Office of the Historian

Mr. Porter, Vice-Admiral, to the President.

Navy Department,
Washington, October 7, 1869.

Sir: The inclosed telegrams have been sent in different directions.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

DAVID D. PORTER,
Vice-Admiral.

The President.

[174] *[Inclosure No. 1.]

Vice-Admiral Porter to Rear-Admiral Stringham.

[Telegram.]
Navy Department,
Washington, October 7, 1869.

Rear-Admiral S. H. Stringham,
109 Hicks street, Brooklyn, New York:

The following has been sent to Admiral Godon. Reiterate the orders, and expedite the vessel.

Throw fifty men on board the Frolic without delay. Send your best tugs to tow her out while she is getting up steam. Order the commander to proceed to Smith field, Cape Fear River, or wherever the Cuban steamer Cuba is lying, take his position alongside of her, and sink her if she attempts to leave. Also keep up steam, prepared to follow her. The Frolic must leave to-night. Put on board charts and instruments when you put the men. Don’t fail. If she wants ammunition, put it on board to-night. See if the vessel cant get off before 8 o’clock. If the Frolic has sufficient number of men on board, there is no necessity for increasing the crew.

Men can be taken temporarily from the Severn.

By order of the President.

D. D. PORTER,
Vice-Admiral.
[Page 847]
[Inclosure No. 2.]

Vice-Admired Porter to commanding officer at Key West.

[Telegram.]
Navy Department.
[175] *Washington, October 7, 1869.

Dispatch the fastest vessel you have without delay to Cape Fear River, North Carolina, to prevent the steamer Cuba from going to sea. Sink her if the captain refuses to obey your orders.

D. D. PORTER,
Vice-Admiral.

Commanding Officer
United States Naval Forces, Key West, Florida.

[Inclosure No. 3.—Telegram.]
Navy Department,
Washington, October 7, 1869.

Rear-Admiral S. W. Godon,
Commanding Navy-Yard, New York

Throw fifty men on board the Frolic without delay. Send your best tugs to tow her out while she is getting up steam. Order the commander to proceed to Smithville, Cape Fear River, or wherever the Cuban steamer Cuba is lying, take his position alongside of her, and sink her if she attempts to leave; also keep steam up, prepared to follow her.

The Frolic must leave to night. Put on board charts and instruments, when you put the men; don’t fail. If she wants ammunition, put it on board to-night. See if the vessel can’t get off before 8 o’clock. If the Frolic has sufficient number of men on board, there is no necessity for increasing the crew. Men can be taken temporarily from the Severn.

By order of the President.

D. D. PORTER,
Vice-Admiral,