The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-05-26
Boarding aud Searching American
Vessels.
THE scHooNER MOBILE

FROM the New ] ufh lima
captain Howe, OF the schooner Mobile, which
arrived on Tuesday, complains that his yesse
and himself were made The subjects OF a serio,.
ou,nge on the part OF British war vessel
while on his voyage hither from Mobile, and
while passing hey West Captain Howe has
furnished our reporter the following statement
Of the circumstances:
On the 29th ult. ! was about 25 or so miles
south Of Sand Key Light; there was a good
strong breeze rom Z, n. T., and chopping
sea; my schooner was oder double ree.ed
mainsail, whole ioresail, and three jibs; it was
perfectly clear; judge Of my situation from
the fact that sighted Sand Key Light about
three hours after falling in with the steamer; the
ryesse was on the siarboard tank, and heading
TO the northward; | first saw the steamer about
noon, a long way to windward, but could not
make out what she was; at l O'Clock, D. M |
took my glass and discovered she was steam
or, and was apparently | told the mate it might
bc an American naval steamer from some port
in Cuba, bound to Key West Having taken nv
observation and got dinner went below and
in, thinking no more about it.
Between 3 and O'Clock, p. m, my Oldest
daughter came and walked me, Captain Howe
had his wife and two children with him) she
asked what is that vessel doing? got up and
looked ont OF my cabin window, ,(the cabin is on
deck) and saw the vessel was running down to
me, as ifto cross my stern. My impression was
that she intended TO speak to me, and went on
deck to answer the hail in case she did so.
ordered the mate at the same lime to set the
ensign. The mate said, 81 believe she is an
English steamer" lie had been looking at her
with his glass. The steamer (Which was rigged
as a barque) rounded to within musket shot of
my Vra ri NH | ha hoI r.,
British ensign flying. He was then within
hailing distance. The schooner's course was
not changed. AT that moment / heard two
reports, as ofa musket, in quick succession and
instantly ball came whizzing between two men
who were at work on the rigging. then order
ed the mate to haul the forestay sail sheets to
windward; the wheel was put down, and the
schooner was hove to. after this had been done
f,co mare shots aoere fred; one ball struck the
vessel abaft the fore chains, and another passed
over the main deck amid-ships.
The second mate and two men were at work
on the jumper stay, sitting on bales of cotton
amidships; they said they felt the wind of the
ball as it passed over their heads. also heard
the whizzing of the ball as it passed. stood
with my glass in hand, observing the move
ments on board the steamer all the time, and
saw them clearing away the boat as ifto board
Inc. 1t is the universal custom at sea, if an
armed vessel wishes to board another, to fire one
gun, and lift is not needed, to fire second, and
as last resort to fire shot across the vessels
fore-foot. | was al a loss to conjecture what
the steamers treatment Of me could mean The
proceeding suggested to my mind that she
might be pirate. My family heard the firing,
and saw what was passing and were very much
alarmed. My little girl, who is only five years
old, wanted to come on deck but her mother
would not let her. S5e said mother, if was
father, I'd get one of Mr.. Hopkins awful guns
and kin en-" Mr.. Hopkins, my mate, kept two
loaded guns on board. confess felt mad at
the conduct o. the steamer The at 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 this vessel from?
answered from Mobile.
Q. Where is she bound?
A. New York
Q. Where is she owned? r
A. She is owned in New York. I then
thought it was my turn; and said
Q. Why did you fire into US? Did you take
us for a SLAYER?
Officer. No; didn't you see a man o'war to
windward?
A. How should know you was a man o. war?
Otlicer. Didn't you see our pennant?
Captain. l didn'd see it; and, besides we
very often see American and Spanish men owar
with their colors flying, but they never interfere
with me. l have been going up and down the
Gulf for twenty years. and this is the first time
| was ever interfered with. The officer with
head erect, and with laughter manner,
deigned no reply. but asked what is the unm.
ber of your crew? | answered ten men, and I
also have one passenger, my wife and two
children.
Officer. l want to see yonr papers.
| went into the cabin, followed by the lieu
tenant, and taking out my enrolment and IL
cense, handed them to him, keeping my mani
fest in my hand.
Officer. Where is your register? You ought
to have register
| answered our coasting vessels do not have
registers; they sail under a coasting license.
then handed him my manifest, saying here is
my clearence from Mobile in regular iorm He
examined it, and laid it on the table, asked,
"Have you got through? If you have | wish to
proceed. 1t is very strange you should COM
mence boarding vessels in this way"
Officer. We have orders from our government
to board every vessel we fall in with passing up
or down the Gulf
AS OHlOSi lHcH gov Into MS uoatt anu went
on board his steamer, and | filed away and
made sail~on my voyage. The steamer contin-
ued hove to. | notice two or three foreign look
ins vessels passing, which he paid no attention
to.
The whole proceedings was unusual, uncalled
for, ungentlemanly, unofiicer-hke, anil, on the
whole, an unmitigated outrage.
THE RAR0UE IVM II CHANDLER
SAGuA La GRANDE, Sunday, May 2-5E. p. m.
was boarded by boat commanded by an
officer dressed in the English naval uniform.
He came on deck without asking permission,
walked into my cabin, proceeded to ask ques-
tions-such as the vessels name, where she
belonged, where she was bound to- what was
her cargo, and great many others.
Iasked him his object in doing this, and he
replied that he was going home and wanted to
make report Of all the vessels at that place. |
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