Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-08-16

The DESTRUCTION OF THE PETEBL.-The
untimely end of the rebel privateer PetreI-
formerly the U. S. revenue cutter Aiken TAX
en- possession of by the rebels at Charleston
last November-by being blown to pieces by
the guns of the U. S. FTigste st. lawrence,
which was mistaken fog InGrchantman off
Charleston Farbor, Is thus related by the
Philadelphia Press Of the orh inst
As the stranger came down, she St. Law
renee hoisted all sail and affected 60 be anAi-
| Gus to get out to sea- Ia reality however
she was edging closer in to shore and making
arrangements below to receive the reckless
visitor with appropriate hrgeness. Directly
u shot came skipping over the water, falling
! into the sea few rods ahead OF the frIgate,
| and number followed IL in quick succession,
but nearly all either striking beyond or pass
ing over. The final discharge consisted of
CRAZE and canister, which made some little
dallianes with the irigate's rigging, and ad-
monished the commander that the play was
growing serious.
At this time the vessels were within speak
ing distance, and a man in uniform was seen
mounted upon the pirates deck, who shout
ed to the ST. Lawrence to lay to and send
over boat. The crew we're distinctly seen
fourishing their cutlasoes and the gunners
ramming and pointing their guns. She
carried thr guns, supposed 10 be rltied can
non. Then the St. Lawrence threw up her
ports and disclosed q whole brOadsIde OF can
non, with the gunners at the breeeh OF the
gus, holding lighted fuses, and directly the
broad decks were filed with seamen ID blue
Jackets. armed with muskets, who sprang
into the shrouds and ran eus ON the yards, lY-
ing prone in the maintop. ON the bowsprIt
in the forecastle, and at every point where
aim could be taken with advantage.
In word, the ugly merchantmen was
metamorphosed INTO a bristlIng waT ship,
with man at every point, and broadshe
of cannon looking into eyes of the pirates.
The latter, taken aback, recOlled moment; |
but before they had time for action, even for |
thought, the guns beched forth iron and lire, |
spllntering the masts, cutting the rigging |
and the sails as Nth knives, breaking the |
spars and the boOms, and literally carving !
the schooner into pieces, and opening gulls
into which the waters rushsd, as through |
sluces, filling the hold, and admOuIshlng |
the rebels that their sole hopes of life lay in
the ships boat or IN wrestling with the sea.
The ire still continued. and the water was
full of driftwood. Many of the men jumped
overheard, and the rest, launching the HE
boat, jumped in aud held up white flag as
sign of surrender.
The St Lawrence still continued the hre
with small arms, but directing their aim at
the hulk and not at the small boat. the crew,
excepting men, were not injured. In lO
minutes from the discharge OF her first gun,
the vessel swayed heavily and went under,
carrying down 1 men, one of whom, named
Carpenter, was former Philadelphian, LI-
ing in Southwark
The officers of the St. Lawrence now dis
covered the life boat and the hlg of humilia
ton. They dropped a boat and made out to
the rebels, and finally passed them on board
ship, where they were ironed "a fast as
received, and securely confined below.
The prisoners were transferred to the Flag,
taken to Philadelphia, and put in prison to
await the action OF the proper authorities
The captain Of the Petrol was VIM. Perry,
North C4rol:nsu The officers AMI crew
numbered 81.