Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/235

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Besides, this advice of her being at sr.i would be sent to New Yi>rk, and preparations would be made by United States naval au- thorities to give her a warm reception. The leak was discovered to be in consequence of defective construction in the rudder casing, and this, together with other injuries caused by the rough handling the ship had encountered during the tempestuous voyage from Copenhagen, satisfied Page that the repairs would detain her several weeks at Ferrol. He took also into consideration the latest news from America, which appeared to indicate that the South could not resist much longer. Finally he determined to go to Paris for con- sultation, and he directed Carter meanwhile to push on with the repairs.

While Page was absent, the Niagara and the Sacramento ran across the bay from Corunna and anchored at Ferrol. In a letter reporting the incident, Carter said: "We, of course, got ready for accidents, and, in lighting fire, sparks flew from the funnel."

In a few minutes a barge from the navy yard, with an officer of rank, came alongside, asking if we meant to attack the Niagara. I replied that we had no such intentions, but proposed to defend our- selves from an attempt to repeat the affair at Bahia. He said : " This is not Brazil. The Admiral requests that you will let your fires go out, and warns you against an attempt to break the peace." Two guard boats were also stationed near us, and remained there every night while the Niagara was in port. However, we kept steam all night and the chain was unshackled, so as to get the ram pointed fair in case the Niagara moved our way.

It was decided, after consultation with the Confederate commis- sioners, that in spite of the gloomy prospects across the Atlantic, no possible effort that could be made from Europe should be abandoned.

Page, therefore, returned to Ferrol with the purpose to pursue his enterprise, which, I may say, in brief phrase, was to go to Bermuda to get some additional advance stores and a few picked men from the Florida, waiting there for him, another attempt to strike a blow at Port Royal, which was then supposed to be the base of General Sherman's advance through South Carolina. Vexatious delays de- tained the Stonewall at Ferrol until March 24, when Page got to sea.

The United States ships Niagara and Sacramento had manifested every purpose to follow and attack the Stonewall when she left Fer- rol. The Niagara was a large, powerful frigate, mounting ten 150- pounder Parrot rifled guns, and the Sacramento was a corvette, very heavily armed for her class, the principal pieces being two n-inch