Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-09-21

Fate of PrivRtecr--Thc Petrol Sunk by
the u. ~. Erignte ~. Lawrence.

The Philadelphia Press gives some interesting
particulars of the late engagement, off Charleston,
between the U. S. frigate 81. La,orcnce and the
privateer Petrel formerly the revenue cutter Gen.
aiken
The officers of the st. Lawrence wisely calcu-
lated that many privateersmen would not know
her true character, and to fully conceal her ar
mament and object, the portfolios were kept
closed and her men put out of sight. She crused
! for a month along the Atlantic coast between
Cape Henry and Savannah. and on the morning
of the first of August, while Just outside OF the
| harbor of Charleston, espied long rakish schoo.
ner lllled with men, and mounting three or four
guns, sailing rapidly down upon her The port
holes were still shut, but the flag at the peak.
and the 50. LdVrence looked not unlike n great
| lumberly merchantmen becamed in strange
latitude, and too unwieldy for any purpose save
| the holding of big cargo for the avarice of an
enemy to court and daring privateer to secure
AS the stranger came down, the frigate hoisted
all sail and atlec ted to be anxious to get out to
sea. In reality, however, she was edgng closer
in to shore, and making arrangements below ia
receive the reckless visitors with appropriate
| largcss. Directly shot came skipping over the
water, falling into the sea few rods ahead of
| the frigate, and number followed in quick sue
cession, but nearly all either striking beyond or
passing over. The final discharge consisted of
| grape and canister, which made some little dal-
lance with the frigate rigging, and admonished
the commander that the play was growing seri-
GUS At this time the vessels were within speak
ing distance, and a man in uniform was mounted
upon the pirates deck who shouted to the irigate
to " lay-to and send over boat" The crew
were distinctly seen llourishng their cutlasses,
and the gunncrs rammng and pointing their
guns She carried three guns supposed to be
ried ordnance.
Then the 81 Laurence threw up her ports and
disclosed a whole broddside of cannon, with the
gunners at the breech of the guns, holding light
ed fuses and directly the broad decks were filled
with seamen in blue Jackets, armed with muskets,
who sprang the shrouds aud ran out on the yards
living prone in the maintop, on bowsprit in fore
castle, and at every point where aim could bC
taken with advantage. In word the ugly
merchantmen was metamorphosed into brlstline
war ship, with man at every point and IA broad
side of cannon looking into the very eyes of The
pirates The latter taken aback recoiled mo
ment but before they had time for action, ever
for thought the guns beched forth iron and fire
| splintering the mass, cutting the rigging and
sails as with knives, breaking the spars and the
booms and literally carving the schooner into
pieces and opening gulfs into which the waters
rushed as through sluccs, dling the hold and
admonshing the rebels that their sole hope OF
life Law in the ships boat or wrestling with the
sea- The fire still continued and the water was
full of driftwood. Many of the men jumped over
board, and the rest, launching the life boat
jumped in and held up white handkerchief rs
! sign of surrender. But one man had an Oppor
tunity to 60 down into the cabin for his property
and he was the Lieutenant, a fellow named lIsr
vey, formerly mdshi pman in the u. S. service
under command of Capt. Sartori. Harvey recov
cred his trunk.
| The 81 Laurence still continued the fire will
small arms but directing the 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 the first gun, the
vessel swayed heavily aud went under, carrying
down four men, one of whom, named Carpenter,
was former Philadcl phian living in Southwark
The officers of the 81. Laurence now discovered
the life boat and the flag of humiliation. They
dropped boat and made out to the rebels, and
finally passed them on board the ship, where they
were roned as fast received, and securely
confined below. In the engagement the 81. LaiO-
renee received two shots-One in the lorsai, the
other in the quarter deck. She transferred her
prisoners to the Flag on Sunday morning, and
they were at once brought to this port.