The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The New York Times Reports the Destruction of the Blockade-Runner Vesta-- Part 1

From the February 2, 1864, New York Times "The Blockade.; Wreck of the Steamer Vesta"

This report was taken from the January 20, 1864 Richmond Examiner. Interesting that northern newspapers would be using their southern counterparts for the news.

This concerns the destruction of the Vesta "one of the finest steamers in the blockade-running line" and is based on the account of a Confederate officer on board.

On board, as passengers were five Confederate Naval officers, a man from Bermuda, a man from England and a woman and her two daughters. This was the Vestas's first trip from England and it was under the command of Captain R. H. Eustace of that country.

The ship left Bermuda Jan. 3rd and was spotted by a blockader and chased for seven days. On Jan. 10th, they arrived off Wilmington, NC and the chase was joined by eleven other Union vessels.

Some tried to block the Vesta's escape and all fired at the ship. Though surrounded, the Vesta nimbly ran the gauntlet despite heavy shelling. The Confederate flag was raised in defiance. Fortunately, only one shell struck the Vesta, but did no major damage.

Not Home Yet. --Old B-Runner

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