The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-15
Read Better than a Pension /" on page 7.
THE STONE FLEET.
How the Rebel "Rat-Iioirs" on the Southern
Coast Stopped.


How tie Rebel "Rat-IIolrs" on the Southern
Coast were stopped.
EDITOR NArIoNAL TRIBUNE: Thenumerous
bayous, creeks, aud channels connecting with
the bays and harbors on the Southern Coast Of
the United States rendered the efficient block
ade OF the rebel ports almost impossible. As
an Hld 10 the then existing blockade and 10
close mp some OF the avenues made use Of by
English ships bearing eOntrahaud oC war to the
rebels, as well as by the rebels as sRllypOrts for
their priyatpcrs, The Government determined
20 follow the example set by Great Britain
during her wars against Napoleon and sink
hulks loaded with stone, in a number OF these
channels.
A few were sunk in Ocracake Inlet 10 Pam
lic0 Sound soon after the CRDture Of Forts Hat
teras and Clark but il WAS not until the Goth
OF Nov, 1861, that this plan Of closing up what
were termed the rat-hoes' on the Southern
Coast was fully developed. On that day there
sailed from the port OF New Bedford, Mass, no
less than p vessels, mostly condemned whalers,
heavily ladon with stones, aud Others soon fol-
lowed from New London and Baltimore Each
vessel was fitted with an apparatus In its bot
tom for admitting the water, after having been
stripped Of its copper and other fittings.
These vessels gradually concentrated at Port
Royal, s. C., whence, about the middle Of De-
cembeF, is were sent nOrthward and success
Charleston Iiarbor.
Il had been proposed to sink a portion Of
them in the Savannah River, but this proceed
ing WAS anticipated by the rebels themselves,
who, fearing AN attack by the National fleet,
had sunk a number Of vessels in the channel.
OPERATIONS OFT CHARLESTON, r. C.
The distractions were placed on both sides Of
the crest Of the bar, so That the same forces
which have created the ban may be relied on to
keep thcm IN their place. Tho bar was not en-
tiHely obstructed. for natural forces would soon
open new passages. Work was resumed on
Dec 20, 1861, the gunbuats Ottawa and P0ca-
hontas bringing the ships to their stations.
The placing them was an operation OF consider
able nicely, especially as some Of the vessels
were so deep in the water that they were with
difficulty dragged over the bar, except at high
water.
graver hindrancc TO their exact location
was found IN the impcT!eCtiOu Tor sinking sew
eral Of the ships remaining afloat SO long after
the plug was knocked out that they swung out
OF position. They were, nevertheless, finally
placed very nearly according to the original
plan. Our expectations were TO some extent
disappointed IN the character Of the expedition
while 10 was in progress. None OF the vessels
wholly disappeared from sight aud those which
heeied over farihest aud were most under
water had subsidized in very deliberate man
ner. An impossible line Of wrecks was drawn
for an eighth Of n mile between indicated
points. All but two or three we're Carcened.
Some were on their beam-ouds, some down By
the head, others by the stern, and masts, spars
aud rigging Of the thickly-cOvcrcd ships were
manglea and tangled ia the greatest confusion
They did not remain 50 long, for the masts
were cut down aud as they fell the sound Of
heavy cannon echoed down the Bay aud for
some time the crash Of falling masts was accom-
panied by the same salute. The guns Of Fort
Sumter was the requiem OF the feet
One ship out Of the l6-the Robin Hood
with upright masts, stood solitary sentinel over
the wrecks. As evening came on she was set
on Ire aud gave the crown 20 the novel expert
ment the rare sight Of ship on Ere At sea-
The stone fleet consisted Of 81 ships. u
barEs, one brig, p scho0ncrs, aud cost the
Government about $4,000
The experiment proved intellectual, ne the
pieces, aud many Of the smaller ones were
found beachsd up aud down the coast eight or
10 miles from where sunk.
The sinking Of the feet was intrustcd 10
Capt Charles III. Davis, formerly chief Of by
geographic party Of the Coast Survey. il i re-
markable that when, in 1851 an appropriation
was made by the Federal Government for the
Improvement OF Charleston Harbor. aud AZ the
request Of South Carolina q Commission Of
Army and Navy officers was appointed to
superintend the work, Capt Davis was one Of
the Commission.
England, unable 10 get opportunities Of as
sailing French vessels was induced 10 have re-
course 10 strange, and, az 10 proved, Intellectual
means Of carrying on hostlIties, such as an at
tempt at destroying the Harbor Of BOulogne,
by sinking IA tie roads ships loaded with
stones. III. HAROLD, Lieutenant, LIST n. y.
Engineers, Duuoilou, n. J.