The Portland daily press., 1862-12-29
Capture Of the Ariel by the Alabama
The Ariel Relieved of her Arms and Am
munition.
U. s. Officers Disarmed and Paroled.
Bonds Given and the Steamer Re.
leased.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. ~.
BY the arrival at this port of steamship Con-
sttution from Panama, we have highly impor-
tant and exciting news. The Constitution re-
ports that the steamship Ariel, from New York
Tor Aspinwall, was captured on the 7th inst.
by the pirate Alabama. The Alabama de-
tained the Ariel until the 10th inst, when she
allowed her to proceed towards Aspinwall.
upon her giving bonds in the sum of S22S, 600
as ransom. The arms and ammunition on
board the Ariel were taken from her, and 12O
marines, who were on board, were paroled.
Much anxiety is felt here lest the Ariel, on
her return trip to New York, should be over
hauled, and the large amount of specie which
she will carry, be captured The passengers
on board the Ariel spoke in the highest terms
ofthe courtesy shown by Capt. Semmes. The
Ariel was captured near the east end of Cuba.
The only plunder, with the exception of the
arms and ammunition, was 5000 i'm "green-
backs" belonging to Wells, Fargo & Co.
The Alabama last coaled at Martinique
When leaving that port the U. S. steamer San
Jacinto aimed her guns at her, when simulta-
neously the guns of the fort were turned upon
the San Jacinto. This Is the statement of the
1st Lit. of Capt. Semmes.
The Alabama claims speed under % lbs.
Of steam OF 10 knots an hour. She overlook
the Ariel with only IL pounds of steam and
fired two guns at her, when she hove to.
Capt. Semmes first intended to destroy the
Ariel by burning her, first putting the passen-
gers ashore in little settlement huts at st. Do
mingo. Capt. Jones, Of the Ariel, protested
that half of his passengers would die if this was
done. Capt Semmes then proposed to land
the passengers at Kingston, but after much
parleying an arrangement was effected to re-
lease the Ariel, on Capt. Jones giving bonds
in the sum of $22S,00O payable in 80 days af-
ter the acknowledgement of the Southern
Confederacy.
PANAMA, Dec. Is.
The steamship Ariel reached Aspinwal on
Friday night, 18th inst, having been overhaul
ed by the Alabama on the 7th inst. Off east
end of Cuba, and taken to Jamaica The
Ariel was detained for two and half days and
then released, after her captors taking out s12,-
600 in specie or freight for Nicaragua, the
property of two Southern men, and some
boots and shoes. The officers of the Alabama
also made prisoner OF and dsarmed Capt. Sar-
tori, of the U. S. Navy, who was coming out
to take command OF the Cyanne, Capt. Gar
land, OF the marine corps, en- route for Mase
Island, Cal, and some other U. s. officers. and
140 marines. and after taking all their equip
ments, including their side arms, they released
them on parole.
The passengers denounce their treatment
aid accommodation on the Ariel as most
abominable and dsgraceful, and would gladly
have seen her burnt had there been any other
way of reaching their destination.
1t appears that Capt. Senlnes was looking
out for the steamship Champion when he fell
in with the Ariel. Before taking the Ariel
Capt. Semmes fired blank cartridge at her
and afterwards shell, which struck her fore
mast, nearly cutting it in two. The people
Of the North can form their own ideas as to
the precautions hitherto taken to protect Cali
fornia interests by the Government