Nicholson, and the barque turned out to be the gunboat Young Rover, whose motions that morning I had observed with suspicion, and the pursuit of which happily resulted in the providential discovery of the wreck and her human freight thus exposed to the mercy of the storm. Imagine, sir, the joy that filled our hearts on finding that we were just in time to serve and save our countrymen and brethren from the jaws of destruction. The helpless condition of the wreck, the imminent peril that environed all, and the fury of the elements left little time for deliberation. My first impulse was to take the wreck in tow and carry her to my late anchorage off Georgetown. This, however, was impossible; to have undertaken it would have been to destroy the last hope of rescue. The perilous condition of my own ship and apprehensions for her safety, in the event of a collision, demanded judgment and decision. Being at the time, on soundings, in thirteen fathoms water, I resolved to come to anchor. The wrecked vessel was floating astern and under the lee. I despatched Acting Master Hathaway, an excellent officer, with orders for the Governor to come to anchor also, when I should drop the Sabine down until the wreck was brought within convenient distance, and then from my ship's stern (with the aid of a whip purchase and the spanker-boom for a derrick) hoist the men on board. It was unsafe to communicate in boats, as experience soon proved. It was equally hazar lous to attempt to render aid by throwing men on board. It was my duty to save those who were in extreme peril without, if possible, exposing to unnecessary risk my own good men. Here an emergency, unexpected, forced me to changed my purpose. The Governor having anchored as directed, I veered out chain until the frigate came within a short distance of her. Stout hawsers were passed on board and made fast, and, as I confidently hoped, the ship so effectually secured as to permit us to begin the good work. With zealous officers, a faithful crew, excellent boats, and the various other resources of a powerful frigate, we proceeded in our labor, but, as you will soon see, I sacrificed two boats that fell an easy prey to the devouring elements. At first I hesitated whether to hoist up the boats that had communicated with the wreck, or to leave them down to be used as occasion might demand. Before my order could be executed two of them were literally stove to atoms by collision with the wreck and my ship. All things ready, about 10 p. m. the work began. The progress of transfer was tedious enough; but, as the anxious night wore away, we felt thankful to Providence as we beheld the care-worn men safely though slowly reaching our deck. But in the midst of these operations, at 1 a. m., the gale renewed its fury; the sea, which had been gradually subsiding, arose again in all its power; the ship labored at her anchors and the wreck rolled destructively. As she lurched first to port and then to starboard, burying her sharp bow deep into the trough of the sea, each plunge seemed to be her last. To add to her danger, at this moment one of the heavy hawsers gave way, and in a moment more another parted. I now almost despaired; fortunately, however, the anchor of the wreck held on. Owing to the darkness of the night this was not immediately discov ered; but it is to this lucky circumstance that the ultimate success of our measures was due. At this crisis it became necessary to secure the fasts again. Volunteers being called for, Acting Master Beattie, a thorough seaman and a man of nerve, followed by his hardy tars, gained the deck of the Governor, (passing over the stern of the frigate,) and the hawsers were soon again made fast. The largest hawser soon gave way a second time, cut in two by the sharp stem of the steamer. The heavy stream chain-cable of the ship was then passed on board and well secured, the purchase was once more manned, and the rescue successfully continued for a brief period, when the gale recommenced blowing with redoubled violence. The heavy chain-cable, now yielding to the force of the did squall, gave way and the wreck fell astern; when, amid the raging of the elements, a hail from Mr. Beattie, that "the wreck was sinking," was heard, carrying consternation to every bosom. The number of the rescued at this stage not exceed thirty men. One chance yet remained of saving a portion, at least, of the great number yet on board. Providentially, a single hawser stubbornly held on, preventing the wreck from drifting off. I ordered it manned, and the wreck hauled up on the starboard quarter, calling aloud to the people to leap for their lives, and gain, if possible, the deck of my ship. Thirty more men were saved, but the two vessels came into collision. The steamer thumped heavily against the quarter of the ship, tearing off some twenty feet of her deckrail, and was in imminent danger of breaking in the middle and going to pieces. The responsibility of bringing her alongside was great; still greater now to order her to be dropped astern again with a painful consciousness that she might be passing forever beyond the pale of our protection. But her own good anchor and chain stood their ground, and, in fact, proved her salvation. While alongside, two marines, in their attempt to reach the ship, fell between the vessels, and one was crushed to death. As she fell astern, six others in the panic leaped overboard, in the hope of gaining the ship, and were drowned. Here succeeded a scene that beggars description. The despair felt on feeling this attempt at rescue had proved so unsuccessful; the bubbling cry of drowning men, the confusion on board the wreck, the unnatural glare of sea and sky, caused by the rockets and the red and blue lights, (signals for assistance to the Isaac N. Smith and Young Rover,) presented a scene that might well have