West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to Mary West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.47 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Aboard the USS "Ladona" at Bull's Bay, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 24.6 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his sister. Says nothing has occurred since the battle at Charleston except their capture of a schooner at Bull's Bay. In frustration says "I have now given up all hope of the Ladona ever doing anything. She is now so covered with grass and barnacles, as to reduce her speed, never great, to five knots an hour, under the most favorable circumstances, and when the wind is ahead, to three." Says the per annum pay of the crew of the ship is $88,000 and that the money might as well be thrown overboard. Says they have given up chasing steamers and only make captures "by vessels running into our arms at night." Says he would serve for nothing if he could get on a good fighting ship. Postscript references a letter from his mother dated 20 April.
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