New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-02
Destruction Of che Rebel Steamer TroPic-
| Important Papers Captured.

| private letter from on board one Of the vessels
blockadng Charleston gives the following interest
ing particulars of the destruction OF the Conieder
| ate steamer Tropc, formerly the HuDtress:
On Sunday, Jan. lS, the watch officer OF The United
States steamer Quaker City, reported e large tre
burning seaward. The captain Immediately hurried
npon deck, and decided it large yessel on lire
Without delay he weighed anchor and steamed out,
for 1t was blowing very fresh. II was not until :
o clock that they wore enough to discover 1t
was largo side-whee steamer, completely ELL
veloped in flames, sight magnificent to behold.
Upon coming nearer iG was discovered the boat
alls at each quarter We're hanging down to the
water, and the boats gone. Upon this evldeuce OF
at least some having managed to leave the vessel IL
vas decided to remain sCaming around, IN hopes Of
saving human life, and jest az dawn was making, a
noise was heard astern, which proved to DO one OF
the beats containing sixteen persons, WHO would
soon have found watery grave, IS the boat was
then nearly full OF water, aud the occupants nearly
frozen.
The men had only the clothes in which they stood,
but there two passengers WHO managed to save
couple Of yalises. On their reaching the deck,
imagine the surprise of Uncle Sans servants to md
these sufferers belonging to the Rebel steamer
Tropc, formerly the Huntress Of the New-lork and
Charleston line, which they stole at the commence
nent OF the Rebellion. She had succeeded In run
hing past some OF our blockaders on that dark and
drizzly night, with cargo OF 1913 bales OF Upland
cotton, bales Of Sea Island, and barrels OF tur-
pentiue, with barrels of resin. She would have
been rich prize, but at all events the Rebels have
been deprived OF the proceeds for stores and amu-
nition. They reported another boat with fourteen
persons. Steaming around until daybreak, the
second boat wac deserted and the sufferers rescued
The mass Of the crew were EngLish and irish.
One of the two passengers was an Englishman
named j. Vernon Of London. just before reaching
the ship he was seen 10 throw overheard quantities
of yellow covered documents" A boat was i'm
nlediately lowered which succeeded in securing them
They proved to be contracts entered into by the Sec
retary of War, Secretary Of the Navy, end Post
master. General with the said Vernon, for furnish
ing the so-caed Confederate Government with
stores, Announcements, &c. Said Vernon was very
indignant threatening TO report this matter to Lord
Lyons admitting, Mt the same time, that lie was an
agent OF the Confederate Government.
The Other passenger was named Steers, Is Penn
syvanian by birth, but has resided south for many
ears. lie said he has two soma IN Mcclellan 3
army. He was large owner OF stock in the 1rOpc,
being the owner Of sixteen shares, beside cotton
plantation in Georgia, aud farm near Richmond.
La addition ~ this he owned portion OF the cotton
on the steamer. The chief mate Of tue vessel, a
man named Glass, they say, undoubtedly WAC SUI
iOcated by the deuse smoke, as he came Oh board
much intoxicated.
CONN auder Fraley, of the Quaker City, seems to
be particularly expert In capturing Rebel documents
he was the fortunate officer who captured so
recently Major Sanders and hls budget.