New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-03-24
Accident 10 the yinsenaes-Chase for
Pirates, &c.
Correspondence of The New.York Tribune.
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TRINIDAD DE CUBA, March ISL io1o'
Messrs. Editors: The dullness and monotoDy
of this little City was broken in upon on the 20th
inst, BY the appearance of ship of war OFT the
coast, making for the anchorage at Bayo bianco'
| which turned out to be the Z. S. ship Vincennes,
Commander Buchanan. She had taken a pilot on
board some DAYS before and been blown of. In
attempting to enter the channelte anchorage about
twelve mile. to the southeast of this port al halt
past o'clock, 2. M. By the sheer carelessness OF
the pilo, she struck on reef with fair wind to
drive her further on Signal guns of distress were
| fred and Lieutenant was despatched IN small
boat to this port to obtain Lighters &C. After try
ing in vain to get off during the whole night, throw
ing over 400 or 500 shot and quantity OF pow
sions and startisg 6O,Oe gallons of water, the
Commander gave orders 10 throw over all the guns,
but before it was executed squall arising, ne or
| dered all sails set and the cables shipped, ard
| had the good fortune to force her over the rect
without material injury. This was bold and
daring measure and perhaps the only one which
would have saved the ship. By the aid Of lighters
the anchors and most of the provisions were got up
and saved The whole loss did not exceed one
thousand dollars, including :lighterage. Amongst
those acquainted with the subject the conduct OF
Commander B. on this critical occasion is consld-
cred highly creditabe, and the fine appearance OF
the officer. and crew were such as to do great Gre
dit to the navy. After getting up her anchors, &c
on the ED she came up to the port and her salute
guns in honor of Washingtons Birth Day rever-
| berated amongst these hills and mountains, and
awakened some of the slumbering inhabitants, who
went about nquirng q if war had broken out.
After obtaining the requisite supply of water and
provisions on the Goth she pursued her cruise to
| Cape Antonio and thence to Vera Cruz. She
was in search of pirates along the south side OF this
island and ali her large boats with number OF her
! men were absent expedition at the time OF
the accident. day or two before she lett, the
Governor of this proviRce received an official COM
munication from Cara about 80 miles TO the east
ward that pirate vessel had been seen ID that
neishhorhood, and that The night CT the 2lst,
SO cannons were heard, which appeared by the
sound to be loaded with bali, end that noasscs
lis inter, seeing suspicious locking brg and hear
| ing the guns had run ashore In co4sternatl.n at
the idea of being chased by pirate. The Consul
| was sent for and formal offer made by the Gov
ernor TO send schooner OF war TO assist Com
mander B. if he would send an expedition in
search of the suspicious vessel. The Commander,
though nearly certain that the guns heard must
have been his own on the evening of the accident
and the brig seen which arrived here the next
day, offered to send his largest boat, we'll manned,
to accompany the Spanish schooner. But, alas !!
the schooner had no sail and could nor start. Two
or three days after the Vincennes left, however,
the schooner having picked patched up some
sails, went out in search o: the imaginary pirate.
Was it not bright idea to suppose that pirate
would be chasing molassesl lighter or that there
could be any occasion for her TO fire SO guns? or
that she would FIRE them without necessity within
| IS miles of rnan-of-war? After all reasoning
and explanation. however, the Spanish authorities
are in the full belief of the reality of the pirate
and No doubt expect to take her with two gun
schooner if she does FIRE 36 guns. 1t seems as
though the firing of those great guns had revived
some of the characters Of Gil Bias.