Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-10
Tn. Destruc,ien Of IN. Priva,eer Petrol.

HKR orFlcsRs AND cnKw PRISONERS IN rHiLA-
DkLFHIA.
The story of the privateer Petrol, late U. 8 rev.
enve cutter Aiken, was briefly told in our dis
patches. The pirate attacked the ffigate st.
Lawrence, of Charleston harbor, mistaking that
vessel for a merchantm an, and was Immediately
blown to pieces bya brosdside from the frigste.
The Philadelphia Press gives the following In
teresting account Of the pirate and her officers:
THE ATTACK.
As the stranger came down, the St Lawrence
boisted all sail and affected to be anxious to get
out to sea. In reality, however, she was edging
closer In to shore and making arrangements below
to receive the reckless visitors with appropriate
largeness. Directly a shot came skipping over
the water, falling into the few rods ahead Of
the frigate, and 4 number followed Il in quick
succession, but nearly all either striking beyond
or passing over. The hnal discharge consisted Of
grape and cinister, which made some little dalli-
ance with the frigates rigg ing, and admonished
tue commander that the play was growing seri-
Gus.
At this time the vessels were within speaking
distance, and man In uniform was seen mounted
upon the pirates deck, whe shouted 20 the ST.
Lawrence to lay to and send over boat. The
crew were distinctly seen fourishing their cut
lasses and the guHners ramming and pointing
their guns, She carried three guns, supposed TO
be rifed cannon. Then the 81 Lawrence threw
up her ports and disclosed whole broadside of
cannon, with the gunuers at the breech Of the
guns, holding lighted fuses, and directly the
broad decks were filled with seamen in blue
jackets, armed with muskets, who sprang into
the shrouds and ran out the yards, laying prone
In the maintop on the breveprit, in the forcastle,
| and at every point where aim could be taken
with advantage.
In a word, the ugly merchantmen was meta
| morphosed into bristling war ship with man
at every point, and a broadsde looking into the
eyes OF the pirates. The latter taken aback, re-
coiled moment; but before they had time for
action, even for thought, the guns belched forth
| iron and fire, splintering the masts, cutting the
rigging and sails as with knives, breaking the
| sPars and the booms, and literally carving the
which the waters rushed, as through siuices, fll.
ing the hold, and admonishing the rebels that
their sole hopes of life lay In the ships boat or in
wrestling with the sea
The fire still continued, and the water was full
OF drlftwood. Many Of the men jumped over
board and the rest launching the lfeboat, jun ped
In and held up white handkerchief as a sign Of
surrender
But one man had an opportunity to 90 down
into the cabin for his property, and he was the
lieutenant fellow named Harvey, formerly q
midsbipman in the United States service, under
command of Captain Sartori. Harvey recovered
his trunk.
THE SURRENDER
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 not injured In ten minutes from the
time Of the discharge Of her first gun the vessel
swayed heavily and went under, carrying down
four men, one Of whom, named Carpenter was q
former Philadelphia, living in Southwark
The officers Of the st. Lawrence now d discovered
the life boat and the flag Of humiliation. They
dropped boat ana made out to the rebels. and
finally passed them on board ship, where they
were ironed as fast as received and securely con-
fined below
In the engagement the St Lawrence received
two shots; one In the foresail, the other In the
quarter deck She transferred her prisoners to
tie Tag on Sunday morning, and they were at
once brought TO this port.