e I took the right with Mr.
Edward Moore as boatswain of the ship to pilot me. Pulling down the
river some 600 or 700 yards the boats were then allowed to drift with
the rapid ebbtide, while the end of the cork line was passed over to Mr.
Dornin, and the line tightened by the boats pulling in opposite
directions. The buoys were then thrown overboard, the guard lines on the
triggers cut, the levers fitted and pinned, the trip line made fast to
the bight at the end of the lever, the safety screws removed, the
magazine carefully lowered in the water, where they were well supported
by the buoys, the slack line (three fathoms of which was kept in hand
for safety) thrown overboard, and all set adrift within 800 yards of the
ship, and 400 yards of the battery on the bluff above the point. So near
were we that voices were heard on the shore and Mr. Moore reported a
boat about 100 yards off, which, however, I did not see, being too much
engaged in preparing the magazine for its service. Pulling back a short
distance and hearing no explosion we returned to the ship which we found
cleared for action and ready to cover us in event of being attacked, and
the boats had just been hoisted up when signal lights were observed
flashing in the vicinity of the point with considerable rapidity,
indicating a suspicion on the part of the enemy that an attack of some
kind was intended. Leaving our anchorage, we steamed rapidly up the
river and took up our former position off this place about 12:30 at
night. On going to the crosstrees this morning two ships were seen at
anchor off the point, and later in the day when seen from Warwick River,
where Commander Tucker and I went to get a better view of them, they
were apparently unharmed, and I concluded that the magazine could not
have fouled them, though planted fairly and in good drifting distances
and with an interval between of some 200 feet, perhaps somewhat less as
the line became entangled slightly while playing out.

I have thus minutely described to you, sir, the whole operation,
believing, as its originator, it would be interesting to you, and,
perhaps, serve as a guide in the further prosecution of this mode of
warfare.

I beg leave to return my sincere thanks to Commander Tucker, Lieutenant
Powell and other officers and men of the "Patrick Henry," for their
hearty co-operation, and I particularly desire to call your attention to
the coolness and bravery of acting Master Dornin and Mids