Sunday, April 24, 2011

Arrival of the Steamer S. K. Spaulding

FORT MONROE, Feb. 25.

The steamer S. K. Spaulding arrived here this p. m., having left Roanoke Island the day before.  No news by her.

We learn of the attempt to lay the telegraph cable across the bay, on the day that the Hoboken sailed.  16 miles of the cable were laid in the most successful manner when operation stopped for the night.

On yesterday the Hoboken was occupied in taking soundings when a severe gale of wind which sprung up on that bay struck her about noon.  Her steam pipe broke soon afterwards and she became unmanageable, drifting upon Cape Henry, where she went ashore and broke in two last night.  She is a total loss.  All hands saved.

The remainder of the cable, about fifteen miles, was destroyed before it was abandoned.  About an equal quantity is laid on the bay and the end is buoyed up.

The gunboat R. B. Forbes was seen by the Spaulding, ashore near Nags Head.

This morning white flags were displayed on all the houses in the vicinity.

Maj. J. T. Sawyer arrived at Norfolk yesterday, having left Elizabeth City on Sunday the 12th inst.  He represents everything quiet in that region.  He says that the entire federal fleet left the waters of the Pasquotauk on Friday morning, but two of them returned in the evening.  He also states that but few of the inhabitants remained in that place.

The Wilmington Journal, of yesterday, says that five or six federal gunboats have entered the Roanoke River.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

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