St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-09-19
How thu Petrol Caught a Tartar

The capture ofthc Privateer Petrol, late
the United States revenue cutter Aiken,
has been briefly mentioned by telegraph.
The pirate was deceived into attacking the
friyate st Lawrence off Charleston harbor,
by supposing her to be large merchant
man, and was then very deliberately q nd
efectually blown to pieces by tho trigate's
heavy broadsides. The Philadelphia Press
gives the following very interesting a.
count Of the affair: -,
As the stranger came down, the St.
Lawrence hois:el all sail and affected to
be anxious to get out tU sen. In reality,
however. she was el ,inS closer in to shore
and making arrangements below to receive
the reckless visitors with appropriate large
ness. Directly shot Came Skipping over
the water, falling into the sea a few rods
ahead OF the fry .te, and a number follow
ed it in quick succession, but nearly all e-
ther striking hey y,nl or passing over. The
final discharge consisted of grape and can
lister. which made some little dalliance
with the frigate's rigging, and admonish-
ed the commander that the play was grow.
ing serious. ......, -:
At this time the v.::o!s w:,. within
speaking distance, and man in uni 'orm
va; seen mounted upon the pirates deck,
who shouted to the St.. Lawreuce to lay to
and send over boas. The crew were. dis
timely seen aouris;,ing their cutlaeses and
the gunners rammins and pointing their
guns. She carried three guns, supposed
to be rided cannon. Then the St Law
renee threw up her ports and disclosed
whole broadside Of cannon, with the gun
aers at the brooch Of the guns, holding
lighted fuses. and directly the broad decks
werc filed with seaman in blue jackets arm
ed with muskets, who sprans into the
shrouds and ran out the ya' ds, lying prone
in the maintop, on the bowzpri:, in the
f,recastle. and at every point where aim
could be taken with advantage. i. .-.. .
|, In a word, the ugly merchantmen was
metamorphosed into = bristling var ship,
man at every point, and broadside Of
cannon looking into the eyes of the pirates.
The latter, taken aback, recoiled mo-
ment; but the frigstc's guns belched forth
iron and fire, splintering the masts, cut
ting tho rigging and sails as With knives,
breaking the spars aud booms, and open:
ing CULTS into which tho waters rushed as
into sluioes, filling the bold, and admon.
ishing the rebels that their sole hopes Of
life lay in the ships boat or iu wrestling
with the sea. a. BE-.
The fire still continucd, and tho water
was full Of driftwood Many OF the men
jumped overheard, and the rest launc he'd
the lifeboat, jumped in and held up white
handke, chief as sign of surrender.
But Que man had IA opportunity to 20
down into the cabin Tor his property. and
he was the lieutenant, = fellow named Har-
w, formerly midshipman in the United
States service, under command of Captain
Sartori /; Harvey recovered his trunks. :
The St. Lawrence still continued the
fire with small arms, but, directing their
aim at the hulk, and not at the small boat,
the crew, excepting four men. were nof
injured. In ten minutes Fl r,m the time Of
the discharge Of her first gun, the vessel
swayed heavily, and went under, carrying
down four men, one of whom, namel Car.
psnter, was former Philadelphian, living
in Southwark. ,..E.. s.>a,.-,- .. 3.,i'o:
The officers Of the St. Lawrence now
discovered the life boat and the flag Of hu-
initiation. They dropped a boat aud made
out to the rebels, and 6oally passed them
on board ship, where they were ironed .s
fast as received, and securely confined be-
low.
In the engagement the ST. Lawrence re-
ceived two shots one. in the fsssail, the
other in the quarter desk. She transfer.
red her prisoners 70 the Flag, on SUNDAY
morning, and they vers at oaos broasht
60 thn port