The last stranded steamer on my list, the _Pevensey_, was probably
named for the Earl of Wilmington, who was also Viscount Pevensey.
Her chief officer, who gave his name to his captors as Joseph Brown,
was undoubtedly Joseph Brown Long, who ran the blockade many times in
the _Cornubia_ as chief officer with Captain Burroughs, and as the
right-hand man of Maj. Norman S. Walker, the Confederate agent at
Bermuda. He was greatly esteemed by all Southerners. I recall his many
kindnesses to me with gratefulness.
I quote in full the official reports of the stranding and destruction
of the _Pevensey_.
_Destruction of the Blockade Runner "Pevensey," June 9, 1864._
(Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Harris,
U.S. Navy.)
"U.S.S. 'New Berne,'
"_Hampton Roads, Va., June 16_.
"Sir: I have the honor to report the stranding, on the 9th instant, of
the blockade runner _Pevensey_ (named _Penversey_ in the extracts April
16, 1864), under the following circumstances:
"3.30 a.m., steering N.E. by N., Beaufort 45 miles distant, made a
steamer bearing N.E. by E., 4 miles distant, running slow and heading
E.N.E.; she, being to the eastward, did not immediately discover this
vessel. Hauled up E.N.E., when, gaining on her within 2-1/2 miles,
she made all speed, steering E. Opened fire and stood E by N. The
second shot carried away the forward davit of her quarter boat. She
immediately changed her course, steered N., and struck the beach 9
miles west of Beaufort at 8.05 a.m. Her crew took to the boats at once,
this vessel at the time being 1-1/2 miles distant. Ran into 3-1/2
fathoms, and when within 100 yards of the strand she blew up.
"Sent in three boats, boarded her, and found her engines and boilers
completely blown out. Plugged up the pipes; anchored in 3 fathoms, and
made arrangements to pull her off; 9 a.m., tug _Violet_ came down from
Beaufort and anchored on the quarter; 9.30 a.m., Commander B.M. Dove
arrived in the _Cherokee_, came on board and said he would take charge
of the wreck, and the _New Berne_ would proceed to Beaufort, it being
then high water, to save the tide in. Recalled boats and arrived at
Beaufort at 11 a.m., anchoring outside too late for the tide.
"One prisoner was found on board the vessel, unharmed from the
explosion, who proved himself to be an escaped prisoner from Johnson's
Island, of Morgan's guerillas. One body was found upon the beach, and
thirty-five prisoners were captured on shore by the cavalry, three of
whom are supposed to be Confederate officers, one of them adjutant
general to Magruder. She was loaded on Confederate account, cargo
consisting of arms, blankets, shoes, cloth, clothing, lead, bacon, and
numerous packages marked to individuals. She had been chased on the 7th
instant by the _Quaker City_, and had thrown overboard, by log book,
30 tons lead and 20 tons bacon; was 543 tons, of English register;
no manifest of cargo found. Gunner S.D. Hines has discovered seven
Whitworth tompions tied together, bright, and in good condition, which
suggests the possibility of that number of guns being under the musket
boxes.
"The prisoners captured ashore were held in Fort Macon, and the one
secured on board was transferred there by order of Commander Dove. I
understood that after the army authorities had satisfied themselves
with regard to the identity of the prisoners they were to be
transferred to this [place] per _Keystone State_.
"I have learned since leaving Beaufort that the reputed mate is the
real captain; that he is a Captain Long, the outdoor agent of Major
Walker (the Confederate agent at Bermuda), a citizen of New York, and
having formerly commanded a ship from there. The reputed captain (an
Englishman) was merely the paper or clearing captain. Of these facts I
have informed Captain Gansevoort.
"It will not now be possible to get the vessel off, but a large amount
of the cargo can be saved, if properly guarded.
"Had the after 30-pound Parrott, for which the requisition was approved
by you April 22, been furnished, his chances of reaching the shore
would have been reduced. He evidently was ignorant of his position, as
the first question asked was, 'How far is it to Fort Caswell?'
"Very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"T.A. Harris,
"_Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding_.
"Acting Rear Admiral S.P. Lee,
"_Commanding North Atlantic Blockading
Squadron_."
(Report of Acting Rear Admiral Lee, U.S. Navy.)
"Flagship North Atlantic
Blockading Squadron,
"_Washington, D.C., July 14, 1864_.
"Sir: Inclosed I forward to the Department a list of those of the
crew of the blockade runner _Pevensey_, which ran on shore and was
destroyed by her crew near Beaufort, N.C., on the 9th ultimo, who are
now detained at Camp Hamilton, Fort Monroe, and at Point Lookout. The
late master of the _Pevensey_ was detained by Captain Gansevoort as
a witness, he supposing that a portion of the cargo of the blockade
runner was saved and would be sent North as a prize.
"The others are detained as habitual violators of the blockade under
the instructions of the Department, dated May 9, 1864, to Rear Admiral
Farragut, forwarded to me for my information May 16, 1864.
"The examination of these men took place in presence of Commander
Peirce Crosby and Lieut. Commander Chester Hatfield. The chief officer
of the _Pevensey_, Joseph Brown, is detained at Camp Hamilton as an
habitual violator of the blockade; all the others are detained at Point
Lookout. I have requested the commandant of the post at Fort Monroe
to discharge the master of the _Pevensey_, as there is no longer any
reason for detaining him, the vessel and cargo having proved a total
loss.
"I have the honor to be, Sir,
"Very respectfully,
"S.P. Lee,
"_Acting Rear Admiral_,
"_Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron_.
"Hon. Gideon Welles,
"_Secretary of the Navy_."