The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-04-14
Running the Blockade.


The blockade Of a coast line OF three
thousand five hundred and forty nine
miles in length, greater in extent than
the whole coast Of Europe from Cape
Trafalgar to Cape North, was an un-
dertaking without precedent in history.
During our late war with Great Britain,
when that Power had 500 naval vessels
in commission, not a single port of the
United States was thoroughly blockaded.
Port after port Of the Contederacy was
closed, until we either held possession or
closed all their cities bordering on the
ocean, save Wilmington. From various
causes Cape Fear river was more difficult
to blockade than any port on the coast Of
the United States. The two main en-
frances are forty miles apart, and these
two are subdivided into several others,
any Of which can be made available
The water shoals gradually and regularly
to the shore line, and numerous detached
batteries were planted along the coast,
50 that blockade runnerOt light draught
could run close under the land, protected
by the rebels, and pass in over the bar at
leisure. When coming out, a steamer
could select her own time, securing every
advantage, passing either up or down
the coast before making an otfing, or il
thought preferable, could proceed straight
to sea, trusting for her escape to the
night and mists, and with the additional
advantage OF carrying Il high pressure Of
steam, as well as knowing about where
to look for her enemies Almost every
vessel employed in running the blockade
was constructed in England with great
skill, regardless of cost, and with sole
reference to the illicit trade, the profits
OF which were simply enormous. Many
who failed to make themselves acQuaint-
ed with the facts connected with the
Wilmington blockade, especially news
paper correspondents, were very severe
IN their criticisms OF the manner in which
it was conducted. The officers and men
OF the navy labored with untiring zeal and
sleepless vigilance through weary months
OF winter and summer, and in all weathers,
stimulated by patriotism and hopes Of
prize money, trying their best to break
up the traffic but, in the opinion of
prominent naval men, Wilmington is Il
port that can never be etfectuallv closed
Running the blockade at Cape Fear was
made matter OF business by foreign cap
italists, as we'll as by the rebels. Owing
to the vigilance of the fleet, articles of
commerce commanded a fabulous price,
and while a successful trip resulted in
large profits, the business was not prose
cuted withimpunity Sixty-tiye steamers,
| the aggregate value of which amounted
to l4,OOO,O0O were captured or destroy
Ell IN endeaVorlng to enter or escape from
wilmington. Some idea OF the difficulty
| OF closing the main entrance to Cape
Fear river can be formed when it is stat
ed that with fifty men of war, some of
them the fastest in the Federal navy.
commanded by naval officers specially
selected for their proweSs and skill, cruis-
ing increasingly tc and fro, blockade run
ners, watching the opportunities of dark
nights, and relying upon their eNtraOrdi-
nary speed, succeeded in euding the
lleet-heeled cruisers, entering us we'll as
leaving the blockade runners paradise
Such was the state of affairs when the
writer received orders to Join the man Of
war Blue Blazes, stationed off Cape Fear.
One night towards the latter part of
June found the Blue BlaZes well in shore
moving cautiously along, with the lead in
one Of those thick, damp, overwhelm
ing banks OF yapor resting on the surface
OF the ocean, rendering it all but impossi-
BILE to distinguish objects moving about
the deck, While overhead all was clear.
leaned idly over the tatfrail, anon watch
ing the bright bubbles and silyery CLEANS
otphosphorescent light, t,scintillating about
the steamers broad wake, then allowing
my thoughts to linger over scenes and as
sociates far removed from war. A gray
haired mother, pale and anxious for her
only son; broad shouldered, noble
hearted slre-as true sailor as ever trod
a vessels deck-since gone to his long
home-God rest his soul the kindly feat
ures of two as kind, generous and loving
sisters as ever a rowing brother was bless
ed with; the old home, filled with remin-
lscences of youthful days, tloated gent
ly, aye, pleasantly, through my teeming
brain, while the features of fair haired
maiden, fresh and rosy as June flower
watching, praying, for her absent lover
brought the moisture to my eye.
81 beg yer pardon" growled Sailor
Jack, the quartermaster, in my ear, "but
it strikes me, do yer see, sir, that there
is something wrong over there to the
eastward"
With start shook off the lethargv
the dreamy influence by which ! had been
beguiled, adjusted my belt, and "Richard
was himself again" | listened, peered
through the fog, and listened again, but
could distinguish nothing out of the com
mon way.
"What do you think there is in the
wind, Jack ?"
at struck me, do yer see, sir, that |
heard the boom of a gun to seaward
Mebbe one of these 'ere night-fyers is
skimmin' through the fleet"
Nonsense, you old croaker Had such
| been the case we would have seen a