Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-04
E,ciltnr sen Chnse of NJ Hnur..

A correspondent of the Tribune, writing
from the United States steamer Pocahon-
tas, off Mobile, gives the following sketch
of the chase and capture of the English
steamer Antona:
"On the morning Of the 9th instant we
weighed anchor to overhaul vessel which
was deserted from the masthead. At 81
came up to it, and she proved to be a
United States transport with troops, bound
for Ship Island. We put our steamer
about to return to our station, when sail
hot sounded again from the ever vigilant
lockout at the eross-trees; and at the
same time steamer was seen standing
close into the beach. We promptly di-
rected our course accordingly, when the
steamer perceiying our movements at
once stood out to sea, and now highly
exciting chase followed.
At 10 o'clock a. NJ, the steamer with
sails set, swept before us at full speed,
gaining distance, and soon threatened to
be out of sight. We now set all sails that
would draw, ran down our colnrs and
graced our peak with the ensign Of her
Britannia Majesty. II o'elock-we hold
our distance, but gain nothing. y NJ
commenced feeding our vessel with pork
and junk, which increased our speed con-
siderably, but the steamer, sending forth
huge masses of black smoke, told US that
she had similar resources, and kept her
distance. P. M.-we seem to gain but
very little. We fred our rifed gun, which
of course fell considerably short. 2P.M.
gained about quarter Of q mile, and
saw the Enlish colors hoisted on her main.
3 P. N.-same distance as an hour ago
4 P. M.-the vessel seems to gain o little,
but not much. o'clock-trying our en-
gines to the best, were pleased to gain upon
her; fred a 32-pounder, which however,
dropped short. O'clock strong breeze
sprang up, and we setour main-sail which
increased our speed to eleven and a-half
knots. Darkness sets in, but stationing
our look-outs with night glasses in top
and on the foreeastle, are enabled to keep
her in sight. oclook-the moon rose,
and the vessel was plainly visible without
the aid of glasses.
awe gained considerable and had the
best Of expectations soon to bring her to
heave to by 10-inch shell, when our fore
top sail gave way, and before it could be
mended the steamer gained considerably.
At 8 P. m. we gain again, and now compli-
mented her with a couple of shell, which
fell, however, short. At p. m. the steam
ers top-sail gave way, her rigging having
been cut by a rifle shot. This gave us con-
siderable advantage and at 81 p. m. anoth-
er rifle shot, whizzing over her, brought
her to, her engine stopped, and the race
was won.
"Captain Gamble hailed her, and as the
sea was very rough, so that he could send
no boat, ordered her to keep close by, dis
obedience of which would be promptly
punished by "0ld Ben " (the name of our
lO-inch pivot, baptized at Port Royal
"The next morning we boarded her
when she proved to be the English steam
er AntOna, from Liverpool via. Havana,
bound for the most convenient Secesh
port"
"The steamer is a fine iron one, built in
England in 1861, and about 400 tons bur
den. The cargo is a very valuable one,
and consists of complete battery of brass |
ield-pieces, lot of quinine, opium, sew
eral thousand pair of shoes, numerous
boxes of tea, about five hundred kegs Of !
powder, Enfield rifles, medicines, clothing,
&C., sc.
"Her pilot, who came on board at Ha- |
vana, left Mobile but two weeks ago, and |
was promised $4,000 for safe pilotage. He
seems to be disappointed, but takes it easy,
and who knows, may become a stauneh |
Union man hereafter.
He says the people in and about Mo
bile suffer much Shoes, Sl2 and S14 a
pair; coffee, 81 p IL; salt, scarce and
very dear. He says that the success of the
Democratic party at the last elections fills
the rebels with new hopes. They count
upon an early truce, by which they might
profit. If the Republican party had had a
majority at the last elections, he says the
rebels would have laid their arms; and
but for that, peace would have been sought
On the best terms possible.