struck terror to the stoutest heart. While pondering what was next to be done the storm insensibly abated; the sea became more calm, and the shattered wreck rode with comparative ease under the protection of the stern of my noble ship. During the silence that followed the scene just described, (at about 3.30 a. m.,) Major Reynolds hailed me to say that, "with the assistance of the steam pumps and baling, there was a bare hope that the wreck could be kept afloat until daylight; that all hands were utterly exhausted;" and suggested that further work should be suspended until dawn. This intelligence revived hope and filled all hearts with gratitude to God. Daylight brought a clear sky and every indication of fair weather. Although wind and sea continued high the gale had passed. The wreck had increased her distance from the frigate, the hawsers being slacked up, and was riding with a strain upon her own moorings, making it unsafe to use the stern purchase. The port quarter-boat was the only one at control on board, (the stern and starboard quarter-boats having been lost,) and I directed it to be manned with a select crew and rounded abreast of the wreck, but at such a distance as to avoid collision. A small breast line was passed on board, connecting the two together, and the order given for the men to jump boldly overboard, one at a time, and, with this assistance, gain the boat by swimming Acting Boatswain Hatfield, Quartermaster Bryant, Coxswain Farre, and William Q. Lane, seaman, comprised the sturdy crew, and managed the boat with coolness and dexterity. It required much resolution on the part of the marine who was ordered to take the first fearful leap from the shattered deck and swim for his life. The example set, others rapidly followed, and, in five minutes, fifteen persons more were safely transferred from the boat to the ship. This experiment proved so successful that I abandoned the use of the purchase, and by 8 a. m. the whole battalion (save the seven who were lost) were safely on board; Major Reynolds and staff being the last to abandon the wreck. Captain Litchfield formally abandoned to me the wrecked vessel.-(See annexed document marked E.) My next duty was to save the public property and personal effects of the battalion. Our success in this respect far exceeded my expectations, and by 11.30 a. m. the doomed transport was finally abandoned to her fate. Prepara tions were now made to set fire to her, but I concluded to reserve her for target practice after getting under way. When left to herself, however, the elements soon disposed of her. The pumps stopped once, the leak rapidly gained. She was fast sinking, and at 3.30 p. m. she fell on her side, (carrying the walking-beam and platform with her,) went to pieces and sunk, covering the surface of the sea with the shattered fragments of her upper-works. It is proper to remark that, before I anchored my ship preparatory to the rescue, an officer, as I am informed, came on board reporting the inability of the Young Rover to render any assistance, owing to injuries sustained in the gale. He left immediately, without reporting himself to me. I was at the time occupied in directing the movements of my ship. The Young Rover, toward night, anchored about three miles under the lee, and early next morning parted company without further communication. Soon after, Lieutenant Commanding Nicholson came on board and reported the Isaac M. Smith disabled, with loss of the heavy battery, which it was found necessary to heave overboard. I directed him to anchor conveniently for the night, and next morning ordered him to proceed with all despatch to Port Royal and convey to Flag-Officer DuPont intelligence of the safety of the battalion. The Sabine sustained serious injuries. The trying circumstances under which the rescue was effected produced much confusion about the decks, and the task of heaving in the long scope of cables, and of restoring the ship to order, was at once begun. There were now about nine hundred souls on board, while the supply of wood and water was extremely limited. The instructions of Flag-Officer Goldsborough touching the blockade were positive; and I had to decide, under the circumstances, upon the course it was best to pursue. From rumor alone I learned that the expedition under Flag-Officer DuPont was about to strike a blow at some point on the southern coast. Upon consultation with Major Reynolds in regard to the destination of his battalion, that officer decided, in the emergency, to break the seal of his confidential orders, which, when known, left me no alternative but to assume the responsibility of quitting the station and proceeding forthwith to Port Royal, for the object of adding a powerful body of troops to Flag-Officer DuPont's command. The battalion had lost portions of their equipments, and I did not hesitate to propose compliance with any requisition Major Reynolds might submit, and to transfer from the marine guard of the Sabine seven men, volunteers, to supply the loss of those of the battalion who had perished. We were soon under way. The allowance of water was reduced to half a gallon a man per diem, a privation to which all submitted with cheerfulness. Another gale from the southwest soon sprang up, greatly retarding our progress. At 9.30 a. m. on the 8th, however, we were within thirty-five miles of Port Royal, becalmed, and plainly heard the reports of the guns of the bombardment. I immediately ordered my ship to be cleared for action, hoping that a favorable breeze might enable me to join in the attack as a willing volunteer. The firing, however, ceased at 1 p. m., giving certain presage of victory, and the department can better conceive than I describe the deep regret and disappointment felt by all to find we were unable to share in the dangers and honors of that memorable