
on deck. It became a matter of doubt
whether we could make the distance, 30 as
to run through the blockading feet during
the few dark hours after moon down that
night--or rather next morning. 1t was
important to do SO, as the dark hours we're
growing tearfully fewer every night. But
we succeeded. ~ h...4is
And now behold us, without a light ON
board, the wind, though much abated,
still blowing at speed of nearly 90 miles
an hour. Every one looking for what hs
hopes not to find-a blockader. But we
did find, not only one, but seven. We LETT
them upon our right and our left. It were
contrary to the human mind not to feel
deep anxiety at such time; but / do not
believe there was quailing spirit ON
board. All felt the utmost confidence in
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