Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-08-10

ed 10 By that impossible reef that no vessel dare ven
iaFe near
During the war ofl8I2 10 1915, | was captured by
the Lacedefnonan frigae, and carried into Bermu
das, where remained prisoner Of war eighteen
months, and was, for time, confined in the Hulk
know them we'll and when Grst crowded
down INTO the gundeck Of that loaihsome craft |
thoughtmy days were numbered. There are very few
persons that form the slightest idea of an entrance
on board Of prison ship. had been partially inni-
ated before, having once been picked up by the
MeIyanone frgate, and once before captured on the
coast OF France, and board the huks at Ports
mouth. Ga entering the gangway, your mess is call
ed ou; aud they not al hand for your pro
lection, YOU pretty sure TO lose your Exit"
The hulk at the head Of ST. Georges harbor NAV
be compared TO war; handsome wonlan's face
The bay which forms the habor is beautiful sheet
OF water On the left lofty hills, with pateaux of
cedar groves along up the SIDES dotted with the white
villas OF the citizens and IN valley, and gradually
rising 10 the hills, is the town OF st. George, with lis
white stone houses and fat roofs and stretching far
down the bay, and the hills below the Barracks
and Fort Somefs On the south some low islands
which the open rolls in incrminabe swell
sometimes dashng against the rock bound shore, until
the white foam looks like ady's ir, gracefully fit
ted to her neck
As soon as was through with my examination a,
the court OF Vice Admiralty, | was marched 10 the
dock-boat, and when | approached the huge black
hulk, swarms OF heads could be peeplng through
the port holes. My blood ran cold as was ushereu
on board OF this floating peSt-house. A few mariners
We're pacing ore-and att, and under large awning
on the quarterback. my name was registered by AN
officer, and my mess numbered. Fortunately for me
my mess was near the gangway, and got but
black eye before was surrounded by INV mess. Ny
clothes bag gone and had the satisfaction OF
seeing one or Two very pretty fights for the possession
OF one OF my shirts. The G0ree was general recev-
ing ship, where the pirate, the prlvaeersman, the
SAILOR. and the andsman, Were all thrown together.
Afterwards, the American prisoners Were transferred
10 the Ardent sixty -lou IN tue upper bay, where the
Thames now lies. Alter few days confinement on
board oil the Goree was transferred TO The Ardent.
Nothing but slTaagem can ever relieve the unlouu
male Mitchell from his position. In the passage up,
inside Of the Reef least -four hundred guns could be
brought 10 bear upon any vessel that should venture in
aud those at high elevation. The reef is perfect
barrier TO any approach direct from sea. There is no
passage through the islands any other way except for
small boats. and they would have pass through HE
harbor OF ST. George in order TO reach the upper bay
a fer remaining board Of the s'iiulks' ioI some
time was fortunate enough TO gel my parole, and
lived on the Island OF ST. George until after peace was
declared. The inhabitants OF the Bernudas
~ pleasant, agreeable people, and the women
beautiful. The air Is pure and wholesome, and the
logs from the banks Of New ioundand bleach their
delicate white skins. until they clear, that the
blue VEINS can be seen through them. ftke the West
India Islands, sea bathing is constant custom with
males ard females, and bays and places projected by
the Iultlng rocks allotted TO the females. where II
would he sacrege for male TO enter There ma
ny handsome cedar groves, which considered val
liable, and, in fact they are the only thing valuable
raised on the Islands, except for home consumption
Bermuda is famous place for Gshng-whaes
spoH around the island at certain Of The year
and as for fish for the table there is no place In the
world, IN the same latitude that equals it. The great
Toast OF Inc Islands IS the g9per, which are caught
with hook aud line on he coast, and The water is so
clear that you can them hook in the bait, in Eve
iiaomS' cannot illustrate on paper, or portray the
excitement Il creates IN watching the motions Of The
iisn when all their movements distinctly with
some Of them very large and contain large quant-
iies ct hsh, which are always on hand TO supply the
market, when the heavy gales, which last sometimes
many days, prevent the fishermen from taking the u.
sual supply.