Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-07-23
CAPTURE OF a BRITIsH BRIG.
THEY SEND THE PRIZE PRISONERS TO
NEW YORK.
STATEMENT OF THE cApTIyEs.


Captain Peel of the brig Costa Rica, arrived
Mt New York on Saturday from Aspnwall, re-
ports; o,h inst, OF Cape Antonio, spoke brig
Cuba Captain j. D StrouI, from Trinidad, Port
ot Spain, for London, who reported that on the
9Th lust, oil the Isle Of Pines, she was boarded
by the privateer steamer Samter, who declared
the brig prize to the Q. S. A., and put prize
crew OF five men on boRrd to take her to the
nearest port. Captain Strout succeeded in dis
arniing them, aud put them in irons, aud he will
brug his vessel to New York. Two of the
pfiVateersmen are now on honId the Costa Ricn
The prisoners were taken 10 the U. S. Mar.
shal's office. Their names are Henry Spencer
and John DAWSON. The former is an English
maj, aged rs years, and the latter Scoichmnn
from Edinburgh, aged %. They are both sea-
men, and last December left Philadelphia on the
merchant ship Mazeppa, which had been char
teied by the Government TO take Goals to the
heet on the African coast. The ship sailed from
Africa to NeH Orleans. Davidson has served in
the United States Navy three years. Spencer
said he had sailed from this port for the past
twelve years. They state TINT they embarked
on board the Snsater TO avoid starvation in New
Orleans, and that they intended to run away
when the first opportunity presented
The Captain Of the Sumter is named Semmcs,
tho LIST Lieutenant Gail They had a crew OF
10 men, n portion of whom, some fifteen OF
| iNuNt9 III huinbNif Hcic Nuitnernnlpu, VINO uc-
sired TO escape when the chance offered
The appointments Of the ship were similar to
those Of regular mnn OF war. the officers, ac-
cordnR TO the statements of these mtn, having
formerly held positions Of command in the navy
/ The men enlisted for three years Mt the rate, for
ahe-hodicd seamen, Of SlS per month"; and
ordinary seamen Sl1. The crew was composed
OF nil nationaliiies but the men were not Gu.
lhusiastc in the Southern cause. The officers
a pu 10 oh 10 ..... 4
five guns-one 6S-pounder and four 80 FOUNDERS
amidship She also had large number Of shells,
and there were small arms in abundance, such
us muskets, shooters, cutlasses, sabers,
boarding. pixies, &c.
The Sumter left New Orleans on June 30ih.
The United States steamer Brooklyn was heat
ing in and gave the Sumter chase, but the latter
being very fast sailer escaped her. On the
Sd Of July last, she took her first prize, the
Golden Rocket of Bangor, which was suisse
quenuy burned. On the nth Of July, she captur-
ed the briggs Machias and Cuba oil CienfuCgos.
A PRIZE crew, consisting OF two marines, md
: Spencer and Dawson 1.-THE prisOners). were put
on board, Midshipman lIolgsen acting as prize
master. The midshipman is said to be from
1 Hampton, Virginia. The Sumter towed these
vessels oil night and about o'clock in the
morning the hawser parted, and the Cuba was
ordered TO steer in for the land. This mOrning
Of the 9th was the last they saw of the Sumter,
she still having the brig AIachias in tow. The
men state that they told the crew of the Cuba
that they did not wish to hold her us u prize
The crew worked the brig as usual sometimes
receiving assistance from the strangers. On
Monday afternoon Of the Sth the prize.cre had
caicessly laid their arms about the deck, aud
} some of them had gone to sleep. 1t was at this
time that the Captain Of the Cuba became pos
sessed of the weapons, and recnptured his vessel.
The Captain notified the newcomers that he had
determined TO take charge Of his own vessel, and
ordered them aft, where two of them were put
in irons, and the other three secured with ropes,
as there were no more wrist bracelets on board.
Shortly afterwArd the Cuba fell in with the
Costa Rica, and the captain of the former vessel
not deemlng it prudent to have so many Of the
prYateersnien on board, transferred Spencer and
DAWSON to the Costa Rioa, aud they were brought
here rs above stated. The midshipman and the
two marines were kept oNboard the Cuba, which
was laden with cargo of sugar, and originally
bound for Londou, but is now shaping her course
for this port and is hourly expected to arrive.
Spencer and DAWSON were brought to the U. S.
Marshars office this morning, where they made
: statements substantially the same as above mar
rated. The necessary affidavit was made, aud
upon application to one of the U S. Commits
soners the prisoners were committed to await M
examination.
These men state that another priyateer is
fitting out at New Orleans.