The new South. (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, October 24, 1863, Image 3
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The New Machine Shops and Ship Yard at
Seabrook.
We believe that there are comparatively few
persons in the Depai tmenfc who are aware that on
the banks of Skull creek, near Seabrook's landing,
are machine shops, and ship and boat-yards,
already second in importance to none south of the
Potomac, all the recent growth of a few months.
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Tliey have sprung up as 11 were m a hiugie iu^ut,
under the experienced and vigorous administration
of Mr. John H. Mors, Superintending Engineer of
the Quartermasters Department, under Lt. Col.
J. J. Elw. ll. Though young they exhibit all
the energy and vigor of older establishments
North, and are as full of promise for the future
as the most sanguine could desire.
The necessity has long been felt for a properly
organized and effective machine shop and ship
yard, wherein the repairs to the engines and hulls
of the large fleet of transports in government
service in this quarter, could be expiditiously and
thoroughly accomplished; but a variety of reasons
existed why the plan to meet the demands should
not be carried out until last spring. At that time
Col. Elwell secured the valuable set vices of
"if- TaUV w MArr. a practical engineer of ability |
and experience, who immediately inaugurated
the present movement to place the Transportation
branch of the service beyond the need of going
out of the department for repairs, to maintain its
efficiency aud value. The present location was
selected as a proper one for the new machine
shop and ship yard, as affording the best facilities
for the kind of service just at present demanded.
The Creek affords water d^gp enough for vessels
of any draft, with bold shores, and protected
against the winds from any direction, the harbor
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being of sufficient size ior au pracuctu piu^uaco.
The Machine shop is a building put up for temporary
purposes, ab> >ut forty feet square, on the
edge of the Creek's bank, and is already supplied
with all the more important and requisite machinery
necessary for the present wants of the service.
It has a small steam engine, whieh supplies the
motive power for the entire establishment With *
in we find two slide lathes, a planing, drilling,
screw cutting and punching machines, shears,
and an abundance of tools, which are in constant
activity.
Adjoining the machine shop is the Black?-wnth
if a fnrcres and blasts; and near
snmu a buuj?, ?..?,?? ? ?0- it
is the Boiler-maker's yard, where new boilers
may be constructed, or old ones repaired. Mr.
Mobs has organized in connection with the establishment,
a novel corps, whose sole duty it is to
scale boilers, which they are enabled to do by
making it a specialiU, in about half the time usually
consumed by the ordinary workmen.
Any portion of the motive power of steamers,
can be repaired in this establishment in a much
shorter time than the same work can be performed
in northern shops. The branches of labor
are so well defined, and the mechanics are so well
organized, that all the work goes on together,
and no one gang is compelled to await the movements
of another. Time is thus saved, and the
best results attained.
Tv^nnrations are being made to put in some
large forges in the shop, by which means ordinary
sized shafts may be forged for steamers: and
soon a department will be formed for making
castings of all kinds; and if necessary an engine
may be constructed here, complete in all its parts.
The artisans and mechanics engaged by Mr. Mobs
are all first class, and the work turned out will
equal that from any northern shop.
Near the machine shop is the ship yard, where
ordinary repairs to the hulls of vessels can be j
made. A number of first class ship carpenters,
oiners, caulkers, and spar-makers, as boat builders,
have been brought from the North, to labor
here; and it is under consideration to build a
marine rail-way, in order to haul up on the
ways vessels which need coppering, and repairs <
to their bottoms, which can not be ordinarily
reached by beaching.
We already see the banks of the quiet Creek
lined with vessels of all classes, from the huge
steamship to the little tug boat or schooner, receiving
at this naval hospital for decript and
wheezy marine vehicles, such aid as Dr. Mobs
and his assistants can give; and we can hear the
hum of many voices, the noise of the hammer,
adze; and saw, and all the sounds of busy life,
that make the neighborhood about ship yards so
vocal and peculiar. Hereafter the famous East
river yards must be looked for in the vicinity of
Seabrook, where the commerce of $e South will
congregate to repair.
It will be of very rare occurrence that a vessel
must be sent North for repairs. Everything connected
with ships, except building one, can be
performed at Seabrook.
A vast amount of money will be saved monthly
+Vm nnr^mmAnt hv this new establishment,
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and the maintainance of an e4fetiye marine
placed beyond a doubt
These important results are due principally to
Mr. John H. Moss, under whose suggestion they
were planned, and by whom, under orders of CoL
Elwell, they were carried out to a successful
conclusion. We trust that their efforts to establish
such improvements will be further extended,
and that still more glorious results will bear evidence
of the wisdom of the plan.
Mr. Davro J. Pollock, a practical mechanic,
is General Foreman of the shops and yard. The
sub-foremen are as follows:?Machine shop, Mr.
Thomas Loob; Boiler maker, Andrew Fyte;
Ship carpenters and Boat builders, Mr. Henry W.
11 i.' 1 ?/>/>nn,n1iahni1 men in
\\ HEELER; Oil pntCUt'ttl UUU av^wui^iMuvu amvm
their respective branches.
Another Prize?The Tioga, commanded by
A, T. Cleaby, captured the tug-boat Herald off
Cook's Inlet, as she was about leaving for Nassau.
She had on a quantity of cotton. She was brought
into this port last "Wednesday, and has been
turned over to the Navy as a wood-boat.
We take the following from the New York
Herald of the 18th:
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During the last seven days we nave recurueu
no less than seven victories for the Union, which
give the excellent average of one substantial and
decided triumph for our cause per day. These
seven victories are not confined to any particular
part of the country, nor do they add lustre to the
genius of any one general; but they indicate that
the United States have servants of ability everywhere,
and that for the safety of the country we
may fearlessly rely upon the inteligence and honest
judgment of the people.
