Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-02

4 SIC, winch performed the faIno Atct. W.
OF 425 runs from Nassau alone dneluoins
! scho0ners) only g. .boGt ore N seVeN,
wsre unsuccessful As frelshts were enoI-
nous. ranging from 1870 10 5000 per ton,
some idea may be formed OF the profit OF
( O business In which a yarty could ancra
/ 10 lose a vessel after two successful tfips.
In ter months Of 1883. from January TO
/ October, ~ vessels ran into Wilmington.
! During August one ran in every o1her
| day. on the 18th OF July four, and nVe
on the 18th OF October.
with the termination Of blockade-run-
I ming the commercial Importance of Ma
/ talnoras Nassau, Bermuda, ana QUIET
/ West India ports departed. on March
! II. lSss, there were lying in Nassau thir-
ty-fve British blocka1e-runners. whlch
/ were valued at Sl5.O00.0o9 in greenbacks'
and there were none 70 do them rever-
/ ence. Their occupation was gone; their
/ Profits at an end. and some other service
must be sought TO give them employ
nent.
a description OF Nassau az the time OF
I which 1 write viii be both interesting
/ and instructive. II was 8 busy place
during the war, tbs chief depot Of sup
plies for the Confederacy. and the port 70
whlcj most OF the cotton was shipped.
Its proximity TO the ports OF Charleston
and wilmington gave II superior ad-
vantage. whilst II was easily accessible
70 tho swift ljght-drsft blockade-run-
ners. all Of which carried Bahama pank
pilots. who knew every channel. The
tinted States cruisers having no bank
pilots and drawing more water, were
compelled to keep the open sea. Occa-
sionally one Of the latter would heeve 10
outside the hsrbor and send in boat TO
communicate with the American Consul.
but their usual cruising-sround was OH
Abaco light Nassau Is situate upon
the Island Of New Providence, one OF the
Bahamas. and Il is the chief town ana
capital Ct the group. All OF the Islands
are surrounded by coral-reefs and shoals
through which are channels. more or less
intricate. The distance from Charleston
70 Nassau is about 100 miles. and from
wilmington about SO Practically, they
were equi-distant: for blockede-runners
bound for either port. in order 10 evaoe
TIE cruisers lying in wait IF Abaco. were
compelled to give that headland woe
berth by keeping well to the eastward
The whaFyes OF Nassau we're piled hisl
with cotton during the war. and huge
warehouses were slowed full o. supplies
for The Confederacy At times the mar
bor was crowded with lead-colored. short
nasted. rakish-looxlng steamers; the
streets. alive with the hustle and activity
~ the dav. swarmed with drunken
jewellers at night. Almost dery ma
fg1nality on earth was represented tnere'
the higher wages ashore and afoat tempt
ing adverturers OF the baser sort ana
ths prospect OF enormous profits oner-
Ing equally strong inducements TO capl-
taIlsts Of a speculative turn. Monthiy
wages Of a sailor on board a blockade
runner was 500 in god. and $50 bounty
- cUfH al
under favorable circumstances, would De
accomplished IN seven days.
A GOOD RECORD.
The captains and pilots sometimes re-
ceived as much as 5000. besides per1ui-
sites. On board tbs government cleaners
the crew, which was shipped abroad, ard
under the articlSB regulating tAe "msr-
chant marine received the same wages
a. were paid on board the other blockade
runners but the captains and subordinate
officers % the government steamers VINO
belonged 20 the Confederate States navy,
and the plots who were detailed from the
army for this service, received THAR pay
IN gold. There ~ singular fact con-
nected with the biockade-running vessels
which speaks well for the Confederate
States naval officers. Though many COM
manded a large number OF these vessels,
yet down to August 16. 1861. and per
haps later, only one blockade-running yes
sci vas lost.
The Cape Fear pilots have long NAM
tained a standard OF excellence In their
profession most creditabie to them as a
class and az individuals. The story OF
their wonderful skill and bravery In the
time OF the Federal blockade has never
been written, for the survivors are
modest men, and time has oblitsrated
from their memories many Incidents q
TITS extraordinary epoch. Amidst I'M
3enetrable darkness. without hghtsnip or
beacon. the narrow and closely atchei
inIst YES felt for with a desp-Sea leea
as a blind man feels his way along
familiar path, and even when the enemys
fire was raking the wheel-house. the Islth-
ful pilot. with steady hand and iron
nerve. safely steered the little fugitive OF
ne sea TO her desired haven. II might
be said Of him, as OF the Nantucket skip
per. that ne could get his bearings on the
darkest night by a taste OF the lead.
Let Us recall the names or some o.
tho noted biockade-runners and their
pilots. so well known In Smlthvile about
thirty years ago.
A HERO INDEED.