The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-11-26
DAILY CRESCENT.
The Fire Shin.

ATTACK ON THE BRITISH SHIP ASIA IN 1777
We believe the occurrence related below has
been described in other ways, and its conception
and execution credited to other persons. This
story, is, however, historical accuracy than
any of the rest. 1t is from Tuckerman's Life ol
sStlss Talbot, who rose to be commodore in our
navy. At the time he achieved the exploit of firing
the Asia he but captain, and had but recently
arrived at New York.
"The lovely harbor of this now great metropo-
us then offered of and exciting interest
Riding at anchor in the vicinity of Staten Island,
appeared the British feet, with the army under
Lord Howe. Every spar and line OF cordage in
those swarming battle-ships was defined to the eye
Of the distant spectator, against the lucid azure Of
the sky and on quiet nights, reflected to the gaze
OF the boatmen that haunted the adjacent shore.
Their dark massive hulls and scowling cannon
wore portentous aspect, and seemed to cast long
and prophetic shadows upon the free waters into
which they had ruthlessly intruded-signifcant of
the years OF bitter trial OF which they were omin
Gus harbingers.
Upon the heights of Brooklyn, at York Island
and Panlus Hook rose the newly heaped batteries
OF the Americans Never smiled that lovely bay
more cheerfully than during those clear days Of
that eventful spring. More solitary than at present.
with It's constantly plying steamers and forest Of
shipping, the position of the belligerents plainly
obvious The comparative silence that hung over
the broad waters, the fast. skmming clouds that,
for a moment, darkened their crystal SCREEN and
the occasional furrows raised by sudden breezes
that swept across them, stimulated the imagination
OF the lonely enthusiast who, from some isolated
point, looked forth and mused upon the landscape
twas evident that neither party had, as yet, de-
termined upon its course. The considerate, on
both Sides felt the importance Of successful blow
at the existent juneture yet the actual state Of
lonla defences was but partially known to their
opponents, and premature man9uvring might
occasion temporary discontinue, even in that we'll
appointed squadron. On the other hand, it Was of
the highest moment that the Americans should be
assured of the readiness Of troops cope with
their formidable invaders. 1t was needful that the
spell of vague alarm should be, in a measure
broken, which had been inspired by the presence
oil those destructive engines, whose thunders
seemed to gather new potency from their long
quiescence whose shrouds and decks bristled with
pixies and bayOnets, and whose black and heavy
sides eontrasted viVidy with the red hues of the
soldiers uniforms grouped thckly at the portfolios
and on the taifralls, if impatient to pour forth
upon the land invitingly spread below and
around To one gallant heart this inaction was
especially irksome. Captain Talbot had obtained
the command of fire-ship, and lay directly before
the city, awaiting orders. To secure a more eff
Gent position, and the better to disguise his pur-
poses he took advantage oil light wind ascended
the Hudson fifteen miles, and anchored just above
Fort Washington.
awaited an opportune moment for action. On the
one side, the banks OF the noble river sloped gra-
dually upward, halt covered with low cedars whose
dark umbrage already wore the refreshing tints of
spring; on the other like natural Cortitications
rose the gray and upright rocks of the tufted pail,
sades. Few dwellings then visible. The
nipple oil the water on the pebbly shore was audible
IN the lull OF the wind, and the tranquil and seques-
tered beauty OF the scene gave hint of the deadly
preparations then making on board the unwarke
craft that swung SO gently at her moorings The
lapse OF few hours after Captain Talbot had
chosen his anchorage, evidenced the sagacity of his
movements. Three OF the enemy's ships, in order
TO protect the lett OF their army, in OF need,
had shifted their ground from the harbor to spot
about half way between the mouth Of the Hudson
and the fire-ship. Orders given to the
latter to make night attack. She was filled with
conbustbles and besmeared with turpentine. Sew
eral trains tpowder were laid and Of the crew
was easily induced to strip HIMSELF and lie down
upon deck with lighted match, ready at a mo-
ments warning to ignite the vessel.
'' Al 2 o'clock in the morning they weighed an
chor, and dropped slowly down with The tide.
The nearest of the three ships the Asia, of
slXty-fOur guns, whose tall spars and towering hull
no sooner lOomed upon the eager gaze of Captain
'Tabots hardy band, then they steered directly for
her broadside Unsuspicious ofany danger, it was
hut moment after her little adversary had flung
her graphing irons, that the Asia fired; and then
scene ensued that battles description From the
uep as IL Weres VI pFOIOunu silence, luere oCnOed
the reverberaton of cannon, the cries of the wound
ed, and the piercing shouts of alarm and revenge.
In an instant the darkness of cloudy night gave
place to red flashing glare that revealed the fort,
The waters and the fields, with the dstinctness of
monday, aQd brought into vivid relief the huge
vessels OF war now alive with their startled crews,
who fastened 10 the relief of the Asia, some pour
ing water on the rising flames, others dsengaging
the fire ship from her side and not few intent at
the guns which hurled incessant shower of balls
at the boat in which tie daring originator of this
su iden conlagration was propelled by his brave
Ten toward the nearest shore. Although lighted
in their aim by pyramid of fire, of all the shot
from the three vessels, but two struck the crowded
bark Of the fugitives, Captain Talbot, however,
in his anxiety render the EXP yriment certain had
fingered among the burning embers ofthe fire ship,
aud was the last to escaps-the seaman who had
applied the match having, according to previous
understanding Immediately jumped overheard and
been picked up by his expectant comrades. When,
therefore, the boat reached the Jersey shore in
safety, the appearance of the gallant leader was
irighful and his suffering intense. His skin was
bistered from head to foot, his dress almost entire
ly consumed, and his eyesight gone.''