Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-07-14
CHARLESTON. June %

Destruction Of the JriA Ssruphim. Of
Baltimore, BY TIE Batteries at Porte
BeHo.- We learn from Captain Aveilhe.
of the brig Marion, arrived here yes-
terday, from Kingston, (Jam.) that while
at port, the schr. Phantom, Captain
Etchbergeb arrived there from Porte
Bello, having on board, rs passengers,
Capt. Bossiere and crew, Of the brig
Ssraphim, Of Baltimore, which vessel
had been destroyed by the batteries al
Porte Belle. The following state ment
frsm memsry, is furnished by Capt.
AveIlhe. as an extract frem the log
book Of the schr. Phantom, which yes-
sci was lying near the battery during
the attack, and was to have been pub
llshed 10 Kingston papers the day the
Marion sailed but for the want Of room
was omitted.--On or about the Goth
Maythe Seraphim arrived at Porto clio.
and came TO of the Fort as usual. when
Captain Bessiers went ashore 10 the
Fort A short time Afterwards. he was
seen from the Phantom flying towards his
boat, with the Spaniards in pursuit; be
finally reached his boat and got safe on
board his vessel He Immediately hove
up his anchor and made sail; the wind
being ahead, be was compelled TO beat
As sosn as be was under way the batte-
riss commenced firing; they soon disa.
bled the brig, wounded bic mate and
several OF bis men. He then came to
again, and sent his beat ashore to en-
qulre the reason Of his being fred into.
but the boat crew and second mate.
under whose command she was, were
made prisoners on their landing the
fo't continued firing with no colors I'D.
while the SeraphD had her ensign flying.
Capt EtchbeIgev, who witnessed the
whole transaction, went ashore to the
commander OF the battery and begged
him to cease his Gre; his answer was.
when Capt. Bossiere came ashore him.
self he would ceuntermand the order:
he however ceased firing for a time.
he then wrote nste 10 Capt. Bossiera
to that effect. and sentit by Capt. Es
boat, as Capt. Bossiere would not all
low any Of the barges to board him,
there being several attempting to do so,
which he kept off with bis long pivot
gun and small arms His answer to
the commander was, that it was impes-
sible for him 10 leave bin vessel with a
few wounded men, and she lying in a
dangerous part of the barber. As soon
as he received the answer. the FIRE was
resumed. Capt. B finding the brig We
~ much injured and leaking badly, to
prevent her sinking slip, his cable and
ran ashore onthe rocks. He then went
ashore and was made prisoner. Tbs
Phantom, bounGto ST. Bias on trading
voyage, being ready for sea, the mate
aud crew of the Seraphim we're allow
ed to proceed in her. While the P. was
at st. Bias, Capt. Bessiere, who made
bis escape from the authorities at Por
to Bello, joined Der, and arrived at
kisgston as above stated
1--WE have no clue to the immediate cause
Of the attack upon the Sefaphim, by the com
mandant a Porto Belle in The foregoing state
ment Capt Bossiere appears to have beer
peculiarly unfortunate on bis present voyage
Shortly after leaving Baltimore, it win DO re.
that in giving chase TO the brig Cyg
net, Captain Endicott, from St Croix for Bos
ton, he was taken BY the latter for a pirate
and very harsh account of the TRANSACTION