The Shasta courier., 1861-09-07
Tho Perils of Privateering.

Tho Perils of Privateering.
| THE PERILs OF THE PErREL-How THE CRAFT
CANE TO ENGAGE THE ST. LAwRENcE.
We copy from the Philadelphia Press, O,
| the 9Th, some particulars of the late engage.
ment off Charleston, between the U. S. fri
gate St. Lawrence and priyateer Aiken. The
officers of the st. Lawrence wisely Judged
that many privateersmen would not know
her true character, and, to still further con-
ceal her armament and object, the port holes
were kept closed and the men put out of sight.
She cruised for month along the Atlantic
coast between Cape Henry and Savannah. and
on the morning of the first of August, while
just outside the harbor of Charleston, espied
a long rakish schooner, filled with men, and
mounting three or four guns, sailing rapidly
| down upon her. The portfolios were still
shut but the flag was at the peak, and the st.
Lawrence looked not unlike great lumber
| ly merchantmen becalmed in a strnge lati.
tude, 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.
l1s tuc CdLue uOWu TUE OF. Law
renee hoisted all sail and affected to be anx-
ious to get out to sea. In reality, however,
she was edging closer in to shore, and max
ing arrangements below to receive the reck-
less visitor with appropriate largess. Direct
lly shot came skipping over the water, fall
ing into the sea few rods ahead of the frig-
ate, and a number followed in quick success
sion, but nearly all either striking beyond
or passing over. The final discharge consis-
ted of grape and canister, which made some
little dalliance with the frigate's rigging,
and admonished the commander that the
play was growing serious.
At this time the vessels were within speak
ing distance, and man in uniform was seen
mounted on the pirates deck, who shouted
to the st. Lawrence to lay to and send over
| boat. The crew were distinctly seen -four
ishing their cutlasses and the gunners ram
ming and pointing their guns. She carried
three guns supposed to be ri1ed cannon.
Then the st. Lawrence threw up her ports
and disclosed whole broadside Of cannon,
with the gunners at the breech of the guns,
holding lighted fuses, and directly the broad
decks were filled with seamen in blue jack
cts, armed with muskets, who sprang into
shrouds and ran out on the yards, lying
prone in the maintop, on the bowsprit, on
the forecastle, and at every point where aim
| could be taken with advantage. In a word,
the ugly merchantmen was metamorphosed
into bristling war ship, with man at ey-
cry point, and broadside of cannon looking
into the very eyes of the pirate.
| The latter taken aback, recoiled 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 schooner
into pieces, and opening CULTS into which the
water rushed as through sluices, filling the
hold and admonishing the rebels that their
sole hopes of life lay 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
overheard. and the rest, launching the life
boat, jumped in and held up a white hand.
kerchief as a sign of surrender.
| But one man had an opportunity to 20
down into the cabin for his pi operty, and he
was the lieutenant, a fellow named Harvey,
formerly midshipman in the U. S. service,
under the command of Capt. Sartori. IIar.
vey recovered his trunk
The St. Lawrence still continued the fire
with small arms, but directing their aim al
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
and went under, carrying down four men
one of whom, named Carpenter, was a former
Philadelphian, living in Southwark.
The officers of the St. Lawrence now dis
covered the life boat, and the flag of humili
alton. They dropped boat and made ou
to the rebels, and finally PASSED them Of
board ship, where they were ironed as fast al
received, and securely confined below.
In the engagement the st. Lawrence re
ceived two shots-one in the foresail, the 9th
er in the quarterback. She transferred hel
prisoners to the Fag on Sunday morning, ant
they were Immediately brought to this port
The Petrol was formerly the Gen. Aiken,
revenue cutter, and was siezed in Charleston
harbor after the surrender of Fort Sumter
She has proved grave, mayhap for some o
the very men who seized her and may ever.
Federal vessel that treason has appropriated
likewise be its hammock and coffin.
Among the crew is boy named Schefer
a resident of Philadelphia, who recent,
went to Charleston on visit. He was seizet
with an attack ef chills and fever, and place.
in the hospital, whence he was carried to tn
rebel craft and impressed into service, al
though unable to perform any physical labor
He has suffered exceedingly since the engage
ment, and has been kindly cared for. Th
officers on board the Flag informed us tha
the boy had an uncle in Philadelphia. resid
ing on Fourth street, near Vine. While il
this city he was employed at restauran
near Fairmount.
The pirates are generally Irishmen b.
birth, have behaved very well while OF
board, and have given the officers no troubl
during their passage to this city. They wer
poorly dressed, and appeared to have no re
gular uniform. They were confed on tn,
gun deck, and when we left were being hea
vily ironed. They will be confined to Moy
amensing prison this morning, to await tn,
action of the proper authorities. They ex
pressed no solicitude as to their fate, and sale
they had merely Joined the crew for the SAX,
of getting work. Their countenances wer,
indicative of ferocious dispositions, however
and as far as appearances were concerned
they were admirably fitted for their nefariou:
business.
Ike GOES FOR SoLDrER.-Mrs. Partinptor
makes farewell addresf-['.I Ike, my son
stand up while dress you-hold nv bone
and skecks' =" Fellow Soldier: 1t is the
abandoned duty of all to be patriarchal in
these times and IN hand do1rn ~ ,ox,,:..3 ) ~