Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-02-12
Escape of American Vessel from Detention at
Marseilles.

Letters from Marseiles state that an American ship
the Adratc, had run down French steamer, destroy
ing life and property to considerable extent. The
Adriatic placed under embargo until the damages
could be udciay settled but she surprised the autor
ties by stealing off. The French Government will ap-
ply at Washington for redress" A letter from Mar
seies dated January TO- gives the following additional
particulars Since yesterday the whole town has been
talking of strange affair." which it is thought may give
rise to serious diplomatic complications. You remember
the fearful collision between the Lyonnas, French
steamer belonging to the Messrs. Gauther Brothers,
and the Adriatc, an American ship when the former
vessel foundered Upon that occasion the American
Captain left the of the disaster without troubling
himself about the result and reaching his destination
omitted to make any mention in his report of the
fortunate occurrence. Several months having elapsed
the Messrs. Gauthier learned that the Adratic was N
ing at anchor in the harbor of Cotat. An order was
Immediately obtained to sequestrate her and bring her
here where stricter surveillance is maintained in the
port Capt. Durham lost time in protesting against
this measure and appealed to Tribunal of Commerce,
in which the pleading of young ovooat, NJ. Aycard,
himself American by descent, gained the day for his
client From this judgment the French owners of the
Lyonnais appealed to the Court of Appeals at AK, and
the cause brought before that tribunal when the
previous decision quashed and the American ship
declared lawful prize.
During the proceedings in this latter court the Adra-
tic was unrigged. Captain Durham not the man
to submit quietly to adverse sentence and according
~ IN concert with one OF his fellow COuntrymen, he de-
vised the following scheme The ship Meaher command
ed by Captain Smith, was also under sequestration on
account Of heavy debt contracted by her, and which
had not been paid. Capt. Smith, daring and reso-
lutte fellow contrived to bring her alongside Of the
Adriatic. This maneuvre being effected the Meahers
cargo shifted in very short space of time to the
hold of the Adriac board of which at the same time
the others rigging transferred The Captain then fol-
lowed, and at o'clock in the merning of Saturday last
the Adratic passed the Toilette port At this point
there is always duty boat of the Customhouse and
the officer who was in her, hailed the ship when Cap
tain Durham leaned over the SIDE Are your papers
all right?" asked the officer {" Oh, yes, answered the
captain. What's the name of your ship?' THE
Moon" replies he, and out to sea the Adriatic goes
though condemned to be sold for the benefit of Mesrs
Gauther. with her double cargo. Her departure was
not perceived till broad daylight and then complaint
was lodged, but whole day had been lost They say
that the project ordered out the Chacal war paddle
steamer stationed in the old port and away she has gone
to catch the Adratc if she can She has not returned
from her chase and seafarng men think the Ameri
can has into some creek along the Spanish coast
Capt. Smith, just before his departure bought three
guns, other arms, and some powder all of which wer,
conveyed from the Meaher to the Adriatic. This Gu
rious affair will, perhaps not be easily settled