February 1, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
KEY WEST, January 22.
Fort Taylor, a large first class fortification at the entrance of the harbor of Key West, is now nearly finished, the barracks and a few platforms for barbette guns being alone uncompleted. Capt. E. B. HUNT, Engineer Corps, in command, on account of the seizure of Southern works by State authorities, has given the military command of the fort to Capt. JOHN M. BRANNAN, First Artillery, United States army, and he, with his officers and men, are now quartered within the walls. The fort is an irregular quadrangle, with three channel curtains of equal length, and a gorge or shore curtain of much greater length. It is situated near the S. W. point of the island, in from six to twelve feet of water, and distant from the shore three hundred yards. The foundation is granite and the superstructure brick. The scarp walls are eight feet thick, and rise to the height of forty one feet from the wateredge. It has two tiers of casemates and one barbette tier, and mounts one hundred and twenty 8 and 10 inch Columbiads on the channel fronts, and forty five heavy guns on the shore fronts. Most of the armament is in place, enough to sustain a protracted siege. The troops are well supplied with ordnance stores, provisions, water, fuel, &c., and are probably better fitted to resist attacks than Major ANDERSON at Fort Sumter.
The steamship Joseph Whitney, LOVELAND, sails today for Baltimore via Fort Jefferson, and we send the marine items collected since our regular despatch of the 12th per steamship Atlantic.
The ship Ocean Belle, BROWN, was brought into this port on the 12th by the steamer Salvor. As she received little apparent injury, the survey which was called to examine her pronounced the ship in a fit state to take on board her cargo and complete her voyage without undergoing repairs. The Admiralty Court has heard the testimony of the wreckers, but has not yet rendered a decision. It is thought that the compensation will be $20,000.
The ship Clifton is being repaired. She has been hove out and is now receiving a sheathing of copper. She will take in her cargo next week and at once proceed to Boston.
The bark Sophia is having her starboard side renewed. The rigging, sails, &c., will be replaced with new. Her detention will not be long.
The schooner L. Waterbury has been on the railway, but is now nearly ready for sea.
The steamer Louisiana, KIRBY, for Philadelphia, arrived the 12th, and sailed for Mobile the 14th.
The slave bark Mary J. Kimball, condemned and sold by the Marshal, brought the sum of $3605. CHARLES TIFT was the purchaser. The materials of the bark sold for $4000. The slave brig Toccoa, although condemned, has not been sold.
The ship City of Washington has been destroyed by fire on the coast of Abaco. She was chartered to take the cargo of the ship Ocean Star, at this port a wreck, to Liverpool.
The schooner Charles P. Stickney, and schooner J. W. Vance, both sailed with cargos of damaged cotton for New York on the 14th.
The United States steamship Crusader sailed for Havana on the 14th, returned on the 21st, and is now at anchor near Fort Taylor.
The United States steamer Mohawk, Lieutenant Commanding Craven, left this station for Fort Jefferson on the 21st.
The schr. J. W. Webster arrived from New York on the 15th, and is now discharging cargo at Fort Taylor.
The steamer J. Whitney landed Major Arnold’s company of Artillery at Fort Jefferson on the 18th. She is now in this harbor, and will tonight take in tow the bark Horace Beals, loaded with ordnance and ordnance store to Fort Jefferson.
The schr. Republic, Ham, arrived on the 19th from Minatitian.
The schr. Elicott, Wines, arrived on the 20th from Minatitian, both vessels sailed for New York today.
The schr. Western Star, Crowell, sails today for New York.
A Spanish man of war arrived yesterday from Havana with the Spanish Consul, and returned last evening.
Dr. Cornich, U. S. A., has arrived from Old Point. He has joined Capt. Brannan’s company.
The steamer Galveston is coming up the harbor from New Orleans.
The U. S. schr. Aggaziz, C. T. Quatella, arrived the 21st from Charlottes harbor. We learn that the United States Marshal for this district, F. T. Moreno, Esq., has resigned his office; also that John P. Baldwin, Collector of this port, has resigned.