From "British Blockade Running in the American Civil War."
This is the story of the capture of the Don.
Late on the afternoon of her third day out of Nassau, she was waiting off the coast of Wilmington. The day was hazy. Painted gray, the Don was all but invisible beyond a couple hundred yards. Then the sun burnt throught the haze, and almost at once the lookout spotted a Federal cruiser, under steam and sail, bearing down n them.
Cory quickly summed up the situation. There was insufficient time for the Don to get up enough steam to escape. He ordered up steam, then turned his vessel into the wind. She sat there waiting, making no attempt to flee.
The Union vessel was a large, full-rigged corvette, and was running along before a strong breeze. In order for her to be brought under control, the sail would have to be furled. Cory watched as, up the rigging, the sail was gathered in. She was barely fifty yards away when Cory ordered full speed ahead.
Off the Don shot, past the Union vessel which was unable to bring her guns to bear. The Federal ship continued on for a quarter mile before she could make her turn.
In the meantime, the Don was speedily putting distance between herself and the enemy ship. Eventually turning, the other ship opened fire with her bow guns but to little effect. The Don was up and away. As darkness descended, she lost her pursuer.
A Close One...But. That Sly Captain Cory. --Old B-Runner
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