Off Stump Inlet, N.C., _February 3, 1864_.
"Sir: I have to report that about 11 o'clock a.m., on the morning
of the 1st instant, in about the parallel of Topsail Inlet, N.C., I
discovered a steamer close inshore, showing heavy columns of smoke. I
headed for her at once, and, upon approaching, found her ashore at the
mouth of Stump Inlet. Her crew were busy throwing overboard her cargo,
a portion of which was scattered along the beach. When within reach of
my guns, her crew and people fled in their boats, when I fired a few
guns to disperse any enemies that might be hovering near. I boarded and
took possession of the steamer, which proved to be the blockade runner
_Wild Dayrell_. All the papers which I could find I herewith transmit.
She was inward bound, two days from Nassau. I found her furnaces filled
with fuel and burning, with the intention of destroying her boilers.
I hauled her fires and found her machinery and the vessel in perfect
order, with a portion of her cargo, consisting of assorted merchandise,
still on board. I immediately got our hawsers and attempted to pull
her off, but failed, owing to the falling of the tide. I made another
attempt at 1 o'clock a.m. on the morning of the 2d, but parted the
hawser. The weather looking bad, I put to sea until daylight, when I
returned and assumed a new position to endeavor to get her off.
"In the meantime, I commenced to lighten the vessel by throwing
overboard about 20 tons of coal. At high water, about 2 p.m. of the 2d,
I commenced tugging at her again, when, after some time, the current
sweeping me close to the shoal to leeward, the _Sassacus_ struck
twice lightly. I cut the hawser and steamed up to a new position and
anchored. During this trial, the U.S.S. _Florida_, Commander Crosby,
came in and anchored, with offers of assistance to us. During this
trial the wind blew fresh from the southward and westward in heavy
flaws, which was the principal cause of my failure to get her off. I
then steamed up to a new position to try her again. On the 3d, while
getting on board our hawsers to the prize, with the assistance of the
boats of the _Florida_, my cable suddenly parted and I was forced to
steam out to keep from fouling the _Florida_, which was anchored near,
and in so doing parted the hauling lines of the hawsers, which were
being hauled in by the _Florida's_ men on board the prize.
"During this last operation the enemy appeared and opened fire with
musketry upon the _Sassacus_ and the boats coming from the prize. Both
vessels promptly opened fire and the enemy were driven off.
"I would here observe that the cable of this vessel parted unduly,
without having been strained by any swell or heavy wind, thus losing
the anchor and about five fathoms of cable. We were anchored in two and
three-quarter fathoms water; the cable was undoubtedly bad.
"Upon consultation with Commander Crosby we decided that it was
impossible to get the steamer off, and that we must destroy her.
Accordingly, I gave the signal to the men on board of her to set fire
to her thoroughly and return aboard, which was done. Both vessels then
opened fire upon the steamer, and she was riddled at about the water
line with raking shots from the _Sassacus_. No attempt was made to
save her cargo, as I deemed it impracticable to do so. Not one-half of
her cargo had been thrown overboard and the rest, which I deemed very
valuable merchandise, was consumed with the vessel. Valuable time would
have been lost in the effort, and to pillage her would have demoralized
my men for healthy action in some future similar service. Having
effected this duty, I put to sea at about eight o'clock of the evening
of the 3d.
"I transmit herewith an appraisement of value of the steamer and cargo,
made by a board ordered upon that service.
"I have the honor to be, Sir,
"Very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"F.A. Roe,
"_Lieutenant Commander_.
"Acting Rear Admiral S.P. Lee,
"_Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron,
Hampton Roads_."