The National tribune., 1911-02-23
DOINGs IN THE NAVY.
Some Interesting Happenings as ReMt-
ed by Our Cumrades of tire NaxSJn

On the Ship Sacramento. I'd
w. G. Pert Quartermaster ION U. SIS.
Sacramento. Sedgwick, Me-, writes: i 81
can article. entitled Starving the
| Confederacy,' which tells of ftlis-blocls-
| ly published in The National Tribune.
| This port received the runners from
Nassau. l had seen their signal lights
along the shore to guide the blockade
runners. Our ship was the Sacramento.
new bark-rigged steamer OF about
1900 tons, built at Kittery, Me-, Navy
Yard. Our First Lieutenant was Ben
ham, now Admiral Benham. We were
stationed at West Bar. The writer of
that article speaks of the running
ashore of the blockade runner Kate on
/ the eastern end of Smiths Island. I
remember that well. The rebels came
down on our side OF the island with
| battery Of Whitworth guns, and we
| opened fire on them end had quite
spat with them. bit the beggars got by
us, and went aboard the Kate and put
| the fire out. The aeet on the Fort
Fisher side had driven the Kate ashore
and set her on fire.
| 1T is of the chase of the blockade
! runner Giraffe Capt. Wilkinson) that
| particularly want 20 write. Wilkin-
son says that sloop-cfwar chased him
all day, and tells of the ruse by which
he got away. The Sacramento went
into Beaufort some time in April, 1863,
to coal up, which would take us some
four or five days. l remember the
morning we came out-a beautiful
morning with n light breeze from the
north. About 10 o'clock a. m. we made
out black smoke off to the southeast.
and at once went after it. In an hours
run lookout aloft made her out to be
large steamer. The Captain ordered
all sail set, and soon we saw that she
had discovered us and was standing di-
rectly away. Evidently she did not
want our company.
A Chase at Sea.
by 2 p. IN. we had just gained on
her, so that we could see her plainly.
In the meantime the wind had in
creased and heavy clouds were coming
from the north. BY o'clock the wind
was blowing heavily, with frequent rain
squalls, and we had to shorten sail.
Still we We're steadily gaining on her,
and just before il shut down thick dark
We were near enough to have reached
her with the rihed gun on our forecas-
tie, but it was so rough that we could
rot east the gun loose. We were now
getting off into the current of the gulf
stream, which. with a north or north
east wind, kicks up an ugly sea, and we
We're compelled to see that prize slip
away into the darkness.
We heard afterwards that it was the
Giraffe. Had it been clear weather
we could have taken her sure. 1t was
the weather that saved her. not any
cunning ruse. After standing along
awhile we took in sail and brought the
ship up to the wind, steaming ahead
just enough to keep steerage way on
her; but, taking all sails off her, there
was nothing to steady her, and she
rocked fearfully. and one OF Uncle
Sans kettle-bottom ships lof] the old
style could rock, give them n chance.
Soon after 10 o'clock, as she took, n
deep roll to starboard, eaibroke Tito
the first cutter that was hanging at her
crancs at the starboard foraYigging, aed
took it away with a man that Was
standing in ii on lookout. Instantly the
cry of Man overheard was heard. The
engine was reversed to stop Roadway.
The officer of the deck ordered: Pipe
away the lifeboat.' 30 81
4 Man Overheard.
THE shrin whistle of the Beatswain
and his Mates. and the hoa rise order:
Away there. You lifeboats, away The
officer and eight men, composing the
Iifeboat's crew, took their places in the
boat and prepared to lower away. The
boat used was the Captains gig, which
hung at the starboard quarter, waiting
favorable opportunity when the boat
should swing outward, and when it did
tHey QulCfiN HbNtTttt dNdt. IL 5tSHleu
like going into the jaws of death. AL
most as soon as she struck the water
she was smashed against the ship and
crushed as tho she had been an egg
shell.
I'm a moment her brave crew were
struggling for life in the foaming sea,
with most OF the chances against them. |
Some caught hold of the crane tackles
and ropes were quickly cast to them
from the deck. 1t had to be quick
work to save any of them. j was att
my station by the wheel. and, following
the impulse of the moment, ran aft, |
and, jumping into the hammock net
ting, caught up a coil of rope. Looking |
down, / saw black head in the white
foam. and threw the rope and quickly
hauled the man on board. The sea had
swept him away from the others Prob |
ably in another moment he would have |
been crushed under the stern of the
ship or swept away altogether AS 1t |
was too late now to save the man who
was swept of in the boat, the Captain
ordered all hands to muster and the !
roll was called.
'All answered but the lookout. Hei
belonged somewhere near Portland. !
Me, but l have forgotten his name. 1t |
was almost a miracle that The lifeboats |
crew were saved The ships head was
swung around to the northwest. A little |
sail was put on her, and she went along I,
comfortably, but our exciting expert !
ence was kept up. Murphy. the Cap
tain of the after guard. was at work |
aloft on the mizzenmast, swinging in a |
sail, when he lost his hold and fell to
the deck, 25 or 80 feet. We picked
MIN up and carried him below to the |
Surgeon. thinking he was done for; but, |
thanks to his tough Irish meat and his |
determined Irish soul. he was about |
again in a week as good as ever. The
next day after Murphy's fall We were
back again on our station"
West Gulf Squadron.
John J, Moule, Acting Ensign, U. S. |
N, San Jose, Cal, writes:
"Comrade George II. TrOvir says there !
were captured from the West Gulf
Squadron six vessels. as follows: At Gal |
weston, Jan. l, 1863, Harriet Lane; off
Galveston, Morning Light, Velocity, |
Sachem and Sabine. The Westfield /
Commander Bernhaw) was captured
with the Harriet Lane. Commander
Renshaw and several of the crew were