The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-01-11
ABOARD THE VANDALIA.
Service in the South Atlantic Blockadfng
Squadron.

Editor National Tribune: At Hat
teras Inlet I was attached to the u s.
S. Susquehanna, Commodore John S.
Chauncy commanding, as a Masters
Mate. After the battle and capture of
the forts, l was sent North in charge of
the prize schooner San Juan, loaded
with salt, a prize to the Susquehanna
and delivered her to the proper au-
thorities at Philadelphia; after which,
as ordered, | returned to report to my
ship, and was then promoted to Acting
Master. and ordered to the Sloop-of-
War Vandalia, Commander Francis F.
Haggerty, she composing one of the
South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
After the battle and capture of Port
Royal, in which the Vandalia took part,
being towed by the Isaac Smith, the
Vandalia was placed at the entrance of
Port Royal HarbOr as guard ship, with
instructions to allow nothing to pass
inward without first communicating
with the guard ship. This was at that
time an important and sometime excit-
ing position, being anchored in mid
channel with springs out and guns
shotted, ready to invite all corners to
communicate. which some Of the large
and fast steamers from the North once
or twice attempted to ignore, but were
soon convinced that their Uncle
Samuel, although an indulgent old fell
low. would be obeyed. One incident in
which | was in charge of the deck, /
will relate. 1t was in the forenoon
about 10 a. m. The Arago, a large, fast
and commodious steamer from New
york, with the mails, was coming up
the channel at full speed. 1t was blow
ing strong breeze directly out Of the
harbOr, and the tide was running i'm the
same direction The Arago had to pass
US very closely to port. on account Of
r.f t., L
orders from the Admiral (DuPont)
were TO send boat with an officer to
each vessel on boarding. The former
cutter had been called away with an
officer, and lay astern of the Vandalia.
waiting for the Arago to stop her pad
dies so that the boat could approach
her Instead Of doing SO she paid no
attention to the boat. and attempted to
pass in. Noticing this. ordered the
gunner to fire blank cartridge across
her bow from No. ] gun, at the same
time asking If No. 2 gun was shotted.
When answered, Eyes. sir" give the
order Stand by-Ready," at the same
time ordering a shell put in the bow
chaser, 1OO-pound PARROT upon the
forecastle; but at the discharge of the
blank cartridge the wheels of the
steamer were reversed and she
graciously allowed the boarding officer
to communicate, when she was allowed
To proceed with her mails up to the
anchorage and the feet, where Law the
Wabash. Admiral DuPont's flagship.
the bulldog Of them all, i'm ali her
grace and beauty. and I'm those DAYS
or wooden ships she could proudly up-
hold Old Glory In any company. being
one of the finest frigates I'm the u. s,
Navy. But one thing / must not for
get. me deck OF the Arago was crowd
ed with ladies as she ranged up beside
the Vandalia. and at the firing of the
blank cartridge the yell that thew gave
astonished me, and in a measure dis
counted that of the rebels.
After serving as guardship the Van
daha was relieved, and as soon as II
became known that she was to proceed to
New York Navy Yard there were many
anxious faces in the wardroom and
elsewhere, all hoping not to be the one
detached, as that would prevent any
one from seeing our home and friends
AT last the day of sailing arrived, the
welcomed signal Permission to get
under way was answered from the
flagship Yes" and with light hearts
the nlInbIe JackieS soon covered the old
ship In cloud Of canvas The anchor
up and Gated, the Vandalia was head.
| ed seaward, her sails filling to the
| breeze, and one and all longing to pei
beyond the reach of the flagship. who
as yet held US as If i'm the hollow of he,
hand. AS we neared the bar the Quar-.
| termaster reported that the fiagshir
was signaling. Every heart went dowr
at once, expecting that our newIy-found
/ joy would soon be turned to sorrow
The signal code was very gently openef
and consulted. and at once we again as.
sumed a normal condition.; the Admira
was only wishing us ''good-by and :
speedy passage" for which we returned
THANK YOU" Then the old shir
with ali the sails that all of Uncle Sam,
blue jackets OF that ship could max
hold cupful of wind was crowded
upon the old ship and she was headed
for the Gulf Stream, where as q rule
/ 1t Is stormy or thick weather. anf
knowing that stern chase is a Ions
one. If the much dreaded Wabash
should dispatch the fast gunboat Santi
ago-de-Cuba In search of US, like Tn.
proyerbial needle in the haystack. i
would be fruitless search; but M
such grief came to us, and the frs
night out, at p. m. "sweethearts ant
wives" We're drunk by all officers Of the
ward room, and after a pleasant rur
of few days we arrived at the Nav,
Yard, New York, where we were al
granted leave. myself 10 days. At tho
expiration Of which I was to take pas.
! sage in the first supply steamer for the