Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-11-06
THE PIRATE ALABAMA.
More of Her DepredatiOns on the Ocean

29lh ult, in latitude thrtynne degrees north
longitude sixty-nine degrees west, was captur
ed according to the report of Captain Sand
ers. by the British pirate Alabama. Captain
Semmes agreed to liberate the brig for BOND
of six thousand dollars, payable to the Presl'
dent of the Confederate States thirty days al
ter peace is declared. Captain Sanders gave
the bond and was then informed that be
must take as passengers the crews, numbering
forty-f in all, of several American vessels
which had been previously captured and burn
ed by the A Alabama. The crews were sent
On board the brig but extra provisions were
refused, and Captain Sanders bore away for
the nearest port to land them.
The following is the statement of Capt.
Harding, of the Bark Lamplghter {:
On the 18Th ult at daylight, in latitude
Al degrees thirty minutes north, longitude hf-
ty-nine degrees seventeen minutes west, wind
south, with thick weather, saw ship standing
to the southwark In half an hour the wealth
er cleared up little, and she altered her course
and stood across our bow with the British
flag flying. | then made her out to be steam
er. When within q mile he fred a gun, haul
ed down the British flag and ran up the Con
federate flag. | hove to, and he sent on board
and demanded my papers, and declared me
prize We were sent on board the steamer
| was allowed to take one trunk, and my Off.
GERS and crew one bag each. Captain Sem les
ordered his first lieutenant to go on board OF
the bark aud burn her immediately. | begged
him to save my ship but he replied, " | hope
to be able to serve you a damned sight worse
yet" They then went on board to burn my
I cd to nn
When we went iuto the cabin they asked for
liquor. | gave them all | had. They dram
some, and emptied the remainder on the floor
Then they took the oil cans out OF the locker,
and poured oil On the floor and then, al eight
o'clock in the morning, they set the vessel or
fire. We were then transferred to the steam
er and pat in irons and almost starved. The
pirate then continued to cruise under sail, but
with steam up, until she captured al! the
above vessels The crews were all pat in irons
as soon as captured. Those on b0ard of lite
AIabamn, had fall files Of he New YORK HER
AID ard pictoriat YoP@rs coatae"1Rg an account
Of the former capture Jy the Atabam@. Capt
IL was informed by the second lieutenant and
several Of the petty officers that their next
destination was New York, as they meant to
throw few shells into that city, Capt II.
represents the Alabama as very formidable,
but he does not think she is as fast as has been
reported. When he left her the crew were
mounting two large pivot guns one forward
aud the other aft lie thinks they were one
hundred Founders.
Captain Small of the ship Lafayette, reports
that when he was introduced to Captain
Semmes, he produced his British consular GER
tifcate, and remarked to Capt. Semmes that
be supposed that would be sufficient protection
Capt. Semmes replied -" The New York
people are getting very smart, but it wont
save you its all damned hatched up mess" !"
He then gave orders to burn the ship.
1t is evident that the Alabama intends a
raid upon our coast, if Mt dash into one
of oar narbors He may keep his promise
good and rnr into the harbor OF New York for
the purpose OF throwing few shot or shell
into the city 1t could be done, and it would
not be amss under any circumstance to be
ready for him should he venture bis head into
the lions mouth
He may be waiting for the California steam
er, for he is not far from their track ; and
would like nothing better than 10 fob a cool
million by way OF paying expenses. There is
no knowing what the rascal may be up to-
We may expect to hear OF almost anything
being done by him. and the probabilities are
that We shall have to recount almost daily,
now that he is on the coast, of vessels being
destroyed or bonded.
1t is his intention, beyond doubt, so make
himself and vessel terror to all merchantmen
carrying the flag of the United States aud
thus far his career has enabled him to carry
out bis views most thoroughly. Good fortune
may stop him, however Our cruisers may
stop him, and a reward for his head should
be offered, as in days of old ; for he cannot
be considered in any light but that of a pi-
rate Of the first water. The next few weeks
may put an eud to his present business, and it
is to be hoped by all that it will !; for it is a
shame upon US that this william is longer per
mtted to commit his raVages upon the high
seas with the greatest impuDity.