Disgraceful Conduct of a Seceding Navy Officer?

From New York papers. Dated Boston, Ma. May 23, 1861.

Is it possible that some Southern naval officers resigning from the Union Navy, may have sabotaged Union ships or facilities before leaving? Some definitely thought so as evidenced by this article.

"The Mississippi, which sailed this afternoon, has returned and anchored off the Navu yard. She had proceeded but a few miles down the harbor, when it was discovered that in repairing the engines, about two inches of the delivery pipe, through which the water from the condensers was forced out of the side of the ship, had been cut out and, in its place, a joint of gum and canvas susbstituted, when it should have been a slip joint of iron or other metal.

The defective part gave way, pouring a flood of water into the ship, when the engines were immediately stopped, and the anchor thrown out. Temporary repairs were made, so that she was enabled to return, but lost a 6,000 pound anchor by parting of a cable.

Michael Quinn, of Virgina, late Chief Engineer in the Navy, superintended the repairs on the Mississippi. It is stated that he recently resigned, returned to Virginia and his name stricken from the navy roll. It will take a week to repair the machinery."

The paper definitely suspected Quinn of sabotaging the Mississippi.

I Guess We'll never Know. --Old B-Runner