Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-05
CAPTURE OF THE ARIEL.
INTERESTING PARTICULARS.

e.. INTERESTING PARTICULARS.
Aneng the incidents Of the late capture of the Ariel
| By the Alabama arc the following:
As the passengers Of the Ariel seated at their
dinner on Sunday December 18th, Captain Jones Was in
ormed that war steamer bearing down upon them,
and although he made light Of the fact still he left the
dinner table and assembled the deck The vessel
was deserted about four miles off sailing under the Stars
and Stripes but Captain Jones discovered that the
build and rigging English and, suspecting mischief
order she Ariel to be put under full head OF Stean ill.,
tending fpossbe leave the suspicious craft far behind
But his efforts were unavaing for shortly after blank
cartridge was fred closely followed by two Shells one
of which, common round she'll cut fearful piece from
out of the foremost The other SHE'LL which, fortunately
passed over the vessel the passengers were informed
was a steeLponted one-hundred pound projecle, so
constructed to destructive explosion immcdi'
atsy it strikes any object Had this shell burst or
against the Ariel there is no knowing what loss of life
might have been caused to the unoending non-comba-
| tants on board
The Marines who we're one hundred and forty strong,
under Major Garland, ordered on deck to resist
any attempt TO board tho Ariel b. the of the pur
suing VESSEL but when the character OF the craft
y sscerianed it was considered entirely useless 10
make ANY resistance aud the marines ordered be-
| low. Captain Jones whose bravery is well known in.
sisted that his flag Ldoi not be lowered under any cir
cumstanee but that he would fight out. The marines,
however being dsarmed he had to give way, very re-
luctany and the Ariel surrendered to the Alabama
Al this time the Ariel going about eight aud half
knots and the Alabama eleven knots under only eleven
pounds of steam.
A boat was then sent from the Alabama, manned by
| twelve well armed men, and under the charge of a
Southern officer named Low, who ranked as Lieuen-
ant in the rebel navy As they approached the Ariel
the passengers began TO show evident signs of uneas
ness Us if they feared that demand would be made
upon them for their "noney their lives perhaps
both. The women were dreadfully frightened, aud
those who had any vausoe personal property began 70
conceal it as rapidly possible Lieutenant Low when
he boarded the Ariel stated that the passengers would
be allowed 10 proceed unframed and their private pro-
perty should be respected This certainly quoted few
of them although there yet some Skeptics Cap
tain Jones ordered TO go aboard the Alabama
and OH his return tho Ariel he stated that the Aaba-
ma deserved all her previous reputation Tor speed She
can steam fourteen knots with seventeen pounds Of
steam, and is allowed to carry % pounds OF steam
She has two engine Of fytwo inch cyindersn seyen-
teen inch stroke and Is in all respects perfect model
Of beauty Her armament is he says one hundred
FOUNDER rife and si1yeght-pounder pivot gun be-
sides six medium thrty-two- Founders. He can tight
seven guns SIDE having arrangements for transferring
two of the broadsde guns from side to side with great
rapdity. Capt Joaes further says the Alabama has R
fine crew and that they well disciplined that The
ship Is in fine order and that the deck is arranged for
two additional pivot guns which he was informed were
one hundred.pounder rifles and in the Alsbamas hold,
ready to be mounted should they be required. He says
that "Old Beeswax treated him remarkably well well
as If he had been visitor He not confined and had
the privilege OF the deck and messed in the wardroom
The list of officers Of the Alabama correct as before
published IN the Herald"
Captain Jones 80 tue only ship that semmes fears
Is the Vanderbilt BE made many inquiries rega riding
her speed Aad arnssnt but obtAipsd no Information