The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-06-22
Capture OF the Privateer Savannah

Capture OF the Privateer Savannah.
One of the robbers of the ocean denomina.
ted privateers has been at length captured 5y
one of our blockading fleet. between Charles
ton bar and the Great Abicor. in the Gull
stream, on the evening Of the 3D. of june. -
The name Of this craft is the Savannah. She
was used as pilot boat No. in Cha rleston
harbor, and was considered to be one of the
fastest saiers and staunchcst crafts in that
locality. The Savannah was taken by the
brig Perry carrying an armament of six guns
The particulars oil her capture arc as follow s.:
The Savannah was fitted out as privatce
i'll Charleston. She was provided with q
crew OF twenty men, including officers, as
well us the necessary supply Of ammunition,
arms, &C. No food tit for the craving iner-
c'narcs of Jeff. Davis had been met with
until two or three Gays previous to their fall
ing into the hands OF the Federal Govern.
inent, when the Joseph Of Rnckland. loaded
with sugar, from Cardenas, Cuba, was fallen
in with.
superior right TO the ownership of the
Joseph was asserted by the Savannah and
in consequence OF having no means of defence,
| the former had to succumb to the stronger
powers of the latter. The captain Of the
Joseph was taken on board the privatcer, and
received the worst treatment. He was refused
any Of his property. and then stripped almost
naked 81 the apparel which he had on. The
piivatcer put eight men of her crew on boa rtl
tie prize, and transferred the crew of the
Joseph to their own vessel. The Savannah
hen left the prize vessel giving orders to
those on board to put into the nearest port
belonging 10 the Confederate States. The
Joseph soon after succeeded in reaching
Georgetown, South Carolina. The Savannah
accompanied them almost to Georgetown.
After the rrivatecr saw their pr ize safely
ensconced in Georgetown. they put out in
quest Of some further material to practice
upon III the way Of merchant vessels, and
happened to perceive the brig Perry in the
distance, which they mistook for a merchant.
man, as she had her ports closed in order to
deceive the advancing enemy. The Savannah
pushed boldly forward to the attack, think
ing that she had an easy prey. but when
almost within shot distance she discovered
that She had got in the clutches Of one of
Uncle Sam S emissaries and imme diatey the
order was gwen = bout ship" and the bold
piivateer showed the white feather, and
tiled TO run. The Perry capped on ali sail
and gave hot pursuit. The chase was quite
exciting, and by degrees it became evident
that the Savannah mus. inevitably become a
capture instead Of capturer. When the
vessels came within range of each others
guns. simultaneous fire was opened by both
crafts. but no person was injured on either
side. The shots OF the Savannah had no effect
whatever. they flying far a,hwart the bows
of the ship, and taking every imaginable
course. but the right one, while on the con.
trary the attack Of the United States vessel
produced seine havoc in The rigging of the
enemy, two shots passing completely through
her f'resail and cutting away some of her
ropes.
The Savannah at last hove to, seeing no
possible chance of escape. and she was imme.
dlately boarded by the crew of the Perry
The naval officers at once rushed down INTO
tie cabin and secured the papers, &c. No
resistance was made by the pirates. as they
believed discretion to be the better part Of
valor. seeing the position in which their
treachcrous and bloodthrsty tendencies had
placed them. The crew were then all tax en-
prisoners and brought on board from whence
they were transferred to the war vessel Min.
nesota. lying of Charleston bar. A prize
crew of seven was then detailed for the priva.
teer. and she was sent on TO the port of New
York, under charge of the Master Mate,
McCook, where she arrived on Saturday, last.