The New York herald., 1862-10-17
DESCRIPTION OF THE ALABAMA.
THE PIRATE CAPTAIN RAPHAEL SEMMEs
HOW HE RECEIVES VISITORS.

Fourteen Vessels Destroyed, Valued at
Over One Million Dollars,
ts.,. Ae., &ss
From Captain George Hagar, late Of the ship Brilliant
Of New York. which vessel, with many others has been
destroyed by the rebel pirate Alabama, we have the fol-
lowing exceedingly interesting particulars relative 70 the
operations OF the pirate description of the vessel and
IN account Of the in which Captain Semmes con-
ducts himself in the presence Of strangers.
Captain Hagar gives the following detailed report of
the capture and destruction Of his ship the Brilliant
also the reports OF Captain s. r. Ton, Of the whaling
bark Virginia, and Captain David R. Clifford, Of the
whaling bark Elisha Dunbar both of whose vessels have
fallen into the clutches Of Semmes and been destroyed
CAPTURE AND BURNING OF THE SHIP BRILLIANT.
Captain Hagar late OF the ship Brilliant reports that
he was from New York, bound to London on the morn
ing Of Oct g. In latitude 40, longitude 80 30 the wind
from northeast with large ship in company, about
mile to windward. Soon after steamer seen on the
weather bow, standing to the westward under SAIL The
steamer, nearing the ship to the wndward ran up
her peak the St. George cross, and in few minutes
after fred gun across her bow, at the same time
displaying the rebel flag The American colors were
set and the ship hove to- and boat from the steamer
went alongside. The steamer then wore round and
made sail for the Brilliant. We set our colors,
and, on the steamer nearing u.s. fred gun
across our stern, when we hove to. A boat
then sent alongside, with two officers and boats
crew. all armed, and their reaching the deck Of the
ship claimed her prize to the Confederate steamer
Alabama, Captain ssmmes with orders for me to 60 In
the boat 10 the steamer with all my ships papers.
On arriving board, after waiting while asked
In the cabin 70 have my papers examined The ship not
having any documents to prove that her cargo for
eign account the papers and cargo were confscated
then ordered board the ship 70 assist, with my
and boats removing such stores and cargo they
wanted for their use, and TO bring my officers and
srew with but small bag Of clothing each board the
steamer they would not be numbered up with bag
gage On arriving back the steamer with my crew. was
ordered the other which proved to be the ship
Emily FaYnham, Of Portsmouth, N H., Captain Simms
from New York for Liverpool This ship claimed as
prize and the captain board the steamer having
his papers examined. Documents being found among
them provo that his cargo English account his
ship was released.
On board the steamer were the captains officers and
crews ty -four in a Of the whaling barks Virginia and
Elisha Dunbar Of New Bedford, captured burned al
ssa Both these crews, with those OF the Brilliant,
nut ON board the Emily Farnham after being paroed
During tho remainder OF the day the steamers officers
and plundsring the Brilliant OF her cargo
stores aud everything they chose to take All Capt. Ha
gar private property such his chronometer sextant
barometer. charts, books, &C. and large part of his
clothing we're taken from him. the officers the steamer
claiming everything During the afternoon large ship
was in sight the southwark heading TO the eastward
and they had their eyes upon her. II nearly or
quite calm and continued 80 during the night At sunset
the Brilliant fred At seven p N. was in flames
fore and aft, the Emily Farnham lying about mile
from her. The ship continued To burn all night In the
morning the steamer close at hand and the ship
the afternoon before had worked up the burning wreck
during the night probably with the expectation OF saving
Me- but at daylight found herself in the clutches Of her
destroyer. continued calm nearly all day, and bat
hight air during the night Towards midnight bright
light in the direction Of the steamer and It
more than probable n was from the third ship.
Throc Of the crew Of the Brilliant (a Englishmen) VOL
unteered on the Alabama
The Emily Farnham continued on her voyage, but,
having tho ofncers and Of three burned vesse
(sixty eight n Al), besides her own, had not
enough On tho 9th Inst fell In with brig Golden Lead Of
Tnemaston, Captain Smith, who kindly consented 70 take
on board eight Of the number The remainder would be
put on board vessels - fallen in with.
Ths Brilliant was built by Samuel Hall, and launched at
EAss Boston November, 1890, $50 tons register
and with her freight and outfits, valued $50 oo0
and rated Al. She was owned by Messrs. j. Atkins &
Co., Of New York, and .ptan Hagar. All the property
Captain H. possessed in the ship and having the
war risk in his insurance. he has everything.
The Brilliant had no guns
The following list OF vessels burned BY the Alabama
since the middle Of August
Ship Brilliant, OF New York.
Whaling ship Ocmugee, Of Edgarsown.
Whaling ship Benjamin Tucker, Of New Bedford
Whaling bark Virginia, Of New Bedford.
Whaling bark Elisha Dunbar, Of New Bedford
whaling bark Ocean Rover, Of Mattaposett.
Brig Atanaha, Of Sippcan.
Schooner Courser, Of Provincetown.
Schooner wsather Gauge, Of Provncetown.
Schooner Starlight, Of Boston, and the ship unknown
One hundred and nnety-one prisoners were landed on
The Island Of Flores
CAPTURE AND BURNING OF THE BARK VIRGINIA.
Captain s. r. Ton, OF the late bark Virginia.
f New Bedford reports that on September H. when In
latitude 80 TO- longitude "a 90, at nine A. NJ sighted
sa, The weather bow steering for the Virginia. the
wind from the southwest the bark heading eastsouth-
east A. eleven she set the St. Georges cross, being
about two miles distant answering with colors
and backing my main yard thinking hcr 70 be English
steamer. When distant oncfeurth Of mile she set the
Confederate nag and boarded with an armed crew
saying was prize 70 the Confederate steamer Alabama,
and that must take my papers and 20 on board the
steamer After arriving there the captain asxod me
where was from, and how long out rst demanding my
papers Hc said 70 tho nrst lieutenant 70 20 on board
with mo, and allow me 10 take q small trunk and the
crew bag Of clothing After getting on board
everything being In confusion they hurried mo into nv
boat, with few clothes. and ordered me on board the
steamer again They hcn commenced taking the stores
ohronometer and I'll nautical Instruments In their Soas
and ~ four p. NJ they set nrs 20 the bark and IN .~o
hours she Was burned to the waters edge On arr,v,,.
boaDd the steamer the rst time asked the can,., 10
Scsase mo, a. was doing one any harm. His ansvor
~a. "You Northorncrs destroying our property ana
New Bedford people having their war neetines
ing two hundred dollars bounty volunteers and
out their stone feet 10 block mp harbors ana thai ha
vas going 70 retaatcv went on tho quarter deck w,,b