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Tue Dec 06 1864 LCDR F A ROE, USS Michigan writes SECNAV "Since my communication of November 20 concerning the propeller Georgian, I have endeavored to ascertain some facts in regard to her.
The facts elicited from reliable parties go to show that the Georgian was sold in Toronto to suspicious parties. Her captain, Bates, is a notorious secessionist and rebel sympathizer. When the Georgian put to sea from Buffalo her propeller became loose. She went into Port Stanley, when it again became loose. She then went to Sarnia, and Bates went to Toronto and ordered a new wheel. I have not yet learned if he got it, but I am led to believe he did not. It was to be sent to Collingwood when the Georgian went from Sarnia. She lingered several days at each of these places. On her passage by Detroit Colonel Hill, who was on the lookout with two armed tugs, caught her, overhauled and examined her, and reports to me that he found nothing about her to justify her seizure. At Collingwood she was a second time examined - by the Canadian authorities - and they could not condemn her. Here it was given out that she was going into the Saginaw lumber trade, but this was a blind. She has not carried a pound of freight or earned a dollar in legitimate trade since she fell into her present owners hands. If she were honest she could not be cruising close along the Canada shore of the Lakes at this season, making delays of several days at each port, without doing something. She should be doing something if she were honest, and I think she should show why she has not something in her. My last advices are from Colonel Hill, Detroit, 29th November, stating that the Georgian had gone from Collingwood to Bruce Mines, and was expected back at Collingwood last week. Good detectives from Buffalo and Detroit confirm these facts, and they leave no room to doubt that the Georgian is dishonest. The derangement of her propeller, the watch kept over her, and the notoriety she has along the Canada and American shores have frustrated all her intentions. She is to lay up at Collingwood on her return there for the winter, where she can be closely watched. I keep in communication with parties on whom I can rely at Detroit and Buffalo. The advanced state of the season renders it almost certain that no attempt will be made by her this winter, as she can not be assured in twenty- four hours time from being nipped and frozen into the ice. I have kept Colonel Hill advised of all the information I have, and suggested to him that if the Georgian should come out into Lake Huron she should be seized by his tugs, and not wait for an act of actual hostility. It would be improper to carry the Michigan up into Lake Huron, or indeed out into the Lakes at all at this season. It could not be done without extreme danger of losing her in the ice. We have already been frozen in once this season. Moreover, if the Michigan were even in Georgian Bay, she would become merely a blockader until she herself were blockaded in the ice, from which she could not emerge, and would in all probability be lost. I propose to go to Detroit and proceed in company with Colonel Hill to Collingwood and examine the Georgian myself, so soon as I hear again from him."
CDR J P Sanford, USS Neptune, West India Convoy Fleet, writes SECNAV from cape Haitien, "I have the honor to inform the Department of the arrival of this vessel at this port on the 1st instant.
We convoyed the California mail steamer of the 23d November from New York, from Mariguana Island to Navassa Island.
The Galatea arrived on the 2d instant from Navassa Island. She waited two days at Navassa for steamer from Aspinwall, but being short of coal was compelled to return without seeing her. It is not unlikely that the steamer passed up out of signal distance."
SECNAV writes CMDR T A Dornin, NAVSTA Baltimore, "Direct the U. S. S. Morse to proceed to St. Mary's, Md., and report to Commander F. A. Parker for duty in the Potomac Flotilla."
RADM David D Porter, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes Acting-Assistant Paymaster A B Poor, USS Malvern "You will proceed to Washington, D. C., taking with you the safe, papers, etc., of the prize steamer Florida, and deliver them all to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, taking receipts for the same. Return here, after performing this duty, without delay."
RADM Jonathan Dahlgren, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes CDR Creighton, USS Mingo "I wish you to pass up the Tulifinny River and cover the landing place of the troops.
It is supposed that you can go as far as the landing of the picket station."
CAPT Thornton A Jenkins, 1st Division West Gulf Blockading Squadron, writes CMDR James S Palmer, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, "The force of this division having been greatly reduced within the last two or three weeks, I have to call your attention to the fact.
There are, according to the most reliable information that has reached me, not less than four light-draft blockade runners at Mobile, two of which, it is reported, are laden with cotton ready to attempt an escape.
The Metacomet, the fastest of all the vessels which have been stationed off. Dog River Bar, has been withdrawn and sent on a cruise. The Pinola, Kennebec, and Owasco, [which] have been kept here a good part of the time since the capture of this place, have been sent either on a cruise or to New Orleans. The Port Royal is no longer in a fit condition for efficient service in this bay, and ought to be sent either to Pensacola or to New Orleans for repairs.
It is estimated that it will require at least three months to make a thorough repair of the Port Royal's boilers. The Selma is leaking at the rate of 5 inches an hour, requiring her to be pumped once every hour day and night. This vessel is not pumped out by her engines. It is indispensable that the Selma be sent to New Orleans or higher up the river, to be hauled upon ways, calked, and coppered. The work can not at present be done at Pensacola. I have information that the Kennebec, which recently arrived at Pensacola for repairs, is in sufficiently good condition for service, until her time for being taken in hand by the machinists comes round. If allowed to remain in Pensacola awaiting repairs, it may and probably will be several months before work can be commenced upon her. I therefore recommend that the Kineo be sent here for service off Dog River Bar until such time as previously ordered work upon vessels now in Pensacola shall have been completed.
With the numerous outlets for light-draft vessels from the lower bay to the sea, it would scarcely be possible to prevent any vessel which might escape the observation of the upper fleet from getting safely to sea by the present inadequate force now at my command. The threatened raid in the sound by boats from Fowl River and Heron Bay made it my duty to send another vessel there, and to keep at least one vessel at night in Grant's Pass, near Fort Powell.
Since the admiral left I have been here frequently without a single tug, three or four at Pensacola, two at Lakeport, two at the upper fleet, and one in the sound.
These tugs are indispensable for communicating with New Orleans, Dog River Bar, Mississippi Sound, Pensacola, and with Pilot Town, where it is too rough to send ships boats. Besides, we must send out pilots to vessels coming here with coal and provisions for this division."
LCDR James A Greer, USN, writes RADM Samuel P Lee, Mississippi Squadron, "I have the honor to, inform you that Paymaster Jackson to-day purchased the stern-wheel steamer Colossus for $32,900, which is, I think, a very good transaction. The contractor will commence on her alterations to-morrow."
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