The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1847-01-07

occurrences detailed, snd the narration may
be regarded as every way suIhen'ic.
Ga the evening OF the 9Th instant, the so
mers had taken shelter under Green Island
there being the usual appearances iudicat.
ing a norther. Early in the morning oil
the s.h a sail Vas reported from sloit.-
Cant. Semmes got under way TO chase, and !
stood out some miles, until he made out the
John Adams, beng on her return from
Tsmpico. We hal'Si her appearance With
great satisfaction, as Com. Perry had al
ready informed US that she should relieve
Us from the blockade as soon as she came in.
As the Wind had already hauled 10 ,he
NORTH and the weather was threatening,
Capt. Semmes al once run back TO Green
lsaud. Intending 10 snchor as soon as he
could regain his former berth, which We had
proved IN the previous gales TO be safe and
comfortable, besides enabling US TO MAN.
tain cur station upon the blockade.
Ga approaching the anchorage smother
sail was discovered, apparently standing
down for Vera C,uz through the passage
between Green Island and Blanquia Shoal,
with the intention, as was supposed, OF run
ming the blockade. Apprehendlng that The
strange weasel might succeed in her design,
Capt. Semmes was induced TO change his
purpose and run by Green Island, standing
across the passage TO intercept her, max
ing shor, tacks be,asen the reefs. The
wind was then freshen,ng from the north.
west, bot Capt. Semmes hoped TO be able
10 mslntain his position Until The SUSPICIOUS
vessel approached, and TO cut her OF from
Vera Cruz. To effect thus object Il was
necessary 10 press the SomeIs with canvass,
IN order 20 avoid falling to leeNard upon
the reefs, and finally 10 fetch Green Island
anchorage.
The Somors was exceedingly light, haS-
ing on board only fourteen barrels OF pro-
visions aud about coo gallons OF sa;ef.-
After standing across the passage, the yes.
sci was tackled aud Iun bIck towards Green
Island, and as we approached our berth,
Capt. Semmes SAID he would anchor; but
as there Vas a luli at the moment, and the
weather rather soiteued, he determined TO
hold on a little longer aud wore round and
stood across the passage again. As ne
neared Psj9ros reef, we tackled and stood
for the northern pom! Of the Green Island
reef. The strange vessel IN the meantime
came down rapidly, bu, shove no colors.
While al this point, about half past nine O.
clock, A. NJ, while Capt. Semmes was
standing ia the lee arm chest, observing the
reef with bis glass, The officer Ct the deck,
L.. James l.. Parker, reported the appear.
'rEa 49,, than n
the larboard tack under topsails courses,
lib auG main irysail. Capt. Semmes i'm.
mediaiely crossed 70 windward and ordered
the mainsail 10 be hauled up, followed up
on the instant to braiI up the trysaii. The
main sail was hauled % bu, he tryssll took
against the lee rigging and was in part
bralled up with great difficulty, at the same
time The helm vas put hard Up. The sqlalI
now pressing her, the order was given BY
The officer Of the deck TO e, 90 the main
top sail sheet and on the next instant 10 cut
away all lacks and sheets, Finding she
would not pay Of, Capt. Semmes ordered
the helm to be put down, hoping to bring
her TO the wind. Il was however ali una.
Yaiiing. From the momen, size commenc.
ed eareening she continued to 60 over with
great rapidly, and IA 81 seconds wes on
her beam ends. Ia less than ten minutes
she sunk The puff OF wind was much more
violent than could have been expected from
the appearances Of the sealher. The &C
ciden, is, however mainly due TO the ex.
Irene lighness Of The vessel. O0e or two
minutes after she was over most OF the
men and officers had gained the side Of the
vessel OF the tops. Dr.. Wright and Lieut..
Parker, passing through the weather after
port, we're the frs, to reach he nam chains.
They we're followed By several men and an
attempt was made, with such means as sere
al hand, to cut away the main rigging, The
men and officers using their peuknves and
sheaihknyes for the purpose, Capt. Sem
mes. Who had been dashed on the lee eide,
was nov drawn from the water, and as 5000
as he had gained The side directed our ex
erlions. The & st lieutenant. The master
aud Passed MlIshpman Hynson, with d
large number OF men, had by this time
reached lhe side OF The vessel, and verG
making s,renuou. exerIons to relieve be
OF her masts: but il wa. ffuillcss effort
no strain upon the weather rigging. Th,
small larboard quarter boat was 10 the mean
time cleared away and dropped carefully
round leesafd, aud manned by her asua
complement Of five oarsmeD. Md,hpmar
Clarke, who had gaiued the msnlop b
swimming from the Storage hatch was or
dered by Capt. Senmes TO ioke charge 0
the boat. Finding there vas no chance
saving the brig, ADD that she was fast sluk
ing, Capt. Semmes ordered Mr.. Clarke Il
shove of with DR.. Wrgh. and II men, be
sldes fdtser Steele, (who reached the boa
by swimming as she was clearing tn,
wreck, FIRST enqu'rng if there was room
10 The boat for another,) TO pull for Gree
Island about hall a mile distant, aud lmme
dlstely to return If possible and save NOR
lives. This order was at once executed
but not until some Of those in the boat hs
solicited, by name, each Of The officers lie