Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-12-07
THE PIRArE FIGHT.

detail, of the pirate fight OF the 9th inst.
The Alligator was coming 10 anchor the
morning previous, IN the port OF Nolan
zas, when information was brought on
board that an American brig and schoon-
er had been captured some days before,
and were then at anchor and IN possession
OF large gang OF pirates in bay on Inc
east side Of Point Hycacos, about hiteen
les CUES 10 the windwa ard OF Matanzas, and
that The master of the brig and mate OF
the schooner had been sent IN the prece-
ding morning by the pirates, to procure
1000 dollars Tor, the ransom OF the TWO
vessels, with which they were TO return
in three days, on pain OF their vessels De-
ing destroyed. and the officers and crew
remaining on board treated with every Sc
verify their aValicious revenge cou'd IN
hiCt. ID
Having the master aud mate on board,
we immediately stood to sea, ana pro,
ceeded 10 The release of their vessels. Al
day light, on the morning OF the gin INST;
came to anchor of Point Hycacos, ana
within one of the islands at the entrance
,ofthe bay, and about 10 or l2 miles dis
tant from where the brig and schooner
had been lett at anchor, beng ma from
our view by intervening land. we tnen
discovered, some little distance over
small island, ship, brig, and schooner,
lying at anchor, and little further 10 Inc
leeward, a small schooner under saul, her
deck apparently filled with msn, aud
boats communicating between her and
the vessels at anchor, the two last OF
which. al the same time, getting. under
way. With the boats OF the Alligator,
chase was Immediately made alter the
schooner, and she with her sweeps tndea,
Yoring 10 escape by doubling an lsiann
nearest Point Hycacos. and steering up
the bay. The wind being light, ait row
NO three or kur leagues, we had gained
within reach, when the chase rounded,
hoisted red flag, and commenced hsa-
w FIRE Of una aud grape upon US. we
soon regained her wake, and when within
reach OF our muskcs commenced our hre,
the men at the Q at the same time CIV
ing way TO lay Alongside and board on her
quarter Al this time, a second schooner
armed and filled with men, had commen-
ced firing upon US, and passing some ols''
lance ahead brailed up her ioresall on
the starboard bow Of the first, which we
we're now within pistol shot OF, and had
siIenced her FIRE with our small arms,
when her men took preclpltately TO Their
boats, tour or Eve 10 number, towing on
the larboard side, TO get on board their
consort, when our two boats launch, capt.
Allen. and cutter, Lieut.. Dale, pulled a.
way to cut them of Seeing our object
they returned on board their vessel. We
Immediately regained our position sstern,
to pull up aud board on her quarters, re-
turning their FIRE Of small arms AID they
again took to their boals, now on the star
board side, and escaped on board the o.
Their schooner. Capt. Allen nov directed
a midshipman with four men in his gig,
which was near US, to board and take pos
session oil the first prize, and with our
two large boats rowed immediately alter
the second. now reinforced with from 80
to 40 men in addition to her own, (wbIcb
we have since understood to be from DO
10 80, al well furnished with small arms
and boarding pixies, &c and had cameo
within twice our boats length OF her stern
and larboard quarter, sustaining and re-
turning their fire, when the cutter began
to veer off and was falling round on her
starboard bow from the obstruction OF XII
led and wounded at her oars, ana the
launch unable TO keep with the chase from
like causes, ard Capt. A having previous
ly been wounded by two. musket balls, OF
one of which he died four hours alter,
both boats dropped alongside the prize,
and removed our killed (two) and wound
ed FIVE, 1.-TWO since dead, on board her.
She was armed with one long twelve
FOUNDER. on pivot, two do. 6 Founders.
two do 3 FOUNDERS carriage guns, and
two swivels-her red tag mailed TO the
mast In the cabin and ruu were num-
Der Of bottles filled with powder, aud
slow matches through the corks, some OF
whicii having been lighted, and eztinguish>
ed, il appeared evident that the pirates
had set FIRE to them on first leaving her,
expecting she would blow up soon alter
our boarding, but returning SO instantly
on board, they eXtinguished the matches,
and the last tame they were too closely
driven in abandoning her, to take time 10
retire then, The pirates now kept or
and in shore, wAere they were joined by
another schooner, abeAt three miles as
lance from us, o. heavier armament thaa
either of the others, and about thirty men
on board. according TO ourtsabsequent IN
formation , both. however, kept away
under the land; and. with our prize, we
stood out to the Alligator. Having buried
our killed, and taken the wounded on
board, crews were sent to take posses
sion OF the brig aud schooner in the bay,
both of which had been cut adrift. and
were found without any individual ON
board either