The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE
DARING HNPLOITs Ar CHdRLLSIoN
IN VAR TIMES.
some Lucky Vessels That Made Their way
Through the Fedreal Fleets Repeats
edIy Without Detection


CHARLESTON. $. c.. Feb. 6.-The
blockade Of this harbor and the naval
manocuvres of Charleston bar next
week have brought out some interesting
"reminiscences OF the genuine blockade OF
the sixties.
There are numbers Of men surviving
who ran the blockade through the United
States fleet. but most OF tho masters
OF the vessels are dead.
Among those still TO be seen I'm Charles
ton are Capts. Sim Adkins, A. o. stone
William j.. Addir, i. y. Bonneau, ana
Edward Morse.
Captain III. 5. Lobby, one OF the most
daring of Charleston's blockade runners.
is now in the Sailors Snug Harbor.
In most instances the vessels were Of
English build. small, fast, with powerful
engines, and of the type known as Clyde
steamers. Their color 'assimilated that
OF the clouds or q light lilac, the object
being TO prevent discovery by Federal
cruisers, and il was often the case that
Il enabled the steamers to avoid and es-
cape pursuit.
The Margaret and Jessie belonged TO
this category. She was an iron steamer
OF about 6J0 tons. and under the name Of
Douglas had piled regularly between the
lslo of Man and Liverpool. Provided
with double engines and a powerful frame
there were few vessels of her class which
in smooth water could show u cleaner
pair OK heels 10 others I'm pursuit.
Ner capacity for storing cotton was
equal 10 about $40 bales, and the usual
time made between Charleston and Mas
sau did not exceed on an average forty
four hours.
She was purchased I'm 1862 by John Fra
ser d. co. for 10000. and during eight
round trips met with uninterrupted good
luck, making money for her owners and
fame for her commander, Capt +. W.
Lockwood. The latter was known 10 be
not only one of the best pilots on the
coast, but also a brave, dashlng, yet Ju-
dicious commander.
Capt. Loclxwoods good luck did not fol-
low him after the war. lie died about
ten years ago many believe from the
effects Of the loss of the clyde steamer
Champion, Of which he was in command.
which was lost on her way from New
Yori, 70 Charleston.
Few of the blockade runners were fitted
with accommodations for passengers,
Nevertheless two three, or half dozen
might generally be found on every in
coming and outgoing steamer.
Not infrequently some Of these were
women. The men were either Confeder-
ate agents, business men in speculation,
or persons seeking TO avoid service IN the
Confederate army.
The fate OF the larger proportion OF
these vessels may be inferred Some
succumbed 20 the perils Of the deep, some
woro run ashore and wrecked 10 avoid
capture. some became prizes 10 the Fed
eral fleet.
some OF the vessels ran into four differ
ent ports. and it may be added that a
number OF them made from six 10 eigh-
teen voyages. IL was rare that craft
was captured on her first voyage. and
70 could be pretty safely figured that she
would make two trips, and this generally
paid for her cost and voyage expenses,
and left handsome sum in addition.
Among many daring and successful ex-
ploits was that OF the steamship Sumter
Capt T. c. Reid. laden with two Blake
~ guns. each Weighing with their car
riages, etc. thirty eight tons.
These. with two hundred rounds Of am
unition. were all she had aboard. The
length OF the guns necessitated their be-
ing loaded in an upright position in tho
hatchways for a voyage across the At
lantic, and the steamer at sea had the
appearance Of having three smoke stacks.
Capt. Reid boldly IAN her in broad
daylight. through tho fleet into Whining
ton. y. g.. despite a shower Of shot and
she'll These two guns were presented
TO the Confederate Government by John
Fraser & co.
Ono ~ tbaea auorroous oftns was mount
ed at White Point Garden. and was never
near enough 10 the enemy to be fired.
IN February, 1855, at the evacuation OF
the city II was burst 20 prevent its fall
ing into the hands OF the Federal army,
and this explosion damaged some of.the
surrounding property. \ fragment OF
this gun. Weighing 800 pounds. is lodged
now in the rafters OF the roof Of the res
idence on East Battery, now occupied by
\. +. Chisholm.
The Margaret and Jessie, Capt. r. w.
Lockwood. was one OF the most success
full runners Of the war. and paid her
owners ten times over.
one night IN May, 1859. having a very
valuable cargo Of arms and munitions
sadly needed by the Confederacy, she
laid a straight course for Charleston.
There were five Federal blockaders off
the bar. and the night was fine. The
steamer ran straight in for the fleet. and
as soon as her character was known
every blockader opened fire. II Vas es-
timated that 10 shots were fired. some
from a distance OF less than 200 feet. and
yet. strange 10 say. the steamer got into
port without having man wounded.
She was struck In five or six places.
but with no serious results.
on November uth OF the same year the
Margaret and Jessie attempted the same
bold dodge at Wilmington. She was here
beset by three blockaders. shot through
both wheels. and hit in dozen other
spots. but managed TO turn about and
get at sea and lead five Federal vessels
a chas. Of twenty hours before she was
compelled to surrender.
The steamer Hattie. CAPTAIN II. S.