Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-06-02
TIE EMILY at PIERRE.


The CAPrAIs's STATEMENT OF HER RToAPrURE
The English papers give some highly interesting par
tcusrs of the recapure, by three men, of the British
ship Emily St. Pierre from her Yankee captors 1t seems
that przs master, assistant, and crew. numbering six
in ell took possession OF the St. Pierre, the crew
which were transferred to the James Adger, with the
exception Of the captain, steward and cook. All, or
nearly ALL Of the prize crew were marines, and it Wssfor
this that Captain Wilson, his steward, and cock
retained board the captured ship so that they
might assist in navigating her to port. The following is
the captains account Of the bold strasgem by which be
regained possession Of bis vessel
The Captain states that the moment he aware Of
the intention OF leaving him on board the Emily 81
Pierre, he to the determination that the vessel
should be taken Philadelphia, and resolved that
he would recapure her, If practicable, and bring her
into British port He inquired OF the cook and stew
ard whether they would assist him in his efforts 70 re-
take her one of them at consented 10 do go but
the other delberated upon his conduct. Afterwards,
however, be also agreed assist the master The Gap
tain turned in his mind the best means OF sfso-
ing his ec and soon came 10 conclusion Cs to the
best to be adopted u the emergency The prize
masters mate asleep in the cabin on the morniDg
of the second day after the capture, and he determined
to secure him in the first instance The cook and stew
ard were armed and instructed by Capt. Wilson
of the they Sdopt Some cloth was thrown
this officers head; his arms were secured by
Captain Wilson, and irons placed upon his hands;
| and he was also prevented from creating any
| alarm by u gag being placed in his mouth. Capt.
Wilson returned to the deck, and in familiar
manner iuqrired from the master of the prize
crew. swell Stone wha. is the position Of the ship?-
The officer replied that they somewhere eff HATTIE
ras and were about to change the The captain
inys Lieutenant Stone into the cabin to prick upon the
chart the vessels position Lieut. S one accompanied
the captain into the cabin the door closed and the
cook and steward being also present. Capt Wilson drew
blaying pin-he dd not take pistol, as he was snE-
ous to prevent any roise being creatsdald demanded
that Lieut.. Stone should quietly consent TO pair OF
irons being placed upon bis hands In the presence OF
such force the officer compelled to submit to being
placed in ros aud also to gag being inserted in his
mouth. The master prizeman being then secured IN bis
cabin Capt. Wilson returned on deck, where he me-
three of the prize crew, and being very powerful
fellow he was doubtful as to his treatment OF these men,
who we're STILL in with the rest OF the crew, IN
ignorance OF the proceeding below. Captain Wilson 8
| ready wit however, coon suggested an expedient lie
ordered them 10 go att and get out OF scuue coil OF
rigging Of which Lieut. Stone wGs represented as beng
in need The three men, suspectng nothing entered the
scuttle but As they we're within, the hatch
YES placed the egress, and they were thus mpris
oned. In the meantime the torecasta door had been
fastened up, ard in this manner the whole OF the watch
below was prevented from taking any part in the STRAY
Still the other Of the priz, crew we're Unconscious
OF VIA. going forward, and the captain sent for
ward one Of bis ask whether they would assist il
a,vgatirg the ship to Bitish port as he wss deter.
mined thst she should go to Philadelphia. One man
consented 20 assist him, Others who refused were placed
with the Other three men in the scu.;e After the mel
on deck had been disposed OF in this manner the watch
below were brought Of the terecsste one by one,
and INTERCEPTED TO whether not they would assist
Capt Wilson in navigating the vessel Three consented
the whole this course but only one Of these was
sailor the others being landsnep. Iu the course of
few days however two of the przsmen expresst
their willingness to assist Clpt. Wilson but one oil the
men WAS afterwards col fined in consequence Of voerc
With this slender crew, Capt Wilson was compelled 10
navigate his ship to Liverpool and in the course OF the
voyage encountered furious gae, which broke the til.
er But 10 this emergency also the ingenuity OF Capt
Wilson was equal 10 the occasion; the serious defect
vas remeded and the vessel safely brought 10 Liv
| erpool