New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-02
CAPTURE OF TIEE ENGLISH STEAM
Err kNTONA.
H,ci,;pu Chase Of ~ Hours by the u. =.
ateamcr Poe rhontas.

POCAHOSTAs. NEs1hES pULf !
e,ooKApIsG SQUADRON. OPP MOBILE, Ala jan D. loo'
IN ,ho morning of the 9Th instant we weighed
s,cror TO overhaul vessel which was deserted from
the masthead A, 81 o'clock came up 10 it, and sho
proved to be United States transport with troops,
h,uud for Shin Island. We put orr steamer about
20 return TO our station, wien Sail HOLY sounded
again from the ever-vigilant lookout at the crosse
trees; and at the same time a steamer was seen
standing close into the Leach. We promptly directed
orr course accordingly, when the steamer per-
eeiyog movements at once stood ont TO sea, and
now "A highly exciting chase followed.
At 10 o'clock am, the steamer with sais set,
swept before us at fall speed, gaining distance, aud
son threatened 10 be out Of sight We now set oil
s.lils tina, would draw, ran down our colors and
graced our peak with the ensign of her Britannia
Majesty. II oclock-we hold our distance, bu,
gain nothing. II m.-commenced feeding our fur
nsces with pork and junk, which increased our speed
considerably, but the steamer, sending forth huge
masses of black smoke, told that she had similar
refources, and kept her distance. lp. m.-we seem
TO gain, but very little. We fred rlied gun,
which Of course fell considerably short. 2p. H.
gained about quarter of mile, and now saw the
[ Il.
same distance as an hour ago. 4p. m.-the vessel
seems to gain little. but not much. 5oclock-try-
ing our engines TO the best, were pleased to gain
upon her; fred q 81 FOUNDER, which however, drop
ped short. o'cock-a strong breeze sprung up,
aud we set our storm main-sai which increased our
speed 10 eleven and a-haf knots. Darkness seis in,
but ststioning our look-outs with night-gssses in
op aud on the forecsse, enabled 10 keep her IL
sight O'Clock p m.-the neon rose, and the yes
rel was plainly visible without the aid of glasses
We gained considerable and had the beat of expecta-
ions soon to bringher to heave to by lO-nch she'll
when our fore-top-sail gave way, and before it
could be mendGd the steamer gained considerably.
s p. m.-we gain again, and now oompGmented her
with couple of shell, which fell, however, Short
At 9p. m, the steamers top-sail gave way her rig
,ing having been cut by rifle shot, This gave us
considerable advantage. and at 81 p. M, another
rife shot, whining over her, brought her to, her
engine stopped, aud tho race was won.
Captain Gamble hailed her, snd as the sea was
very rough, ~ that he could send boat ordered
Ter 70 keep close by, disobedience of which would
be promptly punished by "Old Ben" the name Of
our IO.inch pivot, baptized at Port Royal.
The next morning we boarded her. when she
proved to be the English steamer AnIOna,' from
Liverpool via Havana, bound for the most conye-
nient Secesh port"
The steamer is a fine iron one built in England in
ls6I, and about 400 tuns burden. The cargo isa
very valuable one and consists Of complete battery
OF brass ieldpeces lot Of quinine, opium, several
thousand pairs Of shoes, numerous boxes Of tea,
about 900 keg. Of powder EpGeld riaes, medicines,
clothing, Sc, Sec.
Her pilot, who came on board at Havana, lefI
Mobile but two weeks ago, and was promised =, 900
Tor safe pilo,sge He seems 20 be disappointed, but
takes /, easy, ard who knows may become siauneh
Union man hereafter.
lie says tho people in and about Mobile suffer
much. Shoes, sl2 and $li pair coffee, II per
pouod salt scarce and very dear. He Gays that
,ho success Of the Democratic party at the last cleo
tions fills tie Rebels with new hopes. They count
upon an early truce by which they might profit
II the Republican party had had minority at the
last elections, he says the Rebels would have laid
down their arms; aud but for that, peace would
have been sought on the beat terms possible.
Acting Maser Edward Baker has taken command
Of the Antena. He leaves Tomorrow for Pensacola
TO coal ship, whence he will proceed to New-York.
n. a. ".