Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-01-02
CAPTURE OF THE ARIEL.
The following is the statement of the
Purser Of ths Ariel:

Purser Of ths Ariel;
The Ariel was captured on her outward passage
BY the rebel steamer Alabama, under the follow
ing circumstances. On the eth inst, st half past
NJ, when rounding Cape Maysi, on the east
ern point of Cuba, we saw vessel about N lies
to tho westward, close under the high land Of Gu
ba, bsrk-rigged and under canvass. There was
nothing in her appearance indicating her 70 be
steamtr. Her snokepipe being down, no suspi-
eions were aroused, until in n short time we saw
she furled her sails, raised her smoke stack, and
was rapidly bearing down upon US under steam.
The american dag was then flying at her peak.
Such was her speed in comparison to ours. that in
half an hour she had come up within half mile
Of ne, when she fired 4 lee gun, hauled down the
American ensign and ran up the rebel flag. No
attention was paid TO the summons, and the Ariel
was pushed to her utmost speed. She then sailed
across eur wake, took position on cur port
quarter, about 40 yards distant. sld fred two
guns almost simultaneously, one shot passing over
tie hurricans deck, between the walking beam and
smoke stack, AID the other hitting the foremast
and cutting it half away. A body Of United States
marines. had been drawn up aad armed, but the
officers il command deemed it worse than folly 10
resist, Is We could plainly zee that they were
now training full brcadsidc upon us, and Capt
Jones gave orders to stop the shin, and haal down
tue national ousign from the peak. A boat
then put Of b us, and the boarding tficcr on
coming aboard, at once assured the passcn-
gers th-t none should be molested. anl
that all baggage and private property should bs
respected. lie then demanded he keys 70 the
specie locker, Together with all tho ship'spapoEs
and letters AMI informed the Captain he must be
in readiness T. 60 on board the Alabama with him,
where 10 vas retained as a hostage till tee next
day. The money in the siip, amounting 70 So
500, was taken of and prize crew, 20 10 number
and well armed, put on board. The engine room
81 - o..
Alabama. The oticcrs and marines on board the
Ariel were paroled and their arms taken as we'll
a. some belonging to the ship. Both vessels lay
OF the Capa during the might and par; Il The
next day. On the Afternoon Of tle Ssh Cur sails
were thrown overheard AID the steam valve taken
away, in order 10 prevent our escape should they
give chase 90 any other vessels, as thew were cx-
pecting to take the Champion, and had been lyiag ,
IN wait for several days at this point fsr tai:
purpose. The same night cur valve was return
cd and the intention Of landing On 81. Domingo
vas changed TO Kingston, ia. Bo'h vessels were
then headed for that place, ard on the inst, at
o'clock, p. NJ, We arrived a Point Mcrant,
about 80 miles from Kingston. Near his tie
Alabama gave chase and boarded vc sci f-om
which some information was received which ia.
duced Capt. 5 mines to again change bis mind AID
take heavy bonds fer the ship AMI cargo. permit
ting US t0 resume our voyage. The rllsoa gwen
was thst this vessel had reported yellow fever
raging 10 Kings on, and he would ~, subject our
Passengers t0 its ray1-cs Eut We W 2. ailcrwar Is
i-i0rmed that 90 yellow fever bad pEGyIiiet there
Tor some time. The coudlc. f.. the fi Gers and
crew while iu charge of c -tir was extremely
eeur,eCus. Iley vee in regular G mIu-iclti0n
with the U-it-d -,tfts both bv letters md p1pers
an we're fully co-uizIut Of oar dtys of Filiug.
aui that tucfc were uo crlers O. iHtsle-ll her in
these waters Pr tbs reason tl. -r..i- o c1-a-
b. The Ariel w.s l,it a. A.Tiawau, es Cirt. Jones
a|r q lea 0. B. r.Hr.. 70 o. be-.