February 2, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
KEY WEST, FLA., Jan. 26.
The steamship Joseph Whitney, Captain LOVELAND, arrived at Fort Jefferson, Garden Key, Tortugas, the morning of the 18th, and landed Major ARNOLD and his command the same day. There being no heavy ordnance at Fort Jefferson Capt. MEIGS, the Engineer Officer in charge, made a requisition upon Captain E. B. HUNT, U. S. Engineer in charge of Fort Taylor, for a portion of his heavy ordnance, together with the ordnance property appertaining thereto, and sent the steamer Whitney to this place to transport the same.
The Barkantine Horace Beal was here chartered by Capt. MEIGS to receive on board the Columbiads and Howitzers, &c. She was taken in tow by the steamer and carried down under convoy of the U. S. steamship Crusader, Lieut. MAFFITT. The vessels arrived at Tortugas in safety, and the guns were at once mounted. This fortification may now be considered safe in the hands of the Federal Officers.
The U. S. Steamer Crusader, Lt. MAFFITT is at Havana. She will return to this rendezvous the 28th, and remain here to assist Capt. BRANNAN in the defence of Fort Taylor.
The Steamship Mohawk, Lt. CRAVEN, is at present at Fort Jefferson assisting in its defence. No other men of war are known to be in these waters.
Fort Taylor has a large part of her armament mounted, and is considered capable of sustaining a protracted siege. The company of Artillery, in command of Capt. J. M. BRANNAN, have been transferred from the barracks, and now occupy quarters within its walls. They have six months supply of provisions, and water sufficient for twice that period.
In marine matters we have little of interest. No wrecks have occurred on our coast since the Ocean Belle went ashore, and no vessels have arrived in distress. The vessels here repairing are nearly ready for sea. The ship Mary Washington, from Charleston, for this place, to take the cargo of the Ocean Star, was lost about the 15th, on Abaco reef.
The slave bark Mary J. Kimball, a condemned slaver, has been sold for $3605. Her cargo sold for $5500.
The dry and wet portion of the ship Cerro Gorda cargo (excepting the wreckers share) has been forwarded to New York. The portion laid aside for salvage was sold for $12,000.
The bark Sophia is repairing, and will soon be ready for sea.
The barkantine Benjamin Hallett is also nearly repaired, and will take in her cargo next week.