Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-20
From the Neto FORK Times
The lOutrase by the British Steamer

Styx.
The american Schooner Mobile Fired Into, Board
ed and Searched-Ndrroto Escape If the Officers
and Creac From Rife Bullets.
Captain Howe. of the schooner Mobile,
which arrived on Tuesday, complains that his
vessel and himself were made the subjects of
a serious outrage on the part of British war
vessel, while on his voyage hither from Mobile,
and while passing Key West. Captain Howe
has furnished our reporter the following state
ment of the circumstances:
"On the 10Th ult. / was about 25 or 80
miles south of Sand Key Light; there was
good strong breeze from E. n. E., and chop
ping sea; my schooner was under a double
reefed mainsail, whole foresail and three jibs;
it was perfectly clear; judged of my situa-
ton from the fact that l sighted Sand Key
Light about three hours after falling in with
the steamer; the vessel was on the starboard
tack and heading to the northward, first
saw the steamer about noon, long way to
windward, but could not make out what she
was at l o'clock p NJ, l took my glass and
discovered she was steamer, and was appar-
emily running across my bows: | told the
mate it might be an American Naval steamer
from some port in Cuba, bound to Key West.
Having taken my observation and got din
ner, | went below and turned in, thinking no
more about it.
Between and o'clock p NJ, my oldest
daughter came and walked me, Captain Howe
had his wife and two children with him. she
asking what is that vessel doing? | got up
and looked out of my cabin window. 1.-THE
cabin is on deck,) and saw the vessel was
running down to me- as if to cross my stern.
My impression was that she intended to speak
Il al
hail in case she did so. | ordered the mate
at the same time to set the ensign. The mate
said, II believe she is an English steamer"
He had been looking at her with his glass.
The steamer, which was rugged as a bark,
rounded to within musket-shot of my weather.
quarter, when | saw he had the British ensign
flying. He was thea within hailing distance.
The schooner's course was not changed. At
that moment, / heard two reports, as of a
musket, in quick succession, and instantly a
ball came whizzing between two men who
were at work on the rigging. / then ordered
the mate to haul the forestaysail sheets to
windward; the wheel was put down, and the
schooner was hove to.--After this had been done,
t,co other shots fired. one ball struck the
vessel abaft the fore chains, and the other
passed over the main deck amid-ships.
The second mate and two men were at
work on the jumper-stay, sitting on bales of
No'NCsA
wind of the hall as it passed over their heads
also heard the whizzing of the ball as it
passed. i stood with my glass in hand,
observing the movements on board the steam
er the same time and saw them clearing
away the boat if to board me- 1t is the
universal custom at sea, If an armed vessel
wishes to board another, TO fire one gun, aud
il it is not needed, to fire second and as a
last resort to fire a shot across the vessels
sore-foot. l was at lost to conjecture what
the steamers treatment OF me could mean.
The proceeding suggested TO my mind that
she might be pirate. Ny family heard the
firing. and saw what was passing and were
very much alarmed. The boat with six men
and lieutenant came alongside, and with
out saying word, the officer came on deck,
and addressing no one in particular, asked:
Q.-Where is the vessel from.
i answered from Mobile.
Q.-Where is she bounds
Anew York
Q.-Where is she owned.
A.-She is owned in New York. / then
thought II was my turn, and said:
Q.-Why did You fire into met Did you
take us for SLAYER!
Q.-No. Didn't you see man o. war to
windward?
Allow should know you were a man
o. war;
Ofiicer-Did'nt you see our pennant!
Captain--I didn't see IL, aud besides, we
very often see American and Spanish men
o. war with their eolors flying. but they never
Interfere with me. | have been going up and
down the Calf for twenty years and this is
the first time | was ever interfered with.
The officer, with head erect, and with a
naughty manner deigned no reply, but asked
what is the number of your crew! / answer
cd ten men: and also have one passenger,
my wife and two children
Olicer-l want 10 see your papers.
went into the cabin. followed by the
Lieutcnant, and taking out my enrolment,
and license, handed them 10 him, keeping my
manifest in my hand.
oiiicer-Whcre is your Register. You ought
20 have a Register.
answered our coasting vessels do not have
Registers, they sail under coasting licenss.
| then handed him my manifest, saying, here
l. my clearance from Mobile in regular form.
He examined IL, and laid il on the table l
asked, Have yoa got through. III you have
wish 10 proceed Ii Is very strange yea
should commence boarding vessels Ia this
way
officer-we have orders from our Govern
ment 10 board every vessel We fall In with
passing up or down the Gulf.
The officer then got into bis boat, and went
on hoard hls steamer. and filed away and
made sail on my voyage. The steamer Goa
timed hove 10. | noticed two or three for
rlgn locking vessels passing, which he paid
no attention %.
The whole proceeding was unusual, uncaii-
"a for. ungrntlemanly. unciiieer-isks, and, On
4 he a hole "a unmifiealed outrage.