Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 30.djvu/211

 The First Ironclad. 203

he had chased, but with due consideration gives him credit for being " the coolest man that ever walked a quarterdeck."

The Susanna was built on the Clyde, and was a long, low steamer built for speed and concealment. Time after time she had run into Galveston harbor through the fleet collected outside, but always be- fore at night. Her arrival was regular and always on time. When expected she always turned up tied at the wharf in the morning.

Her last run was momentous. Leaving Havana with a cargo of gunpowder and provisions, calculations had been made, as formerly, to arrive off the harbor under cover of darkness, but a break in the machinery caused delay. Steaming along, Captain Austin found himself one morning but a few miles off Galveston and in sight of the blockading fleet.

As yet he was unseen, owing to the low construction of his ship, and he decided to run out to sea; but inquiry below elicited the in- formation that the supply of coal would not be sufficient for twelve hours more. The only alternative was to make for a place of con- cealment under the shore, and thither the prow was turned.

But the overhanging smoke had attracted the attention of the fleet, and a ship of war was fast bearing down upon the daring block- ade runner. Without a moment's hesitancy Captain Austin deter- mined to run the gauntlet. The course was again changed and the Susanna headed directly for the bar. A dozen shipps barred her way.

RUSHED TO DESTRUCTION.

With great clouds of smoke pouring from the funnels and all ar- temps at concealment thrown to the winds, the swift Susanna rushed on, seemingly to sure destruction. Soon she came within range and every vessel opened up on her from a long distance. The Seminole was in the lead and sent solid shot across the bow of the long, dark ship that fairly skimmed the water. Foam splashed up over the deck, but the warning had no effect.

Cutting in, the warship decreased the distance between it and the Susanna until objects could be plainly seen from one deck to the other. Shot after shot went screaming through the air toward the blockade runner, but still she kept her course. The regular channel was blocked, but she went straight ahead. Raked fore and aft, the Susanna, quivering like a frightened animal, rushed on. All Gal- veston was on the wharves watching the engagement, hoping and praying for the safety of their vessel.

Suddenly the course of the Susanna was changed. Doubling