The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
GREAT BLOCKADE RUNNING.
Last Performance OF tho steamer Hattie ut
Charleston IN 1895.

CHARLESTON, s. G., Dec. g." Running the
blockade with flibustcring expeditions to Cuba
does not seem as easy as slipping In and out OF
charleston hnrbor with loaded ships In 1855
said an old salt the other day. Things havc
changed since then, and you can't pass Uncle
Sans ships MS we used TO do. The steamer
Hattie. Capt. II. s.. Lobby, was tho last runner
in or out of Charleston. She wns n small vessel,
Clyde built. furnished with powerful engines.
ana she made more trips than any other vessel
engaged in the business. Iasked men In Charles
ton who knew all about her to estimate the
values of the cargoes taken out and brought in
by this one ship, and their figures were enor-
nous. On several occasions she brought NUM-
tions OF war OF which tho Confederacy was in
pressing need, and at least three battles wore
fought with munitions for which the Confed-
crates had waited and which she landed safely
In their hands. Plot after plot was formed at
Nassau TO got hold of the Hattie. but none OF
them was successful. She slipped in and out
like a phantom. taking the most desperate
risks. md being attended by a spirit Of good
luck quite extraordinary.
Tho last entrance of the Hattie into Char
lesion occurred one night in February. 1865.
The Confcderacy was then in ertremis, and the
Federal fleet off Charleston numbered eighteen
or twenty sail. 1t WINS a starlight night, and at
an carly hour the Hattie crept forward among
White Il ts'i her 'f fires sm made pe' little ifeSs SMOKE Ra," and = not otu a
light was permitted to shine on board.
with her engines moving slowly she let the
wind drive her forward. There were eight or
ten vessels outside the bar, and az many within.
Those outside were pissed successfully without
an alarm being raised. The Hattie ran within
800 feet of two different blockaders without
her presence being detected. To the nakod eye
OF the lookouts she must have seemed q haZy
mist moving slowly.
The little steamer was quietly appEoeching
WAS nnpnpl on her from n Qnnh0nt mot 900 feet
distant. and the air at the same time filed with
TINT time the Fcderals had the whole Of Morris
Island. and Fort Sumter had been so battered to
pieces that monitors took mp their station al
most within pistol shot OF it. As soon as the
Hattie was discovered all steam was crowded on
and she was headed straight for the channel.
She rnn a terrible gauntlet OF shot and shell for
the real peril. just below Sumter. in the mar
rowest part OF the channel. the Hattie encoun-
tered two barge loads OF men stationed there on
picket. Her great speed saved her. from being
boarded. but the volley fired after her wounded
two or three men and cut three fingers off the
hand of the pilot holding the spokcs of the wheel:
she at once opcnod fire and kept her guns going
as long as the Hattie could be seen. but not II
missile struck. and she arrived safely at her
wharf. This was marvellous, considering that
the steamer ran so close that sho could hear the
orders given on the monitor.
."Charleston was being bombarded. many Of
the business houses closed. and all could see that
the end was drawing near. Tho Hattie was In
as much danger lying at her wharf rs she would
be outside. and z cargo was made up for her as
her last trip. Just before dark the %sentinels on
Fort Sumter counted twenty-six Federal block
aders off Charleston harbor. and yet the Hattie
short time before, midnight, with a starlight
night and n smooth sea, the little craft picked
hailed or q gun fired. and she was at Nassau
when the news Of Lees surrender was received"