The morning times., 1897-02-11
Charleston HarbOr
In 1861 and in 1897

In 1901 and in 1897
The stirring scene in and around Charles
ton harbor during the mimic hIocke-le of
that historic port by Admiral Bunce and
the North Atlantic Squadron, will be all
the better understood and appreciated
When contrasted with another and more
terrible event that occurred in the same
theaters Of operations thirty-six years
ago. Most of the heroes OF that old fight
have passed to the majority. The gallant
general, then Major Anderson, who conn
manded the defense OF Fort Sumter, has
laid long years in an honored grave. Gen.
Beauregard, who commanded the Confsder-
ate forces ON the same occasion, passed
away more recently. 1t is pity that
both these commanders could not be alive
ana present now at the brilliant gathering
OF the naval forces, that so wildly recalls
the history and startling episodes of the
events OF 1861, and equally marks the
revolution in naval architecture, arma-
ment and tactics, which has been accom-
plished in the intervening years.
Compare the old wooden steamers and
sailing vessels, with their short range,
smooth-bore guns, that went To relieve
Fort Sumter when 1T became appare
that the Southern revolutionists had forti-
fled against it, with the mammoth, ar
mored battleships, carrying rfled guns,
capable of destroying a city miles away
beyond the range of vision, that hover
around the same harbor in 1897. The
change is emphasized by the fact that
hn nd tn, II A. s.ID
gard threw up on Morris and Sulivan's
islands, We're able to prevent the relief OF
the beleagured fort, and to shut out the
fleet, while the same works and ordnance
today would not prove an obstacle worth
passing shot from modern war vessel.
Extraordinary interest attaches to the
naneuyers of our new navy at this time;
for the reason that circum stances have
happened OF late to arouse public appre
henSion regarding the seawOrthiness of
some of the coStliest and most powerful
of the ships. A comparatively severe
test of this was encountered in the gale
which last week the squadron ran into as
it steamed for Charleston. The evolu-
tions off that point are likely To prove
instructive TO naval officers, and the pro-
fessIonal game our ocean terrors are
playing is highly interesting in itself.
The big fellows, the flagship New York,
the Massachusetts, the Indiana, the Maine,
with the double turreted monitor Puritan,
the protected cruiser Columbia, and the
rest, are supposed to have closed the port so
tightly that an eel could not slip through.
Meantime the hot little dynamite sea racer,
the Vesuvius, slips away from her moor
ings at League Island navy yard and tries
to get through the blockade. Now in case
one OF the biockaders should manage to
catch the Vesuvius with search light
and succeed in keeping her under its glare
for an agreed time. 1T will he assumed that
the Yesuvius has been captured and will
have to retire for another trial Or if the
rapid-fire guns OF one of the vessels be
discharged at the runner before she has
reached a given distance then she will be
considered as sunk or captured AS a de
ductIon from recent experiments. made
with the torpedo boats Stiletto and Cush-
ing at Newport, it is thought possible that
a swift craft like the Vesuvius may be
able to run in undetected.
That feature of the blockade practice
completed, Rear Admiral Bunce Will di-
vide his fleet into two Squadrons, one
OF which Will be bloCkaded in the haT-
Dor by the other. The bloCkaded sect on
will try 70 get out and, in the Incidental
operations, the gunbOats and torpedo boats
win use, or appear to use, automobile
torpedoes fired at the hulls OF vessels
This will afford opportunity to test the
several theoretical means OF torpedo at
tack and defense. Those of defense are
principally running away; sinking the at
tacking vessel before it has time to use
the torpedo; fighting the approaching
enemy with guns ana torpedo launches,
and using protecting nets and booms.
In 1861, the military and naval sciences
Were not what they since have become,
but, Notwithstanding that fact, the busi-
ness transacted then in Charleston Harbor
was great deal more serious than the
present block AT that time, Major
Anderson, with handful or men, short of
ammunition and provisions, was shut up
in Fort Sumter, which position Gen. Beaure-
gard had determined to reduce with the
fires of his channel shore batteries
on April IL, 1861, Reauregard sum-
which the Federal commander refused. on
the next day, at little after 3 O'Clock
in the morning, Major Anderson was noti-
fled that the Confederate batteries would
open on him in one hour. AT 4:30 q. m.
the signal gun was fired, and pandemonium
broke loose AT Z, Fort Sumter began its
historic cannOnade, raking the Cummings
Point and Sullivan Island position, and
the batteries at Fort Johnson and east
OF Fort Moultrie. The fight ragged all that
day and all night, and into the after
noon of the 18th, when the buildings
within Fort Sumter took fire from burst
ing shells, and the place became untenable.
Major Anderson surrendered on condi-
ton that he should be allowed to march
out with the honors OF war. Old Glory
was saluted, and the little command EN-
barked on a Confederate transport, 10
be conveyed to the idle, useless relieving
squadron outside.
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