Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-10-03

been performed, observing the shot, is sat.
isfed of the fact. On this occasion il
happened that the cabin guns were drawn
first, and to avoid numbering the cabin
were directed to be carried away. One
of those shot, it seems from carelessness or
hurry, was laid alongside of one of the
guns in the waist, before the gun had
been drawn and to this slight circum
stance Were owing the mischances of the
day.
While the salute was firing, the atten-
ton of the first lieutenant was attracted
by the report of one Of the guns, and he
Immediately called out
Gunner that gun had shot in it. -
"No, SIR the gunner replied, "there
is the shot alongside the gun
NO matter for that, said he lieutcn.
ant, II am satisfied from the sound, tina,
the gun was shotted.'
81 do not think so. sir, rejoincd the
gunner, "but at any rate the guns are so
depressed that the sho: could do no
HARM
The guns had been depressed to pre-
vent damage to the neighboring shipping
from the wadding.
The salute was fired the first lieutenant
gone below, leaving the second licntcn-
ant in charge Of the deck. While the
officer was pacing the deck, unconscious
of impending evil, he observed boat
putting off from Dutch gun-brig, their
nearest neighbor, and steering for the
Ontario. She was soon alongside, and
Dutch lieutenant stepped upon the
deck, with strong symptoms of constcr-
nation in his demeanor.
"Mein Got, sir" was the first saluta-
ton, "you fired shot into us Just now
which carried away our main pcam, and
almost kilt n man.
The American officer expressed his
deep regret at the accident. and request.
ed the Dutch officer to be seated, while
he communicated the circumstance to
the first lieutenant.
''ll-, do you know we've shot
Dutchman this morning -
"Shot a Dutchman impossible,
cried the lieutenant.
"Its tact-hercs an officer from
the Dutch gun-brig on board of us. and
he tells me we've carried away some of
his tackle and almost kilt man.
Then for God sake, my dear fellow,
get boat, so on board, explain the ac-
cident, and make every proper apology
ascertain what damage has been done,
and offer suitable reparation.'
The officer went on board the Dutch
brig and explained the accident to the
captain, whom he found a very reasonable
man and satisfied with the explanation
he gave him. The shot, it seems, had
struck the surface of the
water and glanced of-passed over the
Dutchman's poop and struck his main
boom or '.pcam as the Dutch office had
it. The lieutenant inquired for the
man who wa "amost killed. and was
gratitied to learn that the "almos." meant
that the shot had passed pretty near
young mildly who was walking on the
poop at the time, but had neither hit nor
hurt him. The Dutch captain politely
declined an offer to repair the broken
boom. and the American lieutenant re-
turned to his ship. He had scarcely fin
ished his report to the first lieutenant.
when boat came alongside with an of
fcer from French corvette which was
lying beyond the Dutch brig. We may
observe, by the way, that at the time we
are speaking of, there was much cool
ness subsisting between the Aperican
and French officers in the Mediterranean,
growing out of the unfortunate fracas
which had occurred short time before,
at Mahon, between some American and
French sailors. in which a French officer
and an American sailor were killed.
The French officer came on deck, and
with demcanor that was anything but
conciliatory, stated that shot from the
Ontario had passed over the French
kings corvette-, carrying away
some of the rigging and quantity of
scamcn's clothing which had been hung
out to dry.
The officer, stepping to the compan.
ionway, communicated this additional
misfortune to the first lieutenant.
oil, we've shot a Frenchman
''Shot Frenchman - exclaimed H.;
sis it possible When shall hear the
last of that internal shot Go on board
nv dear --, without delay, and
satisfy Monsieur that it was an acci-
dent"
The lieutenant accordingly went on
board the French corvette, and explained
to the captain the circumstances, express
sing his deep regret at the accident, and
offering to send the proper persons from
the Ontario, to repair damages. Mon
sicur, however, was not in as placable
a mood as Mynhcer he declined The o.
fer to repair damages, but talked of in.
forming his government, and maintained
a reserved and offended manner, until
the American officer patience began to
wear out; assuming as stately demean-
or as the FIenchman, he grayely OBJ
served. 'sSir, have informed you Of
the circumstances Of this accident, and
made you every apology which in my
opinion the nature of the case required !!
will you be pleased to inform me wheth-
- ,.x:,Eol ~ Tho Eroonb cap.