First we have the victory at Colliersville, on
the Charleston and Memphis Railroad?a neat,
decisive and important little fight. While the
fight was in progress Major General Sherman,
with a portion of the Thirteenth United States
infantry, came up on a train en route for Corinth.
r>?comi?iv nrwl the reimlarg debarked and
IXllUCim uaKi?-A.. -0 .
took a hand in the fight, and the rebels were repulsed
with heavy loss and pursued towards the
Tallahatchie river.
Our next victory was in Missouri, in the great
border war. For three successive days Shelby's
raiders had been pursued bv the Union men, and
finally, on Tuesday last, thcv were brought to
battle* by General Bbown, near Marshall, in Saline
county, and decisively routed, with a loss of all
their artillery, a part of their train, and a great
many small arms. Earlier in the war this fight
would have received more attention than is accorAaA
/* it nntr
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1 Another of the seven was the victory of the
rear guard of the Army of the Potomac?composed
of the Second corps?over the rebels of
Lee's army at BrLstoe Station. General Wabhex's
force was struck in flank while on the line of
march, but was put into position with singular
promptitude ana gained a handsome victory, with
four hundred and fifty-seven trophies. * Four
hundred and fifty of these were rebel soldiers,
five were rebel field pieces and two were the colors
of rebel regiments.
Our other four victories were inflnately greater
ones than these. They were won in the four
States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Iowa.
They were the victories of the people over an
enemy more dangerous than the Southern soldiers,
and they are not surpassed in grandeur by any
four victories our armies have won.
Camp 9th Maine Vols., )
Morris Island, S. C., Oct 12th, 1863. [
Dr. S. F. Elliot, Surgeon, U. 8. V
Sib We have learned with regret that the
Department is about to lose your valuable services,
and we consider this a fitting time to testify
our respect toward one, who by his abilities ana
untiring exertions, and gentlemanly qualities, has
endeared himself to the officers and men of this
Regiment We shall ever recall with the liveliest
feelings of pleasure your connection with our
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Regiment as surgeon, anu mau tt? tmu uugcvu
of oar Brigade, commanded by the lamented
General Strong.
For your gallantry at the storming of the Batteries
on Morris Island, and your bravery and
brotherly kindness to the wounded, exhibited
under circumstances of the greatest danger, in
the assault on Fort Wagner, on the 18th July,
accept our gratitude.
Be assured that in whatever field of usefulness
you may be placed, our most earnest wishes for
your prosperity will follow you.
We remain, Dear Sir,
Very Respectfully Yours,
Z. H. Robinson, Lt CoL
Chas. A. B books, Captain.
, Billings Brastow, 1st Lieut.
on behalf of the officers of the 9th Me.
Port Royal, S. C., Oct 16th, 1863,
Gentlemen Yours of the 12th inst has come
t/\ hand, and adds one more to the many eviden
ces of your kind regard, for which I am so deeply
indebted to your regiment. To thank you
only, for so many favqrs would seem a cold return
if it were in my power to make any other. At
present it is not?except ever to remember my
obligation #in the future to Continue to deserve
your good opinion.
The service you have rendered your country is
amply attested by the lafge number of your killed
and wounded. This mournful jecord also affords
most ample evidence of fehejortkude and bravery
of the other five regimeR^ which with yours,
composed the Brigade of our valliant and indomitable
General Geo. C. Strong; the leading of
which, on that most vaunted stronghold of the
enemy?Morris Island?(under the skillful direc
tion of the General commanding this Department,)
is rewarded by a Nation* 4 gratitude.
The gallant deeds of General Stboxo's Brigade
on the evening of the 18th of July, are known to
our whole country. That night is a part of its
history. Let us cherish the memory of our lost
companions in arms, to whom the sunset of that
night was the sunset of life!?though on the
morrow a sun illumined their memory which
shall continue with a glorious brightness so long
as valor and patriotism shall be esteemed virtues
nmong men.
I remain, gentlemen, with sentiments of high
regard, your obedient servant,
S. F. ELLIOT.
Lieut. (Joi. L. 11. jkobikbos,
Capt. Chas. A. Brooks,
1st Lieut Billings Brastow,
on behalf of the officers of the 9th Me.
ARRIVAL OF THE* STEAMSHIP ARAGO.
Four Days Later News From the North.
The steamship Arago, Capt Gadsden, arrived at
this port yesterday morning. She brings New
York dates of the 19th. We are indebted to Mr.
Gbautegein, purser, for favors.
By the Arago we have news of a movement in
the rebel army of the Potomac. The opinions as
to its present position, entertained in Washington,
are various and conflicting. That Lnr. has
not gone to the Upper Potomac seems to be the
prevailing idea, while, on the other hand, a fresh
raid intn Pennsylvania and Maryland is reglfrded
as almost certain. General Meade's position,
however, secures the protection of Washington.
Indeed it is intimated that his forces are now
within the lines of defence, or at all events so posno
fho <onr>itrt.l Rpwirp. On Satnrikv
ICU OO IV AVUV4VA VMV J ? ^
night Mosby made one of his daring raids, getting
between the rear of the army and our forces for the
defence of Washington. A cavalry picket of the
latter, consisting of eleven men, was captured on
the Chantilly road, near Fairfax, three of whom
succeeded in making their escape. Mosey, with
two hundred and fifty men, was said to be between
Fairfax Court House and Washington on Sunday
morning.