Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-15

was 90 gun brig. 1t was probably consider
ed that all attempts to escape would be useless
and fool hardy.
There were at the time, six or eight water
casks nearly opposite the hatchways and
against the railing on the side of the ship next
to the sea. Under the railing and behind the
casks there was quite space BY reason of the
inclination of the railing towards the deck of
the ship more so than is found in ships as now
constructed. Into this space we crept with
stiffness of mice, and by means of rope pre-
viously secured, we lowered ourselves one
after the other through one of the port holes
upon the main chains. The night as before
mentioned was dark and foggy and the break
ing of the waves against the side of the ship,
together with the rattling of the rigging created
by the wind among the vessels anchored near
us, made noise enough to drown any hustle we
might make in prosecuting our scheme. My
companions were Mr.. Andrews who acted as
our leader, Sylvanus Aver, (who were of the
Ruby,) Boman Pease of Martha's Vineyard,
Mr.. Allen of Boston, the names now only re-
collected, 4 Nirginian, two lrshmen and four
others The two lrishmen were both remark
able for courage, and one of them was as COM
pletely reckless of danger as any man ever
saw. After reaching the main chains we pro-
ceeded to undress, which most of us did to the
bare skin. had enclosed in the handkerchief
which tied around my neck, two guineas
and two silver dollars. After conccaling our
clothes under the shrouds, we lowered our
and which we feared more than any dangers
connected with our enterprise, and made our
way for the Letter of Marque. She lay
more than mile distant, and we were between
thirty and sixty minutes in reaching her. The
reason of our making an attempt upon the out
er vessel will be apparent to the reader when
he is told that it was to avoid the necessity of
passing the fleet which lay in the harbor, in
case we were successful. We heard nothing
while swimming to the destined spot besides
the occasional cry of all's well, TO which we
responded in our hearts that thus far with US
all was WELL
The greater part of our company reached
the privateer within a short interval of time
and although the night was dark, we had great
difficulty in finding her. Those who first
found themselves at the bows of the victim
awaited with indescribable emotions the arrival
of their comrades. All having arrived except
Boman Pease and young man from Rhode
Island, we determined to proceed, and as all
had been instructed what TO do, we hauled our
selves over the bows and disarmed and secured
the sentinel who was sitting npon the windlass
asleep. The sentinel stationed in the after
part of the vessel, instantly cried out at the
top of his VOICE All hands murder - &c.
which he had no sooner DONE than one of the
Irishmen rushed upon him with handspike,
and laid the fellow sprawling upon the deck.
Upon the crying out of the sentry, the Vir
gnian who had till now acted courageously.
Jumped into the water and swarm back to the
prison ship took his clothes from behind the
shrouds, and after dressing himself, went be
low. the matches still remaining open, and
communicated to our fellow prisoners ntelli-
gence that we had all with the exception Of
himself, been overpowercd and confined in
chains, and that he had escaped undiscovered
The sentry on board the prison ship perceived
him when he went below, but supposing that
he had come up a few minutes previous, his
suspicious were not excited.
The number of persons on board we found
were fourteen. The Captain and lst mate
were in the cabin, and the 2nd mate was with
the crew in another part of the vessel. 1t ap-
peared afterwards, that the captain, who was
an Incorporate man, had been on shore the lat
ter part of the day, and returning to his vessel
somewhat intoxicated. he had from some trivial
cause, driven the I'd mate where we found
him. The trap door which led to the apart
ment of the crew, was strongly secured and
guarded as also the companion-way.
Having learned that in vessels of this de-
scription, the arms were usually kept between
decks, we demanded that the chest of weapons
belonging TO her should be brought on deck
Immediately, stating that the prison ship with
all her prisoners, was alongside. Our demand
was complied with, and the chest showed on
deck with great qulckness on the part of our
prisoners We instantly summoned the Capt.
to make his appearance, which he did very re-
luctantly, and advanced half way up the steps,
when he was astonished at the sight of four or
five naked individuals standing above him arm
ed with cutlasses and pistols-and much fright
ened, he inquired : who we were and what we
wanted
We replied that we were American prison.
ers after our liberties, and that if he stepped
back one inch he would be instantly hewn
down. Upon inquiry he informed us that the
only firearms he had below, was two pistols,
then under his pillow wherenpon Mr.. Allen
and myself went into the cabin and obtained
them, and ordered the chief mate to turn out
of his berth where we found him; he proved
to be man of morose and obstinate character.
Having examined the cabin we permitted the
Captain, who was well advanced in years, to
return to it, we then unfastened the passage
that led between decks and commanded the
seamen to ascend two by two and keep COM
pany with their commander. A guard was
piaced IN the steeragc at the foot of the stairs