Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-08
Fer TIE STAR.
The Capture Of the ssGeOrgiana.''
SINGULAR PRISONKRS.

tFeR TIE STAR.
The Capture Of the ssGeOrgiana.',
SINGULAR PRISONERS.
On the night OF the 18th OF March, 1868, the
c. s. gunboat Wissahickon, commanded by
Lieutenant Commander John l. Davis, (now a
Captain,) with Lieut.. Casey (now Commander
as executive officer, was lying on the outer
blockade Of Charleston Harbor waiting anxiously
Tor some reckless and over confident British
plOckade runner to run across her hawSer We
mad already spent many weeks OF extreme vigil
lance, without having received any reward ex-
S Spp In the CONSCIOUSNESS OF having done our
stantla! benefits had begun TO be to great de-
gree diScourag1ng, when an event occurred
upon the night mentioned. which, although 1t
resulted In no pecuniary advantage to us, at
least relieved US Of the anticipated morti1ca-
ton OF having the war reach its close without
our having made capture. The night was in
able for the successful accomplishment OF the
OBJECT for which we were there, and 1t only re-
NAMED for the victim to make his appearance
upon tne scene, 10 demonstrate the earneStneSS
with which we regarded our responsible situa-
uon. The look-outs We're posted fore and aft
the cabin, ward room and steerage matches
were covered with tarpaulinS to prevent the
light from being seen, the lanterns were
covered with canvas jackets the cable
was was ouoyed ready to slip, and the guns crews
ton vas permitted, and every possible precau-
ton was taken to prevent our presence becom
ing known to the unfortunate blockade runner,
officers who were Off watch had gone below to
turn 10, and the decks were deserted by all ex-
cept those whose duties required them to re-
Davis to remain on deck each night far into the
night watching and listening Carefully for any
evidence OF Blockade running; and, as the night
in question was one which demanded extreme
vigilance, lie remained on deck up to the mid
Watch and until the watches were changed at
that hour. Nothing had occurred up to that
nd TO distm our serenity, and no sound was
deck. as he paced back and forth upon the
bridge; when, at about one bell of the mid
watch, firing was heard from the fleet outside
US. The rattle was Immediately sprung and In
moment we were all at our quarters ready
Tor action. We had been accustomed to Sleep
Ing with the greater part of our clothes on to
DE prepared Tor any such emergency as the one
Which had arisen, so that no time was lost upon
this occasion, In the preparation of our toilets,
ana the appearance OF many Of us would
us to very proper criticism. We were convinced
from the direction in which the firing had been
heard, that a genuine blockade runner was
somewhere In our immediate vicinity and this
conviction brought with it. an intense desire on
our part to make his acquaintance. Our large
pivot gun am1dships was run out, and the
olcer stood waiting the command from Capt
Davis 10 IRE, as soon as the stranger should
make his appearance. Our suspense was not of
long duration, for in a very few minutes large
steamer was close aboard of us, having success
fully escaped the other ships In an instant.
and before she had time to change her course
our large gun was trained on her and the COM
mand given to fire, which was promptly obeyed
Upon this the steamer stopped, and showed a
light, and an officer hailed u.s. saying he sur
rendered; Whereupon, the order was given to
suspend firing on her. We at once got under
way, and as we approached him. he took to his
heels again, steering away from us, and endeav
orlng to run In along the beach to the north OF
us we dld not propose to have this program
performed II we could prevent it. and we did not
feel like showing him any special respect or cour-
tesy since he had SO unceremQniOuSly parted
from us. So soon as he started to leave US
eur ship was gotten under way, and taking II
!Or granted That he would still pursue his reck-
less course toward Charleston, we SHAPED our
course SO as to head him of In that enterprise
Which we soon succeeded In doing; at the same
dlme giving him another taste of our pivot gun.
Thls last shot had evidently disabled him, for
ne ran on to bar about two miles from Breach
Inlet, and showed bright light. A boat was
lmmeolately sent to board him, under the charge
OF Lieut.. Casey, who had instructions to bring
back the prisoners with him, and ascertain
what her cargo was We waited anxiously for
1ne return OF the boat, and were impatient to
strictly his orders with regard to the prisoners,
for In due course of time he returned, bringing
them with him. They consisted of large
Newfoundland dog. and an immense SouthdoWn
sheep, which he reported were the only prison
ers TO be found, and by whom he was welcomed
at at the gangWay as he stepped on board; both
hoNIDS WITHOUT any words on the
subject. The officers and crew OF the stranger
had escaped TO the shore in their boats before
they could be captured. All night was spent
runner Off the bar, and She was desert
ed at daylight, and we rendered her
destruction complete by firing shells. into
her, her all H. the following day; We ascer:
that she was loaded with arms, ammunition
and medical stores She was an iron Clyde
built steamer OF about thousand tons, and
saved her. The dog, which we had captured, was
transferred to the receiving ship at Phila 1eiphia
upon our return home His companion the
sheep v hich had accom- panied him on his visit
to this country, had long since succumbed TO
some wasting disease, which had been induced
by the unnatural life on Shipboard during the
progress OF which it had presented a most
de]e cted appearance, and its wool had gradually
disappeared under the ravages of the disorder.
until 1t became an act OF mercy to consign 1t to
Watery grave, which fate it finally met
l. E. VAIL.