Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 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 I said to him one
morning: 1T looks as though your ship has
been captured or sunk. I'll take a gamblers
chance that she hasn't and will give you $780,
900 for her and $500 for the cargo that Is
waiting for her; you to take the cargo she
brings in. I'll give you three hours to think 1t
over"
1t looked as though l was taking a long
chance, but l had a "hunch" that she was all
right, and 1 never have had a well-de1ned
"hunch" steer me In anything but a 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 an hour I
had a bill of sale for the ship and the ware
house receipts for the cargo of war supplies.
On the third day the Letter B came tearing
in, pursued at long range by the u. s. S. Po-
whatan, which proceeded to stand guard over
the harbor, keeping well off shore on account
Of the reefs and shoals that were under her
lee.
The Letter B discharged a full cargo Of
cotton and was turned over to me. She was
unloaded in twelve hours, and all Of her cargo
was safely slowed in another forty-eight hours.
1 took command of her, with John B. Will
Jams, her old captain, as sailing master, and
determined to put to sea at once.
| knew the Powhatan would not be looking
for. us 80 soon, and planned to catch. her on
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.
1 started in at once to master practical navi-
CATION, the theory of which / knew, and to
familiarize myself with the handling of a ship.
We arrived off Charleston late in the after
noon and steamed up close inshore until we
could make out the smoke of the blockadfng
feet, which was standing well out, In a e
circle. Then we dropped back a bit and an
chored. All of the conditions shaped them
selves to favor us. 1t was a murky night with
a hard blow, which came UP late in the after
noon, and when we 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
twinkling, we headed for the harbor, standing
as close inshore as we dared go. We passed
SO closeto the blockading ship stationed at thu
lower end of the crescent that she could no
have depressed her guns enough. to hit US evel
IL we had been discovered in time. But sh'
did not see us until we had passed her. The
she let 60 at us with her bow guns and, Will
they did no damage, we were at such clos
quarters that their flash gave the other ship
q glimpse of us as W. darted away.
They Immediately opened on us, but afte
: the first minute or two 1t was a case OF hal
? hazard shooting win all of them. The fri
Q shells exploded close around us, and some
the fragments came aboard, but no one wa
: injured. When l saw where they were hrin
I threw my ship further over toward Sullivan
Island. where she could go on account of hi
s light draft, and sailed quietly along into II
harbor at reduced speed. At daylight we wei
q up to the dock and were warmly welcomed.
Before the second night was half over v
d had everything out Of her and a full carr
i Of cotton aboard, and VIZ steamed out at ono
% knew the blockaders would not expect US 7
Is at least four days, and we surprised them Ju
k. as we had surprised the Powhatan at Be
n muda. 1t was a thick night, and we salt
rs right through the feet at half speed, but pl
ID pared to break and run for 1t at the crack
q gun. Not a shot was fired or an extra lig
shown.
" AS soon as we were clear of the line
,e put on full speed, and three days later
ID were safe at Turks Island, the most southel
r.. and easterly Of the Bahama Islands.
an 1 made two more trips to Charleston withc
ID any very exciting experiences, though we VIC
Nv Ared on both times, and then sold the ship
az an enterprising Englishnan at Turks lsial
nd Having succeeded as a blockade-runner
ii. was ambitious to become a filibuster, VIII
a kindred vocation I thought offered even grea
on opportunities for adventure, and immediat
after the sale OF the Letter B. In the lat
he part Of 1854, I returned to New York. IN