Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: Adverting to Mr. Stuart’s note to this department of the 1st instant relative to the capture of the British steamer Sunbeam by the United States blockading vessels State of Georgia and Mystic, off Wilmington, North Carolina, and my reply, I have the honor to enclose herewith the copy of a communication of yesterday from the Secretary of the Navy, on the subject.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.

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Sir: I had the honor to receive your letter of the 3d instant, enclosing one, with accompanying papers, addressed to you by Mr. Stuart, her Britannic Majesty’s charge d’affaires, in reference to the capture of the steamer Sunbeam, and called upon Commander Armstrong for an explanation in the case. Copies of his report, dated the 15th instant, and accompanying statements, are herewith transmitted.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

[Forwarded by A. A. Harwood, Commandant.]

Sir: Your communication of November 13th has been received. In reply, I have the honor to state that “the complaints contained in the protest, that the Sunbeam was unnecessarily fired into at point-blank range by the State of Georgia with shells, whilst stationary, and that, although a great portion [Page 466] of her stores had been lost in the hurrieane, no fresh supplies were placed on board for the master and remaining members of the crew, who were brought to New York under the charge of the prize crew,” are not founded in fact.

The Sunbeam was captured by this ship, the Mystic being in company, on the morning of the 28th of September last, while endeavoring to run the blockade.

The enclosed extract from the log-book of this ship shows that the Sunbeam did not stop when a leeward gun was fired, but kept on until a shell was fired over her, and that even after she had rounded to, she backed in towards the fort until a shell fired astern of her caused her to stop. Those were the only three guns fired.

I enclose copies of an order given on the 28th of September to examine the Sunbeam, and the report of the officers ordered on this duty. This report and the certificate of Acting Master Folsom show there was no want of stores for whole number of persons sent in her to New York.

I am informed that no examination has been had of the prize officers sent in charge of the Sunbeam; I have no doubt their evidence will fully disprove the statement contained in the protest referred to.

Sir, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. F. ARMSTRONG, Commander, commanding.

Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

[Forwarded by Andrew A. Harwood, Commandant.]

Sir: In answer to your question as to the sufficiencies of supplies and stores on board the Sunbeam, I have the honor to state that on her arrival in New York there was sufficient to have enabled her to keep the sea for at least one week longer. Supplies were furnished the Sunbeam for twenty-two men for ten days, and I was four days and a half in making the passage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FOLSOM, Acting Master.

Commander James F. Armstrong, Commanding U. S. Steamer State of Georgia, Washington, D. C.

[Forwarded by Andrew A. Harwood, Commandant.]

Gentlemen: Proceed on board the steamer Sunbeam and make an examination of her hull, engine, and general condition. You will furnish me with a report in writing of the circumstances attending her running the blockade.

Very respectfully,

JAMES F. ARMSTRONG, Commander, commanding.

Lieutenant Commander H. N. T. Arnold, Commanding United States Steamer Mystic.

Acting Master Charles Folsom, United States Steamer State of Georgia.

Acting Third Assistant Engineer Jacob D. Rodgers, United States Steamer State of Georgia.

[Page 467]

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Sir: In obedience to your order of this date, we have visited the English steamer Sunbeam and made a careful examination of her. So far as we can ascertain, there is nothing in her condition which rendered it necessary to approach this port. She is well found in every particular, so far as masts, sails, rigging, water, and provisions are concerned, and being a sailing vessel with a screw auxiliary, we can see no reason for her being in this locality. She was captured under the guns of Fort Fisher while endeavoring to run the blockade.

Very respectfully, your obedient servants,

H. N. T. ARNOLD, Lieutenant Commander.

CHARLES FOLSOM, Acting Master.

JACOB D. RODGERS, Acting 3d Assistant Engineer.

Commander James F. Armstrong, Commanding United States Steamer State of Georgia.

[Forwarded by Andrew A. Harwood, Commandant.]

(Extract from log, September 28, 1862, 4 to 8.)

At 5.45 seen a sail to the southwest; hove up anchor, and at 5.55 started ahead and ran in towards the channel; made signal to Mystic 503; discovered the strange sail was a steamer; made signal to Mystic 1106; called all hands. At 6.10 beat to quarters and fired a gun to leeward. Steamer flying English colors; a long, low steamer; bark-rigged, with boats. Made signal No. 5 to the Mystic. Steamer not stopping, fired a shell from our pivot gun over her, which caused her to round to, the fort firing at us. At 6.28 strange steamer backing rapidly towards the fort inshore; fired a shell astern of her, when she stopped. At 6.30 armed first and second cutters, and boarded the chase, Fort Fisher still firing upon us; several shells passing over the ships. Stood out, followed by the Mystic and strange steamer. At 7.50 anchored, fort bearing west by north-half-north; Baldhead light-house southwest by west-three-fourths west; south point of Smith’s island southwest-half-south, in 9 ½ fathoms water, and veered to 30 fathoms chain.

I certify that the above is a true copy of the remarks for the watch from 4 to 8 on the log-book of this ship.

A. D. LITTLEFIELD, Acting Master.