Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-01-19
DESPERATE CONFLICT WITH
PIRATES.

In the latest papers from Holland is found
the following account Of an expedition sent
by the Ncherland Government to the East
Indies against the pirates which infest the
waters east Of Java and among the Molucca
and the Calebes Islands:
The expedition consisted Of one stcam-frigate, The
Hecla) one brig, and three schooners commanded
by Capt Cocrtson. In the spring of last year these
vessels left Sourabaya, and being joined by two YES
sells Of war (prown) belonging to the Sultan Of Su
the crew and passengers Of Dutch vessel lately
wrecked on that coast. The Heca approaching
alone took these persons on board, with large sun
the cargo with more than $50, 900 in money having
been taken BY the natives, they were commanded to
restore it, and on their refusing do so an attack
was made upon them, their dwellings burned, and
to the Sultan Of Sumanap. The cargo and money il
was nscerained, had been thrown into the seq upon
the first approach of the expedition.
Lieutenant C. F. Covers frs, officer of the Hecla
small boats TO nciehborng is,nd, which, after ar
obstinate resistance he succeeded in taking al the
point of the bayonef.
The expedition then sailed to Banioewangie. wher.
they met with five vessels strongly armed each with
moe than thirty men, having the appearance o.
pra ties hut after examining their papers and finding
them sailing under friendly flag, the Dutch wert
compelled 10 suffer them 10 pass.
FROM tHenCe IHev Nlslttu soITe STHV lsIanOS con
tsuons known hnunts Of the pirates hut which were
found inhabited, though exhibiting signs Of having
been recently occupied.
In the straits of Mnccassar they visited the bav oil
Boni the island of Slavery and further south Tan.
max Dampea where they were informed that on the
western coast of that island there were five large p
rate vessels which intended to attack the merchant
vessels coming from Macassar and Tlmor. A COM
mand Of about sixty marines, seventy sailors, and
some islanders with altogether only eighty bayonets
was given TO Lieut.. Covers who left the fleet, and
with his men, in six boats set for the small ba
in which were tho pirate vessels preparing to 70 to
sea- He reached there about half past eight in the
morning, after twelve hours Of difficult rowing thro
narrow and shallow creeks, where h. was immediate
attacked Al eleven the respective forces were in
presence of each other. The pirate vessels lying
with their stern Stewards, their large cannon in bat
terry on the shore, and by the side of this
five other batteries Of small guns. When the Dutch
were at about hall mon shot distance, the firing
with round and grape shot, continued unnerruptedly
on the par, of the pirates. The, had also troop Of
riiemen hid in small bushes. But, Notwithstanding
their superior force, Lieut. Gevers attacked them with
the bayOnet and was soon master Of their fortified
TONS One battery after another was aken after con
tinued and the m,st severe fighting at length Lieut.
Schevink pulled down the pirate flag. The dwelling:
shore burned and the pirate vessels captured
with twenty four cannons. In the evening Lieut.
Gevers returned with his boo's 10 the fleet.
Two days afterwards the Hecln (havng left thu
other vesses) discovered pirate fleet Of seventeen
sail, each with two bank of oars, having sixty &c
! eighty rowers besides twenty-five 10 thirty fighting
men, The Hecla pun sued lhem and having come NJ
with them desperate fight ensued. which lasted fol
hours and half One of The largest OF these prat,
vessels, amounted with thirteen guns, two of which
six pounders after being dism1sied fought with
extraordinary bravery. Lieut.. Gevers sabre in hant
boarded this vessel but was repulsed by the spear
OF the pirates and forced to fire upon il. Forty dent
bodies were afterwards found upon the vessel with
thirty eight slaves, women and children: four pirate
Crying to save themselves by swimmng) were pcket
up and made prisoners second vessel of this pirat
cal feet sunk, the ed themselves fnvore,
bv the approaching darkness and strong wind
Sixteen cannon and many small guns were taken.
Some days later, the island OF Kaatos in the bay
of Bon was visited in boats by Lieut. Gevers 10 as
certain whether pirates harbored there. No soone
had these boats appeared in the hay than they wer
fired upon by the inhabitants; general fire then en-
sued, and landing was effected with great difficulty
The pirates fled, leaving wenty-three of their vesse
on shore; forty cannon were taken, their dwelling
and the vessels were burned, and the whole ISLAM,
devastated. Forty pers ms were delivered from sa
very, who with six Of the pirate vessels ahoat, wer
\ taken ia Macassar. - $50,
These different expeditions (by which the Dutc
! had to deplore men killed and weniv-sx woun
ded) were considered so important in their results
and conducted with much CALAMITY, that at Ma
cassor day of thanksgiving was set apart.
The above accounts are IN to the LIST of July, I941
when the expedition intended TO set forth again o
another cruise, and to extend lis operations east G
Java.