The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-02-14
THE MISSING TENNESSEE.
Letter from the Secretary of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, February 10,
The Secretary of the Navy has address
ed the following letter to Representative
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WAsurNGToN February H.

.WAsHINGToN, February IL.
DEAR SIR; In reply to your note in re.
gard to the Tennessee, and to quiet Us lar
rs may be the apprehension which may
have been excited as to her safety, l beg
to say that ut the time OF her departure
the Commission had not decided whether
they would proceed directly to San Do
mingo City, or first visit Samana bay or
some other port on the northern coast Of
the Dominican Republic; that II she pro-
ceeded directly to San Domingo City, the
voyage would at the ordinary rate Of
speed under steam, consume from eight TO
ten days; that no advices have been re.
ceived from San Domingo City or any
other port to which the Tennessee
would be likely to 60 since the
tilne Of her departure. There are at
this season Of the year no lines Of ordi.
nary and regular communication from
San Domingo city or other ports In San
Domingo toany place from which could,
since the time the Tennessee was due ar
her destination, have received telegraphic
communication or other advices Of her ar.
rival or non.arrival there. Notwithstand.
ing the means of communication provided
none are likely to have been employed,
except in case of disaster; that since she
crossed the Gulf stream, probably about
latitude 80 degrees north, she would be
out Of the track Of vessels bound to our
ports, and that If her voyage was success
iul we cannot expect advices from lfer,
except accidently, until the return of the
Tybee, which makes the only regular line
OF communication, and which will be due
in N. Y. in about 10 days. The Tennessee
Is q new ship, nearly 5000 tons burden,
carefully and strongly built, larger than
any ship Of our squadron cruising In the
West Indies, and is'as staunch and sea-
worthy as any ship in our navy, She was
launched since the close Of the war, and
was found perfectly seaworthy in n long
and boisterous trip. She Is commanded
by careful and experienced officers, had u
iull complement Of officers and men, and
Is completely provisioned and equipped.
She carries ten boats along, with q large
steam launch. We have heard Ot no bad
weather In the latitude where she would
likely be, and her route did not take her
any such distance from the ports OF our
own coast and the West Indies that In
case Of any serious accident the survivors
Of any but the most extraordinary disaster
would not most likely have been heard
from, The steamer Tybee leN New
York on, the first Of February,
sailing In the track Of the Tennessee, and
ut her usual rate, would have arrived at
San Domingo on the Slh; and In cdsc Of
any disaster to the Tennessee on her voy.
age, or Of her non.arrival at some port Of
the Dominican Republic by that date,
news would most likely have been car
riGd by one Of our own cruisers, or by ex-
traordlnary means, which In that case on.
" would have been employed, to Jamaica,
whence we might by this iime4aye heard
by telegraph. That II seems to me there
Is no greater cause for anxiety concerning
the Tennessee than for any other ship our
navy has on the ocean; and that the ab.
scnce Of adviccs Is by no means evidence
Of any disaster, but will DO hencelorth,
and TIL finally heard by regular means
each day, strong assurances Of q safe and
successful voyage, and that the sugges.
tlons OF her loss has been made without
information and maintained without
cause, and arc US weak as they are cruel,
Very respectfully, "
ISigned. GRo. NJ. RoBEsON,
Secretary Of Tho Nary ,