The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-06-05

pelilng England ana france 10 keep ihelr
hands Of.
Many a victory which the army received the
credit for might never have been achieved but
for the cooperation Of the navy. The value Of
the rebel vessels and block ade-TunnerS captured
and destroyed labout $50 captured, 40 de-
stroyed) was not less than S7,000000 making
total loss, with their cargoes, of at least $780,
100000
The {. s. Steamer San Jacinto was second
class frgate, the same as the Princeton, Sus-
uuehanna and Nandalia; was bark rugged, and
had screw propeller. She was armed with 10
6s-pouuders, broadside guns, one l0O-rounder
pivot gun on the forecastle, one 20-pounder on
the pooP-deck and two howitzers.
To the best Of my recollection we had 26O
men, including officers, sailors, marines and
everybody.
MASON AND sLIDELL CAPTURED.
The San Jacinto FIRST achieved celebrity in the
Trent affair and the capture OF the rebel Com
missioners, Mason and Siidell. She was at that
time commanded by capt. Charles Wilkes, with
Mcneil Fairfax as First Lieutenant (The
Lieut.. Fairfax of then is now on the Retired
List as Rear-Admiral.) This event took place
Nov. 8. 1861. and came very near embroiling
the United States in a war with England.
Messrs. Mason and Sidel had run the block
ade of Charleston and had reached Havana on
their way 10 England as accredited Ministers
from the Confederate States to Great Britain
and France.
Capt. Wilkes having ascertained that they
had taken passage on the English mail steamer
Trent which sailed from ST. Thomas on the lst
OF November, determined TO capture them.
On the Sth the san Jacinto overhaued the
Trent We Immediately beat 10 quarters and
Lieut. Fairfax was ordered 10 board her and
examine the passen ger-llst. Upon reaching the
deck Of the Trent be informed the Captain who
he was. and requested 70 see the passenger-list
This was fatty refused. Messrs Mason and
Slidell hearing the discussion came forward
Lieut.. Fairfax told them the object Of his visit.
They earnestly protested against being taken
on board Of the San Jaciuto and all the passen-
gers became greatly excited. The Lieutenant.
fearing a resort 20 violence on their part,
ordered the marines on board from the boat
alongside. Then there was a tumult indeed
" Pirates pirates!" was shouted from every
side. Dir. slidell's distinguished looking daugh-
Ter declared emphatcally that no one should
take her father away. But the Lieutenant
seized Mr.. Mason by his collar and Slidell,
coming out Of his state-room, was taken bold
Of BY Others, and both were at once hurried
into the boat.
The details Of their subsequent release are
familiar TO all.
B0MBARDING sEwELL's POINT.
May :, 1862 in company with the frigates and
gHnboats DaeOtah, SusqHehanna, Seminole,
Naugatuck and the Monitor. the San Jacinto
the rebel batteries there, aided by the Union
battery on the Rip aps. After firing for some
time tire rebel steamer MerTimac came ont.
There was no engagement with her, further
than firing II long range. The object of this
demonstration by the vessels was 10 ascertain
the condition Of the rebel shore batteries, in
order o inform the military authorities as TO
the pTOprieiy ol attack upon Norfolk, Va
Ia the Spring OF l-63 il was found necessary
% send the vessel to New York for repairs She
remained al the Aayy-yard for over two months,
and was thoroughly oyerhauied. After an ad-
oitIon 10 her crew Of sailors from the re-
ceiVing ship North Carolina and a guard Of
marines from the barracks Al Washington.
tue San Jacinto sailed about June 81 1863,
for Key West, Fla, and on arriving there re-
heTed the frigate st. Lawrence, and was AS
signed ~ flagship for Admiral Theodorus Bailey
IN the East Cuff Bl0ckadiBg Squadron, with
headquarters at Key West Admiral Bailey
bad relieved Acting Roar-Admiral Lardner in
command ol this squadron.
Unfortunately for as We had no rebel strong
bold Within our limits 70 capture, where we
might win nndyiug glory. But We had the
most Ftckly station on the whole blockade. The
yellow fever was always lurking around and
we probably lost more men by sickness than
were killed ia battle in any Of the other squad
nOns. The cemetery ~ Key West was 50 full
that there WAS scarcely room to bury them
Between drilling a tie heavy guns and with
smail-arms. doing picket duty in the boats aud
chasing and capturing biOckade-rnDners, we
constantly had orr hands full. Although we
bad only some 20 vessels, including six steam
ere, we captured in little more than a year
and half more than $50 blockade runners Of
Of all sizes. Id0n't know " no got all the prize
money, as very little Of it fell 10 the sailors
and Marines
IL q standing Joke in the navy that they
had d ladder Ia Washington 20 throw the
prize money against; that that fell through
The officers got aud any that happened 10 stick
10 the rUHgs the sailors got
Although bad a share in 10 prizes captured.
the most that ever got in any one prize was
81, and that was for the blockade runner Ala.
baDa with valuable cargo.
During the year 1863 and the carly part Of
l55a we continued on the blockade III Key
West, sometimes cruising in the Gulf aud al
other times anchored of the town The rule
was Tor as 10 lie at anchor six weeks, and then
cruise iCf blTeEade-rannerss six weeks OF more.
We captured the blockade runners Alabama
Lizzie Davis, and RDebuek, the steamer Power.
fnl, The sogp Oscar, schooner Maria Alberta
elO0p Magnolia, s!Oyp Gen. Finncgau, aud some
Others, the names Of which / have forgotten
We had two tenders. the Fox and the Ariel
sad received share IN any prizes captured by
them.
la October, 1903, the rnonotony Of our dutie,
Was relieved by trip across The Gulf Of Mex.
lco and UB the Mississippi River % New
Orleans Here took on board the prize crew
Of the James Battle, consisting Of sailors and
marines WHO had been detailed from the San
Jacint9 10 take that ship a CONDEMNED prize
70 New Orleans 10 be sold.
he Winter Of 1863, 81, passed without any
event worthy Of special notice. We used Il
receive our mail and occasionally a little fresl
beef aud ICE by the steamer Union.
YELLoW-JlcK HOLDS HIGH cARSIVAL.
In june, 1854 the yellow fever broke on
among the vessels; death held high carnival, and
mlTih was changed 10 mourning The bospita
on shore was filled with sick and dying sol
dieTs. sailors and marines. The vessels ia Ia,
harbor displayed the yellow flag. the signal O
sickness Ola board. Some of them were orllereC
north aud others sent 70 cruise in the Gulf
The san JaciHtO was ordered 10 cruise of IA,
coast Of fucaian. On our way there We passed
Havana saw Moro Castle, sailed along the coas
Cf Cuba and from there westward % Yucatan
where Ne dropped anchor opposite the town o.
EisaL We were How on the Campcche Bank
We were not far from the historic Tabascf
River, where COrtcZ first landed in Mexico and
gave battle 70 the natives. In this battle tbe
spaniards were victorious, and great number.
Of the Indians were slaughtered. Yucatan
vas much cooler than Key West, although