The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-05-16

blockade-runner. and offered to buy her and
take the chance that she might never come
in. He wanted me to wait until the arrival OF
her owner, Joseph Berry who was expected
daily from England.
After waiting several days said TO him one
morning: 1T looks as though your ship has
been captured sunk. I'll take a gamblers
chance that she hasn't and will give you $50.
900 for her and $4,000 for the cargo that is
waiting for her: you to take the cargo she
brings in. I'll give you three hours TO think It
over"
1t looked as though was taking long
chance, but had bunch" that she was all
right, and | never have had n well-deRned
"hunch" steer me In anything but safe
course wherefore | invariably heed them At
the expiration of the time limit there was not
a sign OF smoke in any direction and the agent
accepted my proposition. In half nm hour
had bill OF sale for the ship and the ware
house receipts for the cargo OF war supplies.
On the third day the Letter Il came tearing
in. pursued at long range by the U. S. S. Pc.
whatan, which proceeded to stand guard over
the harbor, keeping well OF shore on account
of the reefs and shoals that were under her
lee.
The Letter II discharged full cargo OF
cotton and was turned over to me. She was
unlonded In twelve hours and all OF her cargo
was safely slowed In another fortyeight hours.
I took command Of her with John y. VIII.
Jams, her old captain, as sailing master. and
determined to put to sea at once.
knew the Powhatan would not be looking
for us so soon, and planned to catch her of
her guard
The Powhatan saw us sooner than I had
expected. and started but she was not quick
enough, She fired three or four shots at us.
but they fell far short
At sunrise we had the ocean to ourselves.
started in at once to master practical nayi.
cation. the theory OF which | knew and to
familiarize myself with the handling Of n ship.
We arrived of Charleston late in the after.
noon and steamed up close inshore until we
could make out the smoke of the blockading
feet. which standing well out. in a semi.
circle. Then we dropped back bit and an
chored. All of the conditions shaped them
selves TO favor us. II was a murky night with
hard blow, which came up late in the after
noon, and when VIC got under way at midnight
a good bit Of a sea was running.
With the engines held down to only about
half speed. but ready to do their best in n
twinkling, We headed for the harbor, standing
rs close inshore AZ we dared GO We passed
so close~to the blockading ship stationed at the
lower end of the crescent that she could not
have depressed her guns enough to hit us even
II we had been discovered in time. But she
did not see us until We had passed her. Then
she let go ut us with her bow guns and while
they did no damage, we were at such close
quarters that their fash gave the other ships
glimpse of us as we darted away
They Immediately opened on US, but after
the first minute or two II was case OF hap
hazard shooting Win all of them The first
shells exploded close around us. and some OF
the fragments came aboard but no one was
injured When | saw where they were firing
threw my ship further over toward Sullivan's
Island, where she could go on account OF her
light draft and sailed quietly along into tho
harbor at reduced speed At daylight we went
up TO the dock and were warmly welcomed.
Before the second night was half over we
had everything out OF her and full cargo
OF cotton aboard. and we steamed out Mt once
knew the blockaders would not expect us FOL
at least four days. and We surprised them jus
as We had surprised the Powhatan at Der
muda II was thick night, and We sailed
right through the feet at half speed. but pre-
pared to break and run for It at the crack o
a gun. Not a shot was fired or an extra ligh
shown.
AS soon as we were clear OF the line w
put on full speed. and three days later w
we're safe at Turks Island the most southerl
and eastery OF the Bahama Islands.
made two more trips to Charleston withou
any very exciting experiences, though we wer
fired on both times. and then sold the ship
an enterprising Engiishman at Turks lslant
Having succeeded as bockade'runner.
was ambitious to become a flibuster. whic
kindred vocation thought offered even create
opportunities for adventure. and immediatel
after the sale OF the Letter b. in the latte
part Of 1854. returned to New York. In tn