Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-29
The California Steamer Ariel Captured
by the Pirate Alabama.

The California Steamer Ariel Captured
by the Pirate Alabama.
SAN Francisco, Dec. 27.-By the arrival at
this port to-day of the steamship Constitution
from Panama, we have highly important and
exciting news. The Constitution reports that
the steamship Ariel, from New York for Aspin-
wall, was captured on the 7th inst by the pirate
Alabama. The Alabama detained the Ariel I'M
til the 10th inst, when she allowed her to pro-
ceed toward Aspinwall upon her giving bonds
in the sum of S22S,00O as a ransom. The arms
and ammunition on board the Ariel were taken
from her, and one hundred and twenty marines
who were on board were paroled.
Much anxiety is felt here lest the Alabama
should recapture the Ariel on her return trip to
New York and seize the large amount of treas
ure which she will carry. The passengers on
board of the Ariel spoke in the highest terms of
the courtesy shown them by Capt. Semmes
The Ariel was captured near the east end of
Cuba. The only PLUMBER with the exception of
the arms and ammunition, that the Alabama Sc
cured was $4,000 in "greenbacks" belonging to
Messrs. Wells, Fargo & Co.
The Alabama last coaled at Martinique. When
leaving that port the United States steamer San
Jacinto aimed her guns at her, when simultane-
ousy the guns of the fo,ts were turned on the
San Jacinto. This is the statement of the first
lieutenant of Captain Semmes The Alabama
claims speed under twenty-five pounds of steam
OF sixteen knots per hour. She overlook the
ARIEL with only eleven 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 a little settlement of huts at San
Domingo. Capt Jones, of the Ariel, protested
that half of his passengers would die if this were
done. Capt. Semmes then proposed to land the
passengers at Kingston: but, after much parley.
ing, an arrangement was effected to release the
ARIEL A on Capt. Jones giving bonds in the sum of
S22S0OO, payable in thirty days after the &C.
acknowledgement CT the southern confederacv
NEW York. Dec. 27.-The steamship Ariel
mas arrived here. The news of her capture and
release by the Alabama, as was stated in the San
Francisco dispatch, is fully confirmed
PANAMA, Dec, 15.-The steamship Ariel reached
Asplnwall on Friday night, Dee 18th, having
been overhaued by the Alabama on the 7th inst,
off the east end of Cuba, and taken TO Jamaica,
The Ariel was detained for two and a half DAYS
and then released after her captors had taken
out Sl20,0O0 in specie on freight for Nicaragua
tue properly of TWO southern men, and some
boots and shoes The officers of the Alabama
also made prisoners and disarmed Capt. Sartor,
U 5. N, who was coming out to take command
OF the Cyanne, Capt. Garland of the marine
corps, Ell route for Mare Island, California and
some other United States officers and one hum
dred and forty marines; and, after taking all
their equipments, including side-arms released
Them on parole. Capt. Sartori and one or two of
the officers returned to the United States on the
Ariel by order of admiral Bell Capt Garland
anu MS marines have proceeded 10 Mare Island.
Inc Officers and passengers of the Ariel gener-
ally speak in the highest terms of the treatment
and consideration they received from the officers
OF the Alabama. 1t was at first contemplated by
Capt Semmes to burn the Ariel, but in consider
ton of the helpless women and children on
board, he allowed her to proceed on her voyage
after taking bonds from Capt. Jones for S260,00O,
The passengers denounce their treatment and ac-
commodations on the Ariel as most abominable
and disgracetul, and would gla lily have seen her
burnt had there been any other way of reaching
their destination. 1t appears that Capt Semmes
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 shells, one of which struck
her foremost, nearly cutting it in two People
IN the north can form their own ideas as to the
precautions hitherto taken to protect California
interests by the government