The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-01-02
BosTos, Dec. IT
PRIZE TO THE ALLIGATOR.

BOSTON, LEG. II.
PRIZE TO THE ALLIGATOR.
Arrived OF this port on Tuesday, Portuguese
ship Mariana Flora, Fenfura daoeieto de Bref-
10, master, from Bahia for Lisbon, where the
vessel belongs. hayiog been ordered 10 this
port by the United States schooner Alligator,
Capt Stockton, for an attack upon tho flag VI
the United States, in charge oil Lieut.. Abbot.
The circumstances relating to this occurrence
arc as follows
On the SIN November, lat. 90, long. so,
the Mariana Flora was discovered by the Al
figa,or, staoding to the Nor,hwa,d and East
ward, but soon after tackled 10 the Sou,hwad,
and on the Alligator nearing her, she clewed
up her courses, banded her top.gallsnt sails
and hoisted small blue pennant half-mast at
the mizen.iop-gal!ant-mas
II was supposed on board the Alligator that
lte ship was in distress and all sail was accord.
insly made to approach her, but ,ney were
shortly alter sGrprired by G'e from. the
whole broadside Of the ship, %heo the Aliiga-
tor was within a short distance of hci which
she kept mp for near an hour 10 stsking po-
siiion, before single gun was discharged
from the .Alliga,or dU.ing all which time the
y. S. flag was flying OF bosrd he Alligator,
and the ship displaying no national nag.
At the expiration of nearly an hour Eon
the time of the first stack, the Alligator com.
mcnced firing upon the ship, which she kept
UP ill within pistol sho, OF the ship, on her
when the broadside Of the schooner being
changed, Capt. Stockton hailed The ship tn
know who and wha, she W., whether she had
any rational flag, 10 which ho received no an
swer. A few minutes after, the Poriu., U-se
llAg was run up tho mizzen, and Immediately
af,c, the Rag was hoistcd, TWO gous were dis
charged at the Alligator. Capt. Stockton,
then hailed tho ship und told ,hem ii they did
no, cease firing and send their boa, along side
the schooner, he would sink her. The crew
Of The ship teen deserted their quarters and
the Cap ain came on board the Alligator.
The ship nroun,ed twelve guns, vO. long
i2, s, 4 81 ard 10 pound esrfonades,
manned with 20 men, including officers. A
part II the guns were thrown over board all
the crew Of the ship were left On beard, and
have arrived in her.
Ertr0es efo letter from Lien.. .f5bor. Of the
hoty 10 Com, John Sha,v, commanding VA
rut Officer in Boston ddted
BosToN HARMON, Dec. 24.
"I have tho honor TO report 10 you my ar
anne Falors. having on board all her crew as
prisouers.--.se III number.
"Tnis vessel attacked the Alligstor on the
5th November, (lat. sbou, 20, le, n. long
80, W. in most outrageous and piraticai
rasnner bu, was foiled in her attempts 10
capture her, and after an action Of one hour
and half surrendered 10 the Alligator.
She is ship Of between 500 and 800
tons; mounted four long ~ Founders, Two
ioag 6 pouptIcrs. snd four "a pound car,on.
ADDS four OF which was under the necessi-
~ Of throwing owe, board IN heavy gale OF
wind in tho Gulf Stream, on the 9th inst, in
which gale we last sotpe Of our spars, and
had our stern boa, washed away.
The prize crew consists CT lG, including
myself and 'wo officers, M'd,hipman George
S. Bake, and M. J. Dixon, Masters Mne;
and it gives me pleasure 10 acknowledge
their unilDrm, vigilsni and correct conduct,
and that they rendered mc every possible aid
"I will tske the liberty TO add, that the
reason oi the great length OF the sction was
in conse quence Of the Tong guns Of the prize,
and Capt. Stock,on's desire 10 get alongside
before ho cum nmenced, Qhe wind being hsht,)
gave her the fight to herself for more ,hsn
Sne boqr."
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