The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-02
TREPAWNEE IN Il FIX.
How She was Relieved by the British
Authorities at Nassau.

From late Issue Of the Nassau, y. P, Guar
tian we take the following:
On Sunday morning last, the United States
Consul received letter from Captain Quacken-
bush, Of the United States navy, reporting that
the Pawnee, a vessel under his command, was
lying in dangerous position TO the SOUTH
ward OF Stlrrup's Cay Light. The letter was writ.
ten under the supposition that there might be an
American lrlgateln Bahamian waters. The con-
suiimmediately waited upon his E&eellency the
Governor and represented the circumstances OF
the case. The services Of the Philomel were I'M
me1iately placed at the disposal Of the Americans
and Captain Douglas Walker, 70 brother OF ID. b..
Ms Consul at Charleston,) at O'Clock let tne
harbor, having on board the the consul, F.: q.
Whitehouse, ESQ.,. (the captains guestO and
pilot. At sunset they sighted Berry Islands, the
object OF their search, and anchored seven miles
from them In eleven fathoms water. The night
was bright, but there was scarcely light enough
to show, In all her ugllness, this extraordi-
nary vessel. On boarding her, however, her I'M.
mense height, and low and strangely placed spars,
were as once explained. Having done good duty
work, the United States naval authorities re.
novel her engines, and converted her into
hospital ship. The huge deck which had been
put over an, gave her broad.ide Of sixteen ieet,
oft. Three false keels had been added TO give
her some steadiness, with the vain expectation OF
reducing her lee.way. The offic rs and crew OF q
hundred and twenty, made up In comfort s!, Wha1
they lacked IN Spceu. Two lauieS dlso SpJoI Gu
the hospItallties Of the spacious waru.
room, where the captain and olncers
messed; and II, after dinner, there was mt no
dancing. it was not fer want OF larger
space than any room In the Royal Victoria Hotel
affords. The history Of the Pawnee cruise was
briefly told. Starting from Portsmouth, q: H.,l
accompanied by the Severn, she had driited down
to Norfolk. EmbOldened by this success, the
Navy Department ordered her to proceed alone TO
Key West; but having got unfortunately 10 tne
southwark OF StrrupS Cay. and being In sound
ings, they anchored on Friday night, and were
spoken next morning by the Mink. The Phiomel
proceeded at once 10 send on board chain haW-
SER receiving from the Pawnee seven-ncn
cable, aud In the shortest possible time Started
aneal about four knots norihwurds. AT O'CLOCK,
being nine miles from Strrup's Cay. the towllne
was cast OF, and she Immediately anchored
to await breeze. Furnished with the pilot
from tile Ph!lonlel, and course laN aoWl
for her by the captain and navigating oincer
Lieutenant Hire there Is fair reason 10 eA
pect that SHE may ride safely across the
Great Bahama Bank; and, taking fresn de
action OF the Gulf Stream and the customary \. n
Winds be able to make Key West. IL is scarcely
the province OF q British newspaper TO comment
upon the short. t.cumngs OF q foreign admiralty
still there Is something requiring explanation ~
the senlln9 OF ship. with valuable lives, 10 sea
under such circumstances without steam
tender.
On her return TO port, the Phlomel received
orders from the admiral TO remain at nassau
until relieved. The officers OF this vessel nave
made themselves so popular during the time tney
have been on this stafion that We trust tile RELIEF
may be long In coming.