The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-10

and with a kedge astern, were lost before
we got off, and then 1t was too late for the
tide. We turned up the river short dis
lance, and anchored. The next night we
had the same experience, except that we
grounded so badly that it required three
steamers to tow us off.
Finding that with the state of the tide and
our thirteen and a half feet draft the east
ern inlet was impractlcable, determined 10
Try the western one; Steamlng down 70 Fort
Caswell, we waited for darkness Only
few fleeing clouds were in the SKY. AS the
moon went down on the night of Aug. at
10, we approached the bar. fearful of a
repetition of our previous mishaps; and as
the leadsman called out the water in a low
tone. our hearts rose in our threats as IT
shoaled: by the mark three-and quarter
less three-and half two-and quarter
two" She touched, but did not bring up.
Then came the joyful words: And a half
two"
We had just grazed the lump" bad
shoal in midchannel, and were over the
bar. Chief Engineer lyman was by my side
on on the bridge l turned to him and said;
she is WORTH With a bound he was in the
engine room, and in few moments 1 knew
from the tremor of the vessel that the order
was obeyed, and with a full head of steam
we leaped on. "A sharp lookout ahead" was
the order passed forward. We were hardly
clear OF the bar when back came the words:
"A steamer on the starboard bow" "A
steamer ahead" The two made us out at the
same time, and signaled. hailed the fore
castle and asking how .. the steamer under nd =,
was the reply. The helm was accordingly
ported, and we passed between them, so
close under the stern of the one that was
ahead that biscuit could have been tossed
on board AS we dashed by we heard the
sharp, quick words of command of the Off
Ger e. in charge of the after pivot: Run out,
Starboard tackle Handsomely Elevate"
STEADY" stand clear' Then the flash
from the muzzle, like a CLEAN of lightning.
lllumined the water for moment, and a
heavy shell flew singing over our heads,
leaving a trail like comet. 1t was an ex-
cellent line shot. That order, Elevate had
saved us. The steamer on the starboard side
opened. and our opponents, now our
quarter, Joined in; but their practice was
wild, and in a few moments they were out
of sight. I did not return their fire, for it
would only have shown our position, and /
did not wish our true character TO be known
preferring that they should suppose us an
ordinary blockade runner.
During the night we ran to the southwark
until clear of Frying-Pan shoals, and then
feared than the inshore squadron were the
vessels cruising off shore from forty to fifty
miles. in position to sight at daylight the
vessels that might come out during the
night, and these were the fastest and most
efficient blockaderS. / was not surprised
when, at daylight the next morning, a
up. AS we were outlined against the eastern
sky. she had seen us first, and from the
dense smoke issuing from her funnel knew
she was in sharp chase AT another steam
er was made out ahead. I changed our
course eight points, bringing one on each
beam, and the chase became interesting.
One we made out to be a large sideWheeer,
and she held her own, if she did not gain.
Mr.. lyman made frequent visits to the en-
CINE room. trying to coax out a few more
revolutions; and he succeeded for we
by noon had lowered their huls two or three
strokes. 1t was at times like this that the
ship and engines proved themselves reliable;
for. had a screw loosened or journal
heated we should have been lost.