The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-02
Seltft Storp.
THE YANKEE PRIVATEER.
oas A NAUTICAL SKETCH.
By sYIvANus COBB, Jn.

rs There never was class of people who
could do up privateering in manner
so agreeable to all parties, and at the
same time so profitable to themselves, as
the Yankees. During our last war with
England there were many down east
captains who did up bit of this work in
o sly way, without ever claiming the honor
of having mounted swivel, or even let
ting people know that they did anything
out of the regular trade in shingles and
potatoes. That beautiful river, upon
whose richly diversified banks first drew
the breath of life-the noble Kennebec-
gave the first watery embrace to many
craft that proved anything but welcome
visitors to the various cruisers about our
coast, and as a general thing. these down
casters were pretty successful.
One bright morning in June, a COOL
sized brig made her appearance out from
the mouth of the Kennebec, and stood off
to the southwark and eastward under easy
sail, with the 'stars and stripes" merrily
playing in the breeze at her peak. There
were twenty three men on her deck; but
had you asked the captain why he took
/, so many hands, he would have told you,
as he told the folks at Bath, that most OF
them were passengers, going to Boston.
Captain Nswcomb was a rare specimen
of Yankee genius. He stood about five
feet seven in his stockings, stoutly built
and well put together, with round, pro-
voking looking countenance, set off by q
: pair of gray, twinkling eyes, and surmount'
Q ed by liberal crop of sandy hair. His
mate, and indeed the whole crew, passen
gers and all, would pass for thorough
bred down. casters. The brig enjoyed 9
purely native name-the SALLY ANN.
Now, my boys shouted the Captain
as he lowered his long glass with which he
had been sweeping the blue expanse O
water, we're clear of all eyes but oul
own; let's put on the old Sally AIMS
. cruising togs, and I'll be darned if We
don't cut up-a caper with some of then
British cruisers that'll make 'em think
they'd better be to hum.'
a'Cap'n,' said the mate. advancing to
wards his superior, are you sure tht
schooner'll be out tomorrow mornirg?'
Yes, she'll be after US by daylight, ant
We must be ready for her. Get up you
burtons and falls, clear away the chock
= around the mainmast; come, be lively
boys ~
In obedience to the Captains orders
two planks were taken up just forward O
the mainmast, and q heavy burton fall wa
secured to it by stout strap, and the
rugged to the forsmast. The main -shroud
and back,stays were eased up, and in
short time the mainmast was stepped for
: ward some six feet, the heel Of the mas
was firmly secured, and the shrOuds an
! stays again set up, with the eyes of tn
rigging also hooked further forward.
heavy pair of sheers were then rugged u
abaft, aud q mizzenmast was soon steI
81 ed and rugged, and by daylight the mex
the Sally Ann was transforme
into handsome bark, with surface {
canvas that might have sufficed for ves
.selsone- third larger.
Shortly after the deck was cleared uy
small schooner hove in sight, and in th
ssi course of two hours she was alongsid,
Is Shshsd even men on board, and hrougt
z out fye guns four eighteen pound cal
roaades, and one long forty-two, tegethe
J with an abundance of ammunition. Thos
;avtieles were hoisted on board the bari
and taking four Of the schooner's mel
that vessel was allowed to put back, Will
the Sally Ann spread her canvas, and too