The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-04-06
Running the Blockade.

| IWenty-six years ago to- day on the
1st of April, 1865, an incident took place
off Galveston harbor in which Capt. Sim
Adkins the Nestor Of Charleston harbor
then the gallant commander Of dash
ing blockade runner, the Foo, bore q
prominent part. The story is best told
by John F. Mackie, then q sergeant in
the marine corps, and doing duty on the
United States Steamer Seminole, one Of
the blockading squadron off Galveston
harbor.
| Mr.. Mackie relates how the Foo Was
discovered about 10 O'Clock in the morn
ing "righ abeam," how all hands were
called to quarters and the Seminole
started in pursuit Of her prey, long,
low steamer about eight miles to the
eastward, burning black smoke, steam
ward. The stranger sighted the Semi
mole and changed her course instantly
from west to northwest and steamed
directly for the Texan shore, distant
about eight miles, which trends rapidly
to the northeast above Galveston. By
this course the stranger would strike
tho shore in about an hour,
unless prevented by US from SO
doing. If successful she could make
all inner channel which runs between
the shore and sand bar which runs
along the Texan coast, distant about
half a mile from the mainland; but on
this bar there is only about ten feet Of
water inside there is twelve, and some
times fifteen feet.
The Seminole overhauled her prey
gradually and prepared to open fire.
on her from our eleven-inch pivot, ex-
ploding shell right under her bow and
nearly deluging the ship with water, but
doing no further harm. While We were
reloading the pivot she put her helm
''hard a-starboard" and ran across our
bow, heading directly for the shore
distant about mile and q half-appar-
emily intonding'to run herself ashore.
While this was being done we were not
idle ; the change, of course, compelled
US to ''shorten SAIL
AS soon as the last man reached the
deck Capt. Clarey shouted "put your
helm hard a-starboard, SIR" Hard
a-starhoard, sir" answered tho officer at
the wheel the same moment, putting the
wheel sharply about, and the ship turn
ed on her heel as if she knew what was
expected Of hef and started now right
abeam, starboad side about mile off.
bringing our whole battery of five guns
to bear on her. The captain cried out
to forward rife: "Fire as soon as you
are ready and without further orders,
only don't waste the ammunition. Pivot
there, sir; fire carefully, and aim at the
wheel-house and at no other place. Sink
her if possible 60 ahead and show us
what you can do. Quarterback battery
(six eisht-inch guns,) take good aim and
fire as rapidly as you can aim at the
wheel-house don't let her get away
from u.s.
All this was done in less time than it
takes to describe it, and as we were now
nearing her rapidly it seemed impossible
that she could escape US. A she'll from
the rife exploded over her; she'll from
the eleven-inch burst close beside her,
and the three and eight-inch shell guns
were sending their compliments thick
and fast but strange to say not single
shot had struck her. She seemed to
bear charmed life. We were about
. half mile distant from the shore
when she suddenly changed her course
to south-southwest and started to run
down along the coast, heading directly
for US.
1t was now nip and tuck. The
stranger was going to run for it, and had
the bar between us. Our only chance
was to sink her before she got in. Moth
ing now could save her, as the steamer
Pcguin, which had been after the other
sail, which, ky the way, was a passing
friend, now Joined us in. the chase, and
opened upon the flying steamer with no
better success than before, her shots fly
ing wide of the mark. The most tre-
mendous excitement prevailed on board
each vessel. Capt. ClareY raved and
swore and stamped in an intense but
su bdued tone, but all to no effect. Shot
after shot went over and exploded be-