Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-02-14

Charleston, S. c., February 13.-Not
withstanding Admiral Bunce's CAREFUL
ly arranged plans for the effectual
blockade of Charleston harbor, the dyn-
amite cruiser Vesuyius successfully ran
the gauntlet Of the North Squadron
last night. The blockaders were not
aware of the fact of the ocean PAGER
until the prearranged signal a sky
rocket, was fired from the bow Of the
Vesuvius. Admiral Bunce was sur
prised and disappointed. lie had
thought the thing impossible and was
loathe to believe the report it is said,
when it was conveyed to him.
How the blOcade was run is priced
as a secret on board the Nesuyius. The
officers are all boasting of the feat and
are as pleased over it as the blockaders
are chagrined. The passage through
the fleet was made as easy, safely and
eXpeditiOusly as the most experienced
blockade runner could Lave made. The
trip of the Vesuyius showed her Off
GERS to be thorough naval tacticians.
That the Vesuvius got the better Of
Admiral Bunces carefully laid and di-
rected plans is no reflection upon their
efficiency. The Nesuyius trip simply
showed there are American command
ers who are sufficiently skilled in the
science of naval tactics to elude any
well organized Gordon Of ships stretch
ed before an American port.
The Vesuvius arrived Off Charleston
Yesterday from League Island navy
yards, near Philadelphia. She remain
ed at a great distance outside until after
nightfal. when she eXtinguished her
lights and began manouvers to slip by
the fleet The rain and fog lent their
kindly offices, and little before nine
o'clock she dropped her anchor. The
Vesuvius is said to have taken The reg
ular ship channel, by the use Of which
she was forced TO pass between the
blockading feet. Strange TO say she
was not discovered by the searchhghts
which played over the channel contln-
uously during the evening. ~
The dispatch beat Dolphin Ss2ls~ V
said to have alsc si!lsii-ttlff,--Ts---' IiTr
slip a few nights ago, is expected from
Jacksonville at any time. The Cush-
ing, Ericsson and torpedo boat NO. D
are also on their way TO reinforce the
blockade runners.
The pilots and old blockade runners
are greatly excited over the manoeu-
vers Of the squadron. They az" all anA-
ious TO be given the Opportunity 10
take runner out
The work of the Vesuylus is com
handing the admiration Of hundreds
of Charlestonians who ran the real
rebel blockade in war times, thirty
years ago. Her trip confirmed thelr
belief that blockade running IS sum
possible. notwithstanding the develop
ments OF modern naval practice, the
aid Of electric search-lights high shlps,
long range guns and numerous rdplo
Gre secondary batteries, all unknown
during the last var. ,..
TO add TO the discontinue OF inc
blockading fleet the saucy niue cruz
actually succeeded in repeating ner
feat last night Under orders from Az
r,i,.al Ruucp the yesuyius early IN th
afternoon Yesterday left The squadron
and steamed nOrthwad unJll she N"'
loe+ tn sight. From that moment
everybody on Che fleet was on lns
alert. every nerve was strained ana
the big search-lights sent long streams
of light as night fell, ln every uiIe'
tion II was an IN vain. for about
miJniobt rocket went mp close 'o
the flagship and Admiral bunce lnua
received notice that the l,ie iiler w. w.
living quietly at anchor olssiue. I.li,, hlI,
after haviug cut through the miuu'o
of the feet Of watcher. ,--,.,..,
The blockaders we're much chasflnf'
but explained that thc rnn was ,s',.. s,,
cessful this time owing TO the NANNY .....
NJ tho search-lights 10 pierce lAe 4o7
which lay thick over the sea.