Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-09-19
Daring Naval Adventure.

1t was early on q summer morning, during the
progress of tho late war with Great Britain, that
young naval officer, walking on the Battery at
New York had his attention drawn 10 group
of persons earnestly engaged watching two ves-
ses that were just visible down the barbor.
What is il, my friends ?" he asked, in a frank,
hearty tone, as he joined them
"The tender, again chasing in schooner,
sir, answered an old tar, touching the point Of
bis bat, be noticed the anchor button on the
officers cont.
:" Here is a spy glass, sir" said masters
mate who stood near al the same time respect.
fully handing it to him.
Thank you, my man." answered the ieuten-
ant with a smile, as be took the instrument and
placed it TO bis eye.
BY its aid he could clearly distinguish an
armed schooner Of about ninety tons, crowding
sail in chase of a trading " fore and after" that
was making every exertion to escape, both by
towing and wetting her sails
The chase is about half mile ahead, sir"
said the masters mate but the tender sails
like u shark in chase of dolphin. The fore
and after don's stand any chance of getting in
past the fort"
ought to know it," said a stout, weather. beaten
man. "She was pilot boat, and the fastest
craft that ever danced over the water. Three
weeks ago, and my crew were out in her, when
yon English frigate suddenly made her appear
ance out of fog bank, aud brought'us to- But
took to my yawl aud pulled for the land q
league away, and csc aped for the fog was so
thick that the Englishman could not get glimpse
Of me. 1t is my schooner they have turned into
euder sir, and that has made SO many captures
in the last three weeks of our coasters"
"She carries forty men and a long thirty-two,
as hear" observed n seaman in the group
"Aud is commanded by luf and REFER"
added the masters mate.
&" 1t would be q blessing" observed a man of
wars man, who bad not yet spoken, il that craft
could be caught mapping. 1t amt safe for q
slOop to put her nose out of the harbor, beyond
the cape hut while the frigate was there alone.
they could slip along the coast in light water,
and show her their heels. But now, every thing
that ventures out is brought to by the long gun
Of the tender"
That's fact, Ben," responded another sea
man. "Sho has taken or driven back in port
nc less than twenty six crafts in the last three
weeks. | shall be glad for once, when our frigate
laying off there gets her armament on board !;
for then think we will swallow the English
trgae outside, and then pick our teeth with the
tender"
All these remarks were heard by the young
officer, who all the while continued to look
through the spy glass Mt the tender and her chase
"There goes guu!" cried several of the
I II
/ the tenders bows.
That's bold enough observed the young
officer, as if speaking his thoughts aloud the
/ mpudcnt tender is almost up to the fort. and
darcs to fire at the chase in The very face Of the
batteries"
"I,'s only to try and do her mischief" said
the masters mate 1" for she finds the fore and
after will escape her, and she fires a gun to cut
away something"
" You are right, my man," responded the of
icer, for she has put about and stands seaward
again"
lie continued to watch retiring tender for
some moments in silence.
It's a pity we hadn't an armed cutter in port
that would sail faster than she can, so that we
might give her q chase out ;" said lad approach
ing the group. His dress was that of midship-
man, and his air singulary free and careless.
"Ah Frank. you are here ~ said the lieuten-
ant. "Come aside with me-" said be, putting
his arm in that of the midsbipman. have
conceived plan for capturing the tender"
{" In what way, sir ~ demanded the youth.
81 will show you. The tenders game appears
to be the coasting vessels, from which she takes
men to impress in the British navy, and also
plumbers the craft OF such things as they contain
which are of any value. My plan is to charter
an old sloOp, the worst looking one that it is
possible to find in port, yet tolerable sailer for
she must work we'll and readily obey her helm.
| will load her decks with hen coops filed with
poultry, pens crammcd with pigs, few ebeep,
and q calf or two by way of variety. You
laugh, Frank, but the commander OF the tender
will find it no laughing matter il succeed as
anticipate. shall ship about thrty-fve men,
and conceal them in the hold and taking com
mand Of my craft, with ono hand only visible
on deck, shall set sail out Of the harbor. When
| get outside, shall show John Bull Yankee
trick he will not likely forget very soon. But
oil xuil dnnanH Dnn mo nf ~
the affair. Now you see what would be at,
Frank viii you join me?'
"ueart and hand, sir" replied Frank Talbot,
with enthusiasm.
"Now we must proceed at once to sctiou;''
said the lieutenant. want you to go TO the
Anchor RENDEZVOUS, in Pearl street, and drum up
about five and thirty men. Take only those who
are daring and ready for anything. Let none
Of them know your object, lest we should be
betrayed by information being conveyed to the
tender You will find enough in these times that
will ask no questions. Meet me at twelve o'clock
at the Exchange reading rooms, and report to
me-"
The midshipman then took bis leave and has.
tened up the Battery, The Lieutenant returned
to the group, aud taking aside the masters mate
whom be knew, be laid briefly before him his
project. The old tar entered into it with all
zeal. Together they went TO the docks where
on account Of the blockade, lay idle q large
number Of vessels of every description. They
were not very long in discovering such craft
as suited them Hudson sloop OF about sew
enty tons. She was Immediately put in trim
! for sailing by the masters mate and three OF
four men whom be employed, while the officer
! proceeded to buy up aud send on board his live
/ stock
! The morning following these events, the ten
der Of the British Frigate was standing of anC
/ On under easy sail, and close ia with Sandy Hook
| The wind was from The South, and blowing abou
a fvc-knot breeze. The tky was without cloud
and only gentle undulation lifted the surface
Of the ocean. The tender was clipper bull
vessel, very Narrow in the beam, and CONSTRUCTED
wholly with an eye TO her fast sailing qualities
and she gave proof Of them by overhaulinl
everything. She carried amidshps a long thirty
two pounder. Her crew consisted Of about thir
| tu MN In, il,n ,,niflrnn ~ iI,o nniIirh .,nuu