The New York herald., 1866-01-04
NEWS FROM FORTRESS MoaR0E.
ccideht 10 the Agawam-The French
Despatch Vessel iD'Es,aing-Ratsfng of
the GnnboEt smith Briggs, go.

Despatch Vessel iD'EstRtng-Ratsfng of
the GmnboGt smith Briggs, SO.
orr FORTRESS MONROE CoRREsrosDKsoB-
Our Fortress Mon~oc CorresPondencc.
FORTRESS MONROE Jan. 2, 1885
The double ender United States vessel Agswam started
this morning 90 Norfolk TO coal ~ preliminary TO
rong To Beaufort, N c. where she had boen ordered,
when her steam chest exploded. Some CONSERVATION
was caused by the suddeuness and violence OF the expo
SION but no one fortunately hurt although Mr.. Rust
chief engineer escaped only by a miracle by aid OF
government tugs the vessel will be taken TO the
Portsmouth Navy Yard for repairs which will doubtless
delay her several days Already the Conemaugh has
taken her place. There general regret here at losing
the Agawam after having been stationed here 80 many
months Her officers, by their exceeding anabily and
generous hospitality have made hosts Of frends Though
coming into the service, the Agawam has made for
herself brilliant reputation After aiding In the chase
Lees squadron the James river and In the vicinity Of
Dutch Gap continuously under dre In the memorable
killed and wounded She oo-opcrsaed with the second
corps at the time OF the brilliant affair OF Chapns Farm
She was only saved being engaged At Port Fisher
through her boiler becoming disabled Her boiler bong
hxed, sue operated with General Scho6ed up the Neusc
river, at the taking Of Kinston and also sided In re
moving obstrucons from the river, In May last abe
here, She guarded the rebel prisons at Newpors
News until they were broken up Her armament s two
onehundred pounder Paretts four nine inch Dahsrens
and four howitxers, two twelve Founders and two
twenty -four FOUNDERS she is scared with the marks Of
the enenys shots in varoas places The following isa
list OF her oficers:--
Cmmander-R. 7. Renshaw.
Lieutendnt-G. {. Wiltse.
Ac.ing ASts ant Surgon-Thomas Owens
Acting Assisfaa Pdyrn aaer-H T. Stanclin
Acting Mdstert-C NJ Anthony and H II. North
Acting Ensigns-Andrew McCieary, Peter Howard, J.
Greenhalgh and Paul Boyden.
Engneers--Actng First Assistant J. +. p Rust; Act
ing Third Assistants, w. g. Kaufman, George b. McDer
mott J. II. Harmony and George C. Nelson.
Acting Gunnef--Andrew Harman.
Ndes--Leon Bryant and H. J. Foley.
Cdpidin's CIsrk-E. NJ Stanford.
Pdyndster's Clrk-A. W. Dunlop
THE FRENCH pfsPATcH vEssKL
the u Estang was TO have returned TO Baltimore to
day but has delayed her departure account Of the
stormy weather II h understood that after few weeks
absence she will return here again. II will be remem-
bered that she spent time Norfolk nearly year
ago.
GOVERNMENT SALE.
Another In the long and seemingly uncnding list OF
auction sales OF government property took place to-day
al Camp Hospital Good prices we're realized
BREWING.
There are Indications OF a protracted northeaser
chilly has fallen all day and as the mail steamers
about leaving there Indications OF q heavy fog.
Efforts 10 be made by the Quartermasters Depart
ment 10 raise the gunboat Smith Briggs, sunk by the
rebels nearly years ago, during attack on Smith
vile. The walking beam and connections have beon
carried to Richmond, but her boiler, shaft and the
greater part OF the machinery yet remain The Briggs
belonged to General Grahams army gunboat hotilia,
operating on the James river during the war. (