March 18, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
KEY WEST, March 12, 1861.
The ship Pocahantas, DELANO, from New Orleans, bound to Liverpool, with 3100 bales cotton and 1000 barrels lard, ran ashore on the shoal off Molasses Key, 40 miles east of this city on Thursday night last. She pounded heavily after grounding, and soon wore off her false keel. She afterwards keeled over, and her bilge, at last accounts, was in great danger of being chafed through, and it is feared that she will fill with water before the wreckers can get the cargo out. From fifteen to eighteen vessels are engaged in lightering her, and five have already arrived with loads from her. The weather today has been tempestuous, and we expect to hear that she has broke up. The large number of vessels employed in saving the cargo is fortunate for the property, as it will not doubt thus be saved without great loss. We hear that the master has consigned his cargo to A. F. TIFT.
The schr. W. H. Fry, Captain MARSHALL, has completed her repairs, and sails tomorrow for Baltimore. Expenses $4,012.89.
The schr. Maria Pike is nearly loaded, and will sail this week.
The brig Andover will also be ready for sea by the 15th.
The United States mail steamer Magnolia, CROWELL, arrived form New Orleans the 6th, and returns today. It is reported that this is the last trip to be made by this line. Such we trust is not the case. Should they be withdrawn our mail facilities are gone, and the only dependence will be the uncertain one of transient vessels and the Havana fishing smacks.
The Coast Survey schrs. Agassiz and Bailey have arrived at Fort Jefferson. They are to leave soon for the North.
Major TOWERS of the United States Engineers, and Lieutenant GILMAN, of Fort Pickens fame, arrived from Havana the 5th inst. and left in the transport schr. Tortugas for Fort Jefferson on the 9th. Lieutenant GILMAN is enroute for Fort Pickens, Pensacola.
The U. S. Revenue cutter Appleton, Lieutenant RANDOLPH, sailed for Havana on the 4th, with Capt. W. F. SMITH, S. S. Topographical Engineers, as passenger.
The U. S. Schooner Florida, Lieut. PICKERING, U. S. N., commanding, sailed on the 4th for Havana, with Judge DOUGLAS as passenger. Both vessels are now over due at this port.
We have received a copy of the New Orleans Delta of the 6th inst., but no synopsis of President LINCOLN’s Message has yet come to hand. The utmost anxiety exists here to learn the position of the President and his future policy as regards the Florida forts.
The garrison at Fort Taylor remain as last reported, in good health and spirits. They are looking for reinforcements by the Daniel Webster, from Texas. The steamer from New York and Fortress Monroe, with the armaments of Fort Taylor and Jefferson, is now over due.
There are no vessels of war at the present moment stationed at Key West. The city is perfectly quiet, and the people seem disposed to calmly await the denonement of events. The Federal authorities, holding the fortifications, will have undisputed sway.