Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-04-22

49, c.- .lFs-1,. -..., 6TI
Volume l.
which at that time were stationed at
convenient intervals along the whole
southern coast of China, and which
succeededi;n entrapping number of
valuable American ships, and prevent
ed others from leaving port Her arri.
val caused quite sensation among the
English officers, and old Commodore
Treenale arrived at Whampoa in the
lfrigate Salamander, few days after.
wards, declaring with a. knowing look
as he gazed with an admiring eye on
ftke fair proportions of Tie Beautiful
brig that although "Jonathan" had fair
ly weathered them by entering the port,
yet he would find it a difficult matter
to get out. ..L'-,
Captain Wilcox anchored his brig
apart from the other vessels in the har-
Dor, and took pains to conceal the ac-
tual condition of his armament and
crew. On shore, especially in the
presence of British officers, he talked
large, and impressed them with the
idea that the Wanderer was a crack
privateer, of eighteen guns, and at least
one hundred men. In the mean time he
was secretly purchasing his cargo Of
teas and silks, and by way Of recrea.
tion, caused dozen quakers or wooden
guns, to be manufactured on board,
and regularly mounted on carriages or
slides. He was thus enabled on gala
days to show what appeared to be- a
formidable set Of teeth, although the
greater part Of them were false ones!
One day Commodore Treenale, in
a conversation with Captain Wilcox,
expressed desire to go ON board the
Wanderer. The Yankee was aware
that the Commodore merely wished to
satisfy himself ofthe efficiency of the
vessel, and to form an opinion Of the
result of any contes. that might take
place between the American brig and
one of the English gun briggs then in
the seas. Nevertheless, without indi.
eating by his manner any reluctance,
Wilcox cordially invited the British
officer TO honor the Wanderer with his
presence the next afternoon.
Capt. Wilcox went Immediately on
board the brig, had his 'quakers" put in
good trim, and sooth to say they made
an imposing appcaranceF in their war.
like garb, and provided with tonpkins,
aprons, brcechings, gun-tackles, and
other trimmings; cannon shot were ar
ranged consplcuously in ranks about
the bulwarks-and sabres, pistols and
boarding pixies in great prolusion, were
exhibited in gallant array. Wilcox,
who was seldom at loss for expedi-
ents, next considered how he should
make up for the deficiency in his crew,
and finally applied to the captains of
the few American vessels in port, tor
the loan of their crews for a day! This
favor was readily granted. The Wan.
derer was soon manned with some
eighty or ninety as fine fellows as ever
knotted a reef.point or paddened an.
chot-(we had MO chain cables in those
daysy-and when Commodore Tree
nail came ON board in his barge, agree
ably to appointment, and passed up the
accommodation ladder, and over the
gang-way, and saw such crew, all
neatly dressed, at quarters, he prompt.
ly decided in his own mind that the
Wanderer was calculated to do great
deal OF mischief, and would make short
work with anything of less force than a
sloop oi war. He determined TO take
his measures accordingly.
The result cqualled the expectation
of Capt. Wilcox, who stood in as much
fear OF a small gun brig as OF frigate,
but who was determined to avoid a
contact with either, and trust to the
nimbleness of his heels, if he could
once get fairly out at sea. A furious
squall set in during the night. The
wind blew in fierce and fitful gusts, and
the rain fell in great abundance and in>
creased the obscurity of the atpfes-
phere. Wilcox ordered the cable to
be cut, and under.a reefed foretop sail
and jib, shot like a struck dolphin out
of the harbor of Whampoa.
The Wanderer had fine run to the
Cape of Good Hope, and met with no.
thing to furnish cause for alarm. One
day, when a few degrees 10 the west
ward Of the Cape as day broke in the
east, large ship was seen steering to
the eastward under press ofsail. Capt.
Wilcox altered the course of the brig,
and steered directly for the ship, which
he soon made out to be heavy East
Indiaman, doubtless we'll armed, and
manned with numerous and effective