Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-04

Fifty years ago today the blockade
of Charleston virtually began. the screw
frigate Niagara, the heaviest vessel of
the United States navy, under command
of Capt. William Mexican. being off
that port
Leaving New York on the 5th., the Nj
agara had arrived off Charleston the
evening OF the 9Th and had started on
blockade duty the next day.
Not until the 18th, however, did she
attract attention in the city, and on
that day her real activities began.
The Carolinians had laughed at Lin
coins proclamation of a blockade.
In all probability. they said. the block
ade would result in the interference of
England.
They added that If the Niagara really
bothered them. they would put out and
capture her, for all her 1850 tons, II
guns and S72 men.
Yet the fact, thought not recognized
at the time in the south, was that the
presence of the Niagara was evidence
of the greatest single force that was
to strange the Confederacy-by cutting
off her commerce.
| HOW THE BLOCKADE WORKED.
In the city OF Charleston this appear
ance of the Niagara, sighted early in the
morning of the 18th from a pilot boat
rise to no little comment.
Bafore many hours had passed the
citizens of Charleston found, with indig-
nation. that the Niagara was seriously
interfering with the passage of shipping
in and out of the port.
"At 1850 showed the ensign and fired
gum reads the ships log. land
brought to a large ship showing Eng
lish colors; lowered second cutter, board
ed. and warntd off the English ship
Eat / pm. discovered steamer stand
ing out of Charleston harbor; stood for
her and discovered a second steamer
having the Confederate flag and appar-
emily filled with men; beat to quarters
and prepared for action, loading both
batteries with 15-second shell.
ION nearing the entrance to south
channel one steamer stood into port,
the other keeping close inshore beyond
our range, steered apparently for sa-
vannah.
discovered Is large armed launches
filled with men on the bar abreast the
lighthouse. At continued in chase. AT
the chase, being unable to pass clear
Of US, continued in shoal water and put
back to Charleston
BLOCKADE NOT YET EFFECTIVE.
Charleston was the first southern port
blockaded under direct orders from the
government, Secretary Welles having on
May 2 given Instructions to Captain Nc
Kean. then at New York preparing to go
to Annapolis, that the port should be inn
mediately closed.
Two days later the secretary issued
new instructions. and 80 years ago today
the United States steamship Huntsville,
Commander c. Price, was putting out of
New York to bring them TO Captain Nc
Kean.
The Niagara was now ordered to the
Gulf of Mexico, to head Off the heavy
shipments of arms which, recording to
the state department, were being sent
from Belgium and from England for
New Orleans and Mobile.
II was to take months TO establish an
effective Gordon of ships of the southern
ports.
The coast line which it was proposed
TO invest reached from Alexandria on
the Potomac to the borders of Mexico on
the Rio Grande The continental line
was s54s miles, the shore line 6,7Ss miles,
or including islands 1883 miles.
Along this stretch OF coast were 1s5
narbor and river openings which might
be used for the purposes of commerce;
openings in the majority of cases too
shallow for man-of-war, but admirably