The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1863-03-20
Escape of the Sumter from Gih-alter.
From Tue Gib?aiter Chronicle,Ceb I.


From Tue Gibsalter Caroaicle,-Teb. I.
"The Sumter has gotaNsv a, last" was
very generally the frs. remark that struck
the ear Of those who went into the main
street this noruing-aud, true enough,
her place IN the anchorage knew her 40
more. Tae evasion took place, il is said,
AZ l 2 O'clock yesterday evening in the
dark interval between sunset aud the rs~
ing Of the moon When tie Sumter was
sold by auction, some ssme ago, it was un
derstood tbat the government of tie Uni-
ted States would no. recognize the sale.
Parties who had Leen previously in
treaty for the steamer Withdrew on this fact;
and she was knocGed down al the auction
TO gentleman seat from Ennland to pnr>
chase hsr. This person was the envoy Of
a Liverpool firm who were lhe financial
agents of.he confederate government, anI.
the federal government, coming 10 tie
va.y natural conclusion that the Sumter
had been purchased, either on account Of
the confederate government, Oh as a pri-
va.e speculation, for the purpose Of being
freigh;e0 with D cargo to run the block
a1e, Instructed the commanders Of their
cruisers to keep the most si4iaut watch
upon tbs Slmter. and seize he's should she
pun TO sea.
The United States gunjoat Chippewa
has for the last month OF two been IS
vatchtu! As o lynx, cruising at the en
! trance Of the Bsy, and never losing sight
Of the Sumter, The consequence was
that the latter dare not make tie attempt
to get to sea, even during the long moon
less nights Of las. month Blu: a con
jGncture of circumstances that promised
success to the attempt occure,! yesterday,
and the Sumter took advantage of the op
porsuuity. A hard southeast gale com
PEELED the Chippewa to leave the Danger
Gus anchorage AZ Alge>iras, where heavy
surf rolls on dead lee shore, aud to take
refuge in Orange Grove Creek, at the head
| Of he Bay.
Instead of the two steamers leaving
their anchorage abreast in race for the
straits, this move gave the Sumter couple
of mies start, her anchorage being Sc
much nearer the entrance of the Bay.
The eas:eriy gaze favored the Sumter in
in other ways. She is light and goes well
under canvas, but cannot trust her ma
chnerv, and, with the MD Of tie gale
nster:i would probably have forereached
npon the Chippewa if her departure hst
been discovered and she hal been CHASED
Bat The strength Of the gale, the thick
ness Of The atmosphere and tho darkness
Of the night made it next 10 Impossible
that her movements should be seen ; anG,
moreover, whether By accident or design,
another steamer, the Hope, viii. her fun
, mel painted exlcsiy like the Suntots az
chored near her
The Suin:cr yesterday was warped
alongside the britannia steamer. l. was
reported in town that she had dragged
her anchor and sustained serious iriury
from collision with another vessel Carr
pentcrs were sent from the shore, and il
was said that she would not BE ready fer
sea for week at last. Many believe
that tie anchor-draggcA. carpenle1ing and
collision were all paris Of an "artfui
dodge" to throw the Chippewa off hel
guard. |: they were SO, the dodge
would probably have had the opposite
effect of rousing suspicion and s,isnu!at
ing the Chippewa 10 extra vigilance
D!o..rkne:s and ,ho gale were tic real
friends tia. fag4;el the escape OF the
Sumter.