The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-03
SHIP w r E OK s..
Additional Particulars OF the Loss OF the
United states steamer Nsrcfssus.

United states steamer Nsrcissus.
We are indebted TO Acting Ensign T. q. n Lehman OF
the United States steamer Newbern for the following
additional particulars kindly furnished 70 our reporter
concerning the loss OF the United States steamer Narcis
sus which vessel wrecked the night or the ID OF
january or Tampa Bay Florida and Ill on board Of the
Inflated vessel were lost.
The Narcissus, under the command OF Captain brad'
bury left Pensacola for Key wos on Monday, January
in company with the steamer Ahca, and the next day
Cruesday) made the land between Fort Harrison and
Mullen Key somewhat to the north or the entrance Of
Tampa Bay The shoals here make out into the Gulf
some Eve or six miles, and the steamers Narcssus and
Athea otter making the land coasted down along the
outer edge Of the shoals the wind and current being
both from the northwest and setting directly on tho
shoals they found 1t hard work to keep clear OF the
breakers The steamer Althca about one milo ahead
OF the Narcissus with the latter vessel about mile
nearer to tho shoals. and thoy were both steaming
along pleasantly and without accident until just
previous To nightfal whom the Narcissus made signal
for her consort to come within hail When the vessels
bad ncared each other sufficiently TO allow OF under
standing being had Captain Bradbury Of tho Narcissus
proposed TO Captain Klgore Of the Ahea the proprcty
II anchoring where they for the night; but this
Bain Kilgore deemed iniudicous and advised Captain
and zion was finally accepted by Captain Bradbury
During vessels Immediately headed or shore.
in communiervai that elapsed while the vessels were
| blowing strson with each other the wind that was
was running from the northwest and tho current that
considerable iiAe same direction, drfted the vessels
the fatal wife towards the shoals and THIS was
had the Narclsss foil informed on such matters, that
her to come back she ed the Althea without signalling
| the shoals I'D not have been drited upon
After the commanders o.,
out the Ahea stcereac vessels concluded 20 run
dead against wind and tid northwest course, wncn
more to the westward. The Arpu' ,nc NaIssSis KsI.
once upon the edge OF tho shoals, ~ so.y @
without further damage and contH @ h "ro ,ue
Tho Narcissus distance asteu on nc,
TINS time and was observed making sS., VIZ 49, a,s
but Captain Kgore, OF tho Althea n oi uSsIess
struck, dare not turn back to her asslng a'resny
signals used on beard the Narssus whannoc' ic
as Cosia's regular naval Signals and which |,o VA
second Assistant Enslyn McAlstcr of the Althefel,,
the numbers down they were burned on board or
Narcissas, bat was unable N interpret them, tn
appeared " be soEscs IA. confused and II Is suppose.
that in the excitement OF the moment those on board OF
Inc Narcissus made OF the first lights tina. came
ther hands without any regard to the order Of the
Ders Captain kilgore then made signal asking them
II they were IN danger; but to this he received
swor acr which ho stood OF from the land and saw no
moro OF the Inflated steamer
The next day the Athca put into Tampa Bay and sent
boat TO the beach to ascertain " possible
tdngs u the Narcssus. Here they picked up the dead
body of one of the nrcraep which he'd been washed
ashore and the hat OF Captain Bradbury and saw the
hull Of the vessel In tho surf about four miles from the
beach, but could not reach her Of the heavy
sea Thrtytwo persons including officers and men all
fold porshed board of the IN ated steamer not soul
escaping TO tell the tale Acting Ensign A. f. bradbury
was In command OF the Nacissus when she lost and
MT Dunbar was the executive officer With the excep-
ton OF these unable 10 ascertain the names OF
the officers and men.
The steamer Narcssrs was the came vessel that was
blown mp by rebel torpedo in Mobile Bay the 7th OF
December, 1854 She afterwards raised and was
employed by The g0ycfnmcnt tue and dcspa ch boat
Tor inc ionsacoa Navy Yard. She screw tusboat
OF one hundred and ono TONS and carried battery Of
two guns