The Harriet Lane arrived off Charleston Bar within an hour of the commencement of fire on Ft. Sumter at 4:30 AM. Naval Assistant Secretary Fox arrived on the Baltic to find the Harriet Lane the only appointed ship of the squadron on station. The Pawnee shuffled in around 6 AM.
Look in Welle's Diary for a reference to Fraunce's report. There was a bit of an embarrasement due to "insurgent" elements redirecting some of the shipping due for the Sumpter expedition by writing orders and having them signed by Lincoln. The Powhatan, which carried vital equipment for the mission, was one of the ships sent elsewhere.