The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-08-23
The Destruction of the Petrol,

The untimely end Of the rebel privateer
Petrel-formerly the [. S. revenue cutter Al
ken. taken possession ofby the rebels at Char
lesion last tNovember-5y being blown to pie
ces by the guns Of the L. S. Frigate St Law
renee, which was mistaken for merchant
man off Charleston Harbor. is thus related
by the Philadelphia Press of the Sth inst:
As the stranger came down, the St Law
renee hoisted all sail and affected to be anx-
ious TO get out to sea. In reality, however,
She was ed sing closer in TO shore and making
arrangements below TO receive the reckless
visitor with appropriate largeness Directly
shot came skipping over the water, falling
INTO the sea few rods ahead of the frigate,
and number followed it in quick succession,
but nearly all either striking beyond or pass
ing over. The final discharge consisted of
grape and canister, which made some little
dalllance with the trigate's rigging, and ad-
monished the commander that the play was
growing serious
NJ this time the vessels were within speak
ing distance. and a man in uniform was seen
mounted upon the pirates deck, who shout
ed 10 the st Lawrence 70 lay 10 and send
over boat. The crew were distinctly see.
tourishing their cutlasses and the gunners
ramming ana pointing their guns. She car
Tled three guns, supposed 10 be rified cannon.
Then the 81 Lawrence threw un her ports
and disclosed whole broaiside of cannon.
with the gunnerS at the breech OF the guns.
holding lighted fuses, and directly the broad
decks were filled with seanlen in blue Jackets
armed with muSkets, who sprang into the
shrouts and ran out on the wards, living prone
IN the maln,op, on the bowsprit. in the fore
castle. and at every point where aim could
be taken with advantage
In WORD, the ugly merchantmen. was
metamoiphosed into a bristling war ship.with
4 man at every point and broadside OF cam
non looking into the eyes of the pirates. The
latter taken aoacS, reco;!ed moment; but
before they had time for action. even for
thought, the guns belched forth iron and fire.
>phnierng the masts. cu,tiss the rigging
and the sails as with knives, breaking the
soarS and the booms, and literally carving
the schooner into pieces, and orca;ny gulfs
INTO when the waters rushed, As through
sluices. filling the hold, and admonishing the
rebel that their sole hopes of life Law in the
ships boat or III wrestling with the sea.
The fire still continued, and the water was
full of drftwood. Many of the men iumpeI
overheard, and the rest. launched the life
boat. jumped in and held up q white flag as
a sign of surrender.
lAe 81 Lawrence still continued the fire
with small arms, bat directing their aim a,
'he hulk and not at the small boat, the crew.
excepting four men, w,re not Injured. Inten
minutes from the discharge of her first gun.
the vessel swayed heavily and went under.
carrying down four men, one Of whom, named
Carpenter, was a former Philadelphian, liy-
ing in Southwark.
lhe officers Of the ST Lawrence now dis
covered the life boat and the flag of humilia
ton. They dropped boat and made out 70
the rebels, ard finally passed them on board
SHIP where they Were ironed as fast as re-
celsed, and securely confined below.
Ihe 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. a
North Carolinian. The officers and crew
numbered 81.