Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-09-30
ENCOUNTER WITH A PIRATE.

The following Is an extract from the Log.
Book Of the ship Mary Anne, Captain Aaron
Smith, dated at sea, Saturday, April 3Oth'
1886, in lon i09.41.00 East, lat. 3l7 South
~ o'clock p. M. light airs, inclining to
calm people varously employed. p, M.
several proas in sight TO the northward.-
Midnight, light airs and fine weather. AT
A. NJ. the officer the watch called me, and
informed me that there were several proos
sweeping towards the ship Immediately
ordered all hands 10 be called, and clear the
guns for action AT l2 A. NJ. the proas
were closed to the starboard quarter and the
ship would hardly answer her helm. | or
dered musket to be fired at them. The
proas pulled up under our starboard quar-
Ter and commenced firing at the ship. BY
this time we got one of the large guns to
bear upon the proas and fired at them. The
action became animated; the third shot fired
from our great guns evidently struck the
proas, and our crew gave three cheers, which
were Immediately answered by the proas ;
they then came up under our stern and kept
up a brisk firing. several Of their shots strik-
ing the ship. AT this time we poured in II
volley of musketry, which occasioned them
to pull from the ship; breeze sprung up,
and we got our great guns to bear on them,
which made them pull off out of reach Of
our guns BY this time il was daylight, and
observed the largest proa bailing out wa
ter. hoisied English colors and got all
ready 10 renew the fight AT this time the
largest proa made a signal and four others
rowed along side him, and consultation
seemed to take place among them. AT A.
NJ. the proas pulled up under the stern of
the ship; they were crowded with men, and
hailed us in English, and asked where we
were from and where bound. Atthis lime we
had got one of the iSpounders on the poop
and the first shot struck the largest proa,
when they Immediately pulled away astern
of the ship. 1t was now calm. We kept
firing at them until they we've out OF gun
shot; they then anchored and seemed to be
repairing the large proa which was evidently
crippled as we could see them constantly
baiing
AT 10 A. NJ a slight breeze sprung up.
| then called all hands aft and asked them
if they wished to renew the fight and attack
the proas. The crew Immediately wished
10 engage them. then hauled the ship on
a wind, and made all sail towards them
The proas on seeing this, crowded all sail
in line from us, and sweeping at the same
lime. In abou, half an hour the breeze fail
ed us again. and the proas with the aid OF
their sweeps pulled towards the Man Cap
Shoals. south entrance Of Casrimafta passa &c.
Nothing could exceed the good and man
~ conduct Of the officers and crew; and TO
hem am indebted for the saving of tho
ship, as the proas fought desperately They
have riddled the spanker, crippled the main
rigging, topmast backsiays and main trysail
mast Also sent several shots through the
counter and side OF the ship.
AT noon, the proas bearing f. BY S. from
he ship distant seven miles, we finding we
could not come up with them, stood on our
course. Long. 100 40 90, f., lat us.
Signed, AARON SMITH.
Commander Mary ANN