AT ANCHOR.
Going on deck this morning, I found we were riding at anchor
in sight of Hatterås light. . Not knowing the meaning of this, I inquired of Mr.
Mulligan if people went out to sea and anchored nights? He laughed and said the
shoals and the lights being down along shore made navigation in these waters rather
dangerous, and they thought they had better anchor. I went forward to take in the
situation. The wind was blowing fresh from the southeast, with heavy swells
running. As they weighed anchor, the boat rose and fell with the swells. I
rather enjoyed this and thought it very nice. After a few moments I began to
experience a peculiar sensation around the waistbands; and it occurred to me
that I had better go and lie down. After a half hour I was all right again, and
went on deck. Mr. Mulligan said, “We are going to have a great storm and Hatteras
is a bad place to be caught in a storm.” But by way of encouragement he tells
us we are safer with him aboard the New York than we should be at home in bed.
At 1 p.m., we dropped anchor in front of the battery at
Hatteras inlet, in the midst of a terrific southeast storm. Our fleet comprising
nearly 100 sail are making the inlet as fast as possible; but it is feared that
some of them will not be able to get in and will either be lost or have to put
back. This is indeed the grandest, wildest scene I ever beheld As far as the
eye can reach, the water is rolling, foaming and dashing over the shoals,
throwing its white spray far into the air, as though the sea and sky met. This
is no time for man to war against man. The forces of Heaven are loose and in
all their fury, the wind howls, the sea rages, the eternal is here in all his
majesty. As one looks out on the grand yet terrible scene, he can but exclaim,
“Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord, God Almighty!”
A W RECK
A large steamer, attempting to run in this afternoon, run on
the shoals and will probably prove a wreck. As she came in sight and attempted
the passage of the inlet, we watched her with breathless anxiety, until she
seemed to have passed her greatest danger and all were hopefully looking for
her safe arrival, when suddenly she struck the shoal and turned broadside
toward us, the sea breaking over her. A shudder ran through the crowd and
disappointment was on every countenance. Tugs were immediately dispatched to
her assistance, but returned unable to render her any. Capt. Clark thinks if
she does not break up during the night, and the wind lulls, that perhaps in the
morning she can be got off, or at least those on board of her can. It is not
known whether she contains troops or stores. If she should go to pieces during
the night, God help those on board of her, as there is no one here that can.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the
25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 20-1
