Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History Travelers' Tales

The Hayes Arctic Expedition

Schooner United States in ice.

The problem which the Franklins and the Kanes, of Arctic science and discovery, have labored so long and with such heroism to solve, has had no new light thrown upon it by the voyage from which Dr. Hayes has just returned. When, in July of last year, he left our shores in the small schooner United States, having on board only sixteen persons and the usual outfit, we felt in no way sanguine that the expedition would be successful in clearing away the mystery which surrounds the North pole, and the result is, therefore, only in accordance with our anticipations. This conveys no ill compliment to its projector, whose enthusiasm, talent and perseverance are undoubted; but we formed our opinion from the weakness of the exploring force. It was an attempt, with very inadequate means, to achieve a great object. Everything about the expedition was on far too small a scale; and, being insufficient, it became a foregone conclusion that it would fail. We are still wanting in scientific data relating to the geography and meteorology of the Arctic region, and even of its navigation and zoology. We are only slightly informed; but this expedition has discovered nothing before unknown on these points, and the death of its astronomer has only added another to the long list of Arctic victims. Had the expedition been larger, and provided with a good scientific party, much might have been attained, where, for want of it, the result has been simply a blank. Dr. Hayes succeeded in making his way by dog sledges no farther north than latitude 81 degrees 35 minutes, which is a lower degree than even Hendrik Hudson reached about the year 1600. We refer to these facts simply to show the folly of fitting out Polar expeditions that, from their very diminutiveness, are unequal to the work for which they are designed.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

October 19, 1861 – Bold Exploit on the Lower Potomac

Burning a Confederate Schooner in Quantico Creek, by a Detachment of the Potomac Flotilla under Lieutenant Harrell.

Washington, Oct. 12.—The Navy Department this morning received the following despatch:

United States Steamer Union,
Off Aquia Creek, Oct. 11. ’61.

Sir —l have the honor to submit the following report for your information:

Being informed of a large schooner lying in Quanitico or Dumfries’ Creek—knowing also, that a large number of troops were collected at that point, with the view of crossing the Potomac river, as was reported to me, I conceived it to be my duty to destroy the schooner. With this object in view, I took two launches and my boat and pulled in for the vessel at hall past 2 o’clock this morning.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

October 14, 1861 – The Great Naval Victory

Confederate ironclad ram CSS Manassas attacks the USS Richmond in the Battle of the Head of the Passes, 12 October 1861. Harper's weekly, 1861 Dec. 7, p. 773.

Last Saturday, the 12th day of October 1861, has now a place in history, and a place, too, inferior to none connected with the history of the people of America, the Fourth of July only excepted. Thursday gave to the South also another hero, one who will rank with the Jones’, the Hulls, the Perrys, and the Decaturs, those glorious defenders of the rights of the old Union. Yes, henceforth the name of Hollins will be mentioned with pride throughout the broad extent of the Southern Confederacy. He has fought against odds, we believe, which have never before been encountered, and obtained a victory which, so for as we recollect, has no parallel in history. Five extemporised gun boats, armed with 17 guns all told, attacked a fleet of four men of war, armed with about 40 guns, sunk one of them, put the balance to flight, ran them ashore, and captured a transport schooner from them.

This expedition, which had such a glorious termination, was fitted out here and over in Algiers by Capt. Hollins, amidst the most profound secrecy, not the slightest hint of what was intended getting noised abroad until the vessels were almost ready for departure, and even then nothing definite could be learned, nor did any one know exactly what was going to be done.

Posted inLocal Histories Maritime & Naval History Shipwrecks & Nautical Disasters

Wrecking

The coal from the wrecked schooners Florida, and Laura A. Watson in being landed at the village and Old Harbor, under the careful supervision of Mr. Stephen J. Smith, Underwriters’ Agent, who is on hand at all times, attending to business with his usual dilligence and promptness. The men are at work at almost all hours of the day, and sometimes late into the night. The tides have served so early during the past week, that they were obliged to start by three or four o’clock in the morning. There has been no accident beyond the staving of a few boats, although the weather has been very boistrous, and the sea rough.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

October 8, 1861 – News From Cairo

(Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.)

Cairo, Oct. 7.

The gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an active engagement to-day with rebel shore batteries at Iron Banks, three miles this side of Columbus. The boats left here at 9 o’clock for down the river, on a reconnaissance. Arrived at Lucas Bend, they got sight of the rebel gunboat Jeff Davis, which on, chase being given, put about with all possible dispatch for Columbus. The Lexington and Conestoga, while in chase, and throwing shot, were suddenly fired upon from masked batteries on each side of the river. The rebel shots, however, generally fell short. A battery of rifled cannon on the Iron Banks threw balls over and around the gunboats, cutting close, but fortunately doing no damage. Parties on board represent the scene for a time as particularly exciting. Shot and shell were flying about in uncomfortable proximity, making the air ring with music. The guns of our boats were admirably managed, every shot going home, and the shell bursting in air over the rebel quarters, causing a big commotion among them. The boats finally drew off and returned to Cairo. It is not known what damage was done to the rebels, but many of them are thought to have been killed.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

September 28, 1861 – Important from the Head of the Passes

The following dispatch, by the Balize Telegraph Line, from Fort Jackson to Major General Twiggs, was received yesterday :

Fort Jackson, Sept. 2-0, 1861. Major General D. E. Twiggs:

Mr. Fulda, the telegraphic operator at the head of the Passes, arrived here this morning from that point. He reports an engagement between the C. S. steamer Ivy and the U. S. steamer Water Witch, without injury to the Ivy.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History Shipwrecks & Nautical Disasters

Women and Children Castaways on Island

Photo of SS Aeon

Passengers and Crew of the British Steamer Aeon Are Shipwrecked In Southern Waters.

Victoria, B. C Cable advices from Fanning Island state that the steamer Aeon, which left San Francisco July 6 for Auckland via Apia and was considered overdue, was carried on Christmas Island by the strong currents setting in shore and became a total wreck. The ship’s company, fifty in all, took to the boats and landed at a small settlement, all safe.

There are four women and two children, mostly wives of officers of the United States battleship squadron who took passage to join their husbands in Australia. All are camping on Christmas Island awaiting rescue.