The New York herald., 1862-12-31
THE ALABAMA AGAIN.
The Aspinwall Steamers Ocean Queen,
America and Champion in Danger.
OTHER PIRATES ABROAD on The OCEAN.
Another Vessel Burned ON the
Atlantic,


fhe pirate Alabama Is again the track of the Caior
mia steamers On the 10th instant Captain crowe, in
the schooner Julie, while route from Sayannaa Mar
passed through Ccos Passage wndward Islands, Of the
West Indes-ihe regular rone Of the California steam
ers--n company with bark rugged propeller, painted
black, and having short topgaan mass, but whouttop
gallant yards across. This, without doubt, was the
Aabama for it answers her description entirely and
already have information that the 9shsix days be-
ore-Captan Scmmes, from Information received from
vessel that he had boarded of Point Moran, Jamaica,
concluded TO lei the Ariel proceed her voyage while he
went in an opposite direction Consequently, having
transacted the little business he had in hand he doubtless
took up his station this Passage TO overhaul the Ocean
Queen aud America, both OF which he, without doubt
knew due at that point within few hours Of the
time the above described vessel in the passage
WHEN THE OCEAN QUEEN AND AMERICA SAILED.
The Ocean Queen and America both sailed about the
same time from New York, the I1h instant and pro
cecded in company southwark along the regular track
the California steamers their commanders being, of
course entirely ignorant Of the capture OF the ARIEL and
therefore not OF any just for devatng from
their regular path The voyage from New York to oacos
Passage rarely exceeds I've days. Therefore both vessels
should have passed through the 10th at the latest
The Alabama there on the lsh to be in time. and
she has really captured the steamers their value
viii have paid him for waiting.
WHEN THE cHAMPIoN SAILED AND HER DANGER.
The steamer Champion LETT New York ON the
ed instant, i've days before the tscgrsphic
news Of the capture Of tho ARIEL reached this
city. The commander Of this vessel, being likewise
ignorant Of the operations OF the Alabama woad
take the route as his predecessors and dou tess
semmes he captured the other two, wonld also
wait for the champion be would bc almost certain
that the news could reach washington in time for
even more active man than Secretary weIlss 70 de-
spatch vessels upon the track. Thus there is q
strong probability that this vessel has also before this
time fallen prey TO the pirate.
BUT WHAT rs THE GOVERNMENT DoN0 IN THE
NATTER
This question that every win doubtless ask OF
himself, II he does not make the inquiry Of his
neighsor. What do we hndS On the application OF
Senator Latham, Of California, the Navy Department
dered the armed Connecticut leave Hampton
Reads for Aspnwal TO bring 10 New York oil the trea
at that place from the Pacific coast. But when
On the lst Of January next-that Is tomorrow. And
Commodore Vanderbilt also yesterday put forth the fol-
lowing circular relative 70 the protection TO DO afforded
coSsrGSEEs OF CALIFORNIA GOLD.
No. BowtisG GREEs, Dec. 90, 1862.
BY telegraphic despatch received this day from the
Hon. Gideon Wees. Secretary " the Navy, I'D
viscd that a convoy for each Of the homeward bound
steamers Of the California line has been promptly
dered, in accordance with the proposition which had
been submitted 10 the government by me, and have
doubt that the security thus amply provided will be
entirely satisfactory 90 parties Immediately Interested
and that will meet with the appreciation of the public
generally c. VANDERBILT.
The above action OF Secretary wees would be very
good II IL did happen that IL little late
As far the Alabama concerned R she has done any.
thing the whole four steamers this have been cap
ured and bonded perhaps the sast three that sailed
may have bccn burned Who knows Certainly not
Secretary welles The United States gunboat Conncc
tcut Is sail 70 morrow while IL Is well known the
Champion, the last Of the four, II taken at all, would
have been captured last saturday The story Of locking
the stable after the horse has been stolen here verified
10 the letter The naval secretarys action may be all
very well for the future but regards tho four vessels
Ariel, Ocean Queen America and Champon-n IL Ger
tanly few days too late. One thing Is very certain
neither Captain scmmcs NOR the Alabama will stay long
enough in that any other place TO be caught by single
gunboat
SKETCH OF TuE OCEAN QUEEN.
The OCEAN Queen Il . nne side-whoel steamer of the
Vanderbilt line, TIVE thousand eight hundred
burthcn, and rated Ak at Lloyds. She was built in
New York BY westervct &'hsckay In 1867, and Is cen
structed OF oak, copper and iron fastened She has
three decks draws sixteen feet OF water and was met.
aed In July, 1858. Her engine s known by the title Of
vertical bcam with cylinder Of ninety nine inches In
diameter and the length OF stroke OF the piston rod Is
twelve feet She has good security against nre and
also one independent fire pump but Of these pre-
cautions would be OF avail II tho Alabama chose 10
burn the ship. She In three hundred and twenty.
seven feet long. forttwo feet beam, and twenty
Two feet deep. She OF . medium model, brig
rgged, and has four wasertight bulkheads she
vas last suryeyed In this city February Ie0I bslonsa