however, before the month ended, engine trouble forced "augusta" to new york for repairs. before this work could be accomplished, the navy department became aware of renewed and intensified threats to the security of the california mail steamers from confederate cruisers and from groups of southern passengers who were plotting to seize these ships. to help in countering these dangers, "augusta" — the only vessel available at new york for convoy duty — departed that port on the morning of 6 november in the wake of "north star", about two and one-half days after that steamer had sailed for panama. upon reaching panama "augusta" was to escort north star back home. she arrived at aspinwall on the morning of 16 november and, two days later, followed her charge out to sea. with great difficulty, she managed to keep "north star" in sight for over three days; but, on the evening of 21 november, a loud and vibrant thump developed in her engine. she followed "north star" to the bahamas: and both ships stopped at mathew town, great inagua, in that island group. there, engineers inspected "augusta"s machinery and confirmed that the piston rod was loose. nevertheless, the commanding officers of the vessels decided to proceed north. about an hour after midnight on 25 november, the loose piston and rod separated with a violent concussion. the failure irreparably cracked the cylinder, utterly disabling "augusta"s engine.