New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-26
The seenmer Vfrginius.


NEW YORK, May pa special from
Washington gives the official report to the
Navy Department of Lieutenant Com
mander White, of the United States steamer
Kansas, in relation to the departure OF the
steamer Virginius from the harbor at Aspln-
wall, and the means taken by his vessel to
enforce respect for the flag under when
the ViFginius sailed The following are the
extracts:
The American Consul having informed
me that there was no cause whatever Tor
the detention of the Virginius, and that he
had shipped her crew that day, and that
her papers would be all ready at an early
hour the next mOrning-the twenty-sixth
instant-I therefore came on board the ship
for action, and loaded the battery. This ]
did under cover of darkness, for the reason
that I thought it best to make no demon
stration which might lead the commander
of the PizarrO to believe that preparations
were being made with hostile intent, for
the reason that they were precautionary
measures merely, and l did not desire
to do anything which might be con-
strued as mere bravado. During the
next day, the twenty-sixth instant prepare
tons for sea were plainly visible on board
the Virginius. Her motions we're closely
followed by the PizarrO. Both vessels were
getting up steam, and their boats were
hoisted. The large rifle pivot of the Pizarro
mounted on the mOrtar-deck was pointed
on the Virginius, as well as her two star
board broadside guns. /, therefore, sent
the men quietly to quarters, making no dis
play above the rail, neither showing crew
at the rifled twenty FOUNDER or the forecas-
tie, nor making display of marine guard
ON the p0Op-deek. / served out an ample
suppIy Of ammunition for small arms and
pistols, and inspected carefully all arrange
ments for supplying powder and lighting the
guns, and made preparations for shipping
and buoying the cable. This being done |
caused the men to leave their quarters with
their belts equipped, TO be deposited at the
guns ready for use at a moments warning.
At five minutes to six o'clock in the after
noon the Virginius got under weigh, and at
the same moment we shipped our chain,
went to quarters and cast loose the battery
and sanded down the decks fore and aft.
The Virginius Immediately took up position
on our bow. We steamed ahead so as to
bring the FiZarrO on our starb0ard quarter.
In this relative position the two vessels pro-
eeeded to sea, the Virginius being about
two cables length ahead, and the PiZarFo
three cables length off our starbOard quar-
ter. The Kansas stayed by the Yirginius
until the PizarrO was some five miles
astern, she then returned to the harbOr
can not conclude this report without ex-
pressing to you with what pride / looked
on the officers and men Of this vessel, as we
steamed out of the harbor, as they stood on
the sanded decks, armed and equipped, at
their loaded guns. could read deter
mination in the faces of all. Every man
would have done his duty. Should an en-
have taken place, leave it to
those who believe in the guns of American
to conjecture what would have
been the result.
The following is the Endorsement of the
Secretary of the Navy:
The whole course and conduct in relation
to the Virginius is approved in every re-
spect. GEORGE NJ. robson.