day. Gaining the outer roads of Port Royal the same evening, I despatched Lieutenant Balch to report my arrival to Flag-Officer DuPont, (copy hereto annexed, A.) On his return next day I first learned that the Sabine had been transferred to the squadron of that officer, and assigned by him a prominent position in the attack. The orders, however, had not been forwarded to me. I have now to express my deep sense of obligation to the officers and men of my command for their zeal, energy, and conduct during the trying moments devoted to the rescue of so many human lives. Where all so nobly did their duty it would be difficult and invidious for me to attempt to discriminate. But it is a duty I owe, as well as a pleasure, to present the whole command to the favor able consideration of the department. To Lieutenant Balch I am much indebted for sound advice and suggestions (in consultations) in the difficult situation in which we were placed. To his gallantry I have already paid tribute. I commend him to the best notice of the government which he so meritoriously serves. Lieutenants Blake and McCann and Master J. Crittenden Watson were indefatigable in their exertions, and managed the cables, hawsers, &c., with the utmost skill and efficiency. Acting Master Beattie's conduct (he having volunteered to board the steamer at a moment of critical peril, to secure the cables and fasts) merits high praise. I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. A. UNITED STATES FRIGATE SABINE, Of Port Royal, South Carolina, November 8, 1861. SIR: On the morning of the 2d instant, while cruising off Georgetown, South Carolina, within the limits prescribed by Flag-Officer Goldsborough, I fell in with the transport steamer Governor in a sinking condition, (in tow of the United States steamer Isaac M. Smith, and in company with the United States barque Young River,) with a battalion of marines under command of Major Reynolds, of the marine corps. I am gratified to inform you that after great difficulty I succeeded in rescuing the whole battalion, with the exception of one corporal and six privates, who, through their own imprudence, threw themselves overboard, hoping to gain this ship, and were drowned. I also took from the sinking steamer nearly all the arms, ammunition, accoutrements, and clothing. Such of the latter as was lost I have felt it my duty to supply from the stock of marine clothing on board, and from that of the paymaster. I have also complied with the requisition of Major Reynolds for eight privates from the marine guard of this ship-seven of them to fill vacancies caused as above stated, and one to supply the place of one whose arm was badly fractured in the attempt to get on board while the steamer was under our starboard quarter. Knowing the great importance of the battalion to you, and in compliance with my own convictions of duty and the urgent desire of Major Reynolds, I did not hesitate temporarily to leave my station and proceed with all despatch to join you, in order to restore so valuable a portion of your command separated from the squadron by stress of weather, and saved under the most perilous circumstances. My ship had previously sustained serious injuries, and while engaged in the hazardous duty incident to the rescue received others. Among them, the spindle of the capstan was found to be sprung, and as the ship has at the utmost only ten days' water on board, it is absolutely incumbent on me to resume the blockade and carry out promptly the duties under my letter of instructions from Flag-Officer Goldsborough. I trust, therefore, you will take immediate steps to provide for the transfer of the battalion to your squadron. The boats of my ship will be placed at the disposal of Major Reynolds. I am, sir, very respectfully, &c., Flag-Officer S. F. DUPONT, CADWALLADER RINGGOLD, Commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron, Port Royal, S. C A 2. WABASH, Friday, November 8, 1861. MY DEAR CAPTAIN: I have your report of saving the marines, and until I can acknowledge your handsome services officially please receive my informal thanks. I send you the letters addressed to you the other day. I am anxious you should resume the blockade of Georgetown, as many vessels are fitting out in England to get into South Carolina and Georgia. Yours truly, Captain RINGGOLD, Sabine. S. F. DUPONT. B. FLAG-SHIP WABASH, Port Royal harbor, South Carolina, November 24, 1861. SIR: I am in receipt of your two favors of 21st November, by schooner Shark. I regret to find that my communication to you, enclosing Flag-Officer Goldsborough's order placing the Sabine in my squadron, together with a private letter from me, all in one envelope, have not been received by you. They were originally put on board the R. B. Forbes, which steamer I had sent to give you a tow. I felt sure Lieutenant Balch had obtained them, for I gave special directions about them. I herewith enclose a copy of Flag-Officer Goldsborough's letter until the original be received. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. DUPONT, Flag-Officer commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron. Captain CADWALLADER RINGGOLD, U. S. N., United States frigate Sabine, off Georgetown, S. C. C. [Confidential.] FLAG-SHIP WABASH, Of Charleston, November 3, 1861. SIR: On receipt of this you will please join me with all despatch, off Port Royal, South Carolina. The Curlew, Lieutenant Commanding Watmough, will relieve you in the blockade of Georgetown. We have had heavy gales and the fleet has not yet collected, or I would send a steamer to tow you; but I hope this northwest wind will bring you in time. Respectfully yours, S. F. DUPONT, Flag-Officer commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron. Captain CADWALLADER RINGGOLD, U. S. N., Commanding United States frigate Sabine, off Georgetown, S. C. |