New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-29
THE BRITISH PIRATE "39O,v ALIAS
THE ALABAMA, AND HER VIC.
TINS.
Arrival of the Crew. Of Captured whaIcrs.

T'o" Inc bostoh lTdrette7 2oA.
The bark Azor, Captain Jones, from Fayal Oct g.
arrived here this morning with the captains and
Of most Of the whnlers which had been burned
by the British pirate Alabama. We were particular
in our inquiries among the captains whether the
29O' and the Alabama were identical, and from
them all the answers received agreed that the $500
Is the Alabama, and no other vessel the stories
therefore, that the 1880 mad run the blockade at
Mobile are incorrect.
She is a British vessel with British register, is
manned by British crew, and is commanded BY
the infamous Semmes. Three of the other officers
are said to be Rebels. but Of this there was no
proof. The vessel is 900 feet long, 81 wide, has
two decks, and registers 40 tuns Brtsh messure-
ment. she is full.rigged bark, and her propeller
is arranged to be hoisted out Of water when she 10
not under steam.
Her armament consists of two 64s, four 32s, and
two rified pivot guns, one forward and the other
ait; but she has not lO00-pounder, has been
ported In the New.York papers. Under steam she
will 80 about II knots, and with whole sail breeze
going Free abe might make about the same rate
under canvas alone.
She is wooden vessel, apparently built in
hurry, and is not remarkably we'll found. Her crew
all told numbered ~ men, but did not appear to be
under much restraint. Any of our gunboats, If
properly handled, would blow her out of water.
Such is the opinion Of the men who have been on
board of her.
Capt. Osborne, of the ship Ocmulgee, informs rs
that bis ship was 40 miles west Of Pco, on Sept. g.
lying to, cutting in large whale, when the Ala
bama under British coiors, ranged alongside and
took possession of her. Capt. Semmes eaid that he
respected private property, but the thief, notwth-
standing this statement, stole all the watches, man
tical lnfruments, and everything Of value, whether
personal or belonging to the ship.
The crew were transferred to the Alabama, and
the captain and officers were placed in irons 50
hours. During this time the pirate, under canvas
alone, stood in toward Flores, and when near
enough sent all hands in the Ocmulgee's boats to
tud their way ashore. As before reported, the ship
plundered of sails provisions, &C., and then Get
on fire. She had 20 bbls. OF sperm oil on board
when she was captured.
The boats reached the shore in safety, and re-
ported subsequently, some Of che operations of the
pirate to the British ship CairDgorm, that our
Government might hear OF them as as possible.
On the 9th Of September, the pirate fell in with
the schooner Starlight, Capt. Dosne, within FIVE
miles of Flores. She was under canvas, and fred
thee times before the schooner hove TO- Capt Doane
had $3.50 IN specss ON tos-d which, with his watch
and nautical instruments, were appropriated BY
Semmes. Capt. Doane was put in irons, whore be
remained 10 hours. The schooner had "a passengers
on board, who, with himself and crew, were all
landed at Flores.
The bark Ocean Rover, Capt Clark, was captured
Sept o. and had 900 bbs. sperm oil on board at the
time. Like all the others, she wac set fire, and
the flames at night attracted the notice Of the
schooner Weather Guage, Capt. Small Of Province
tOWQ, WHICH uOWu W dtcis.duCt, euppCtmRy
of course, that she was in distress.
The arch-pirate Semmes if he had possessed any
of that chivalry which the Submissionsts attribute
to gentlemen of the South, would have appreciated
the motive which brought the schooner to the relief
of the burning wreck and would not only have let
her 90 free, but would have given her noble captain
three cheers for bis humanity.
But no. the same cruelty, the want Of sentiment
which burns negroes, has but little conception Of
noble deeds. She was plundered and burned Like
the others, She had no Oil on board at the time
The bark Alert Of New-London, Capt. Church,
was captured and burned Sept. g about Is miles
west OF Flores. She had about twenty barrels Of
oil on board aud her beats in pursuit OF whales
when the pirate took her,
Ship Benz. Tucker, Capt. Chlds, was captured
and burned Sept. -, 800 miles West of Flores She
had $50 barrels Of sperm oil on board. The Ala
bama ran back to Flores and landed her victims.
Brig Altanaha, Capt. Gray was destroyed 400
miles West Of Flores, and the schr. Courser, Capt.
Young, shared the same fate.
Such is brief record OF the damage done by this
British pirate. When Mr. Dsbney, our Consul at
Fayal, learned the facts, he brought the men TO
Fayal, and provided for them well.
Ten mates belonging TO the whalers sailed from
Fayal October for New Bedford IN The Portuguese
vessel Ecaso and will probably arrive there In q
day or two.
All the captains and officers with whom we have
conv ersed speak in high terms of the promptness
aud Kindness OF our Consul, Mr.. Dabney.
The pirate is supposed TO be working down in the
track of our home ward bound Indiamen; but
nothing can be known of her destination, for
Semmes like other pirates is not responsible TO any
one except the British Government, for his vessel
is British.