Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-10
BOLD PIRACY.


New y DIRK, Dec. 9.-Ihe steamer CheSa-
peake, which left this port for Portland last
Saturday, was seized on Monday when twenty
miles north northeast of Cape Cod by sixteen
of the passengers, who represented themselves
as belonging to the confederate states. Capt.
Willets was fred at nine times but not hit,
and was then collared and put in irons. The
second engineer, in attempting to throw hot
water on the party, was shot dead and thrown
overheard. The first engineer was wounded
in the face, but was taken away by the con-
federates to manage the engines. The crew
and passengers, except the first engineer,
were put in boat aud sent to St. John, N b.
The steamer sailed N an easterly direction
alongside a vessel. 1t is supposed to have
coaled from her.
The commander of the confederates was
Henry Braine Lieut. Parr, one of Morgan's
men, is second in command. They said they
would attempt to run into Wilmington. They
robbed the captain and crew Of all they pos
sessed
The CheSapeake's crew was Il captain, two
mates, two engineers, two coal pasSerS, four
men before the mast, and a cook and steward.
| The capture was made daring the hour Of
midnight, and but one watch was on deck and
but two men in the engine room. The cap
tain had retired, and thus while they were
! quietly SiCtpllS do inns OhlihSS CbHihiAtSN'
| The second engineer, Mr.. Grin Shatler, un-
doubtedly had charge OF the engine, and in all
probability met his fate through lis bravery.
! He was an estimable young man, and leaves
wife and children.
| Seven passengers obtained their tickets at
the office, and among them was one person
| who stated to the clerk that he was an Old
sea captain. and preferred the mode Of reach
| ing Portland on account OF its being the
| pleasantest and cheapest. Before she started
| some fifteen persons were counted on her
! deck, and as it is usual in this line for persons
| to sail without having purchased their tickets,
nothing was thought of this circumstance.
She lett full Of freight, consisting OF cotton,
rags, provisions and general merchandise
She only carries about thirty tons of coal,
which is enough to last her for the round trip,
and had not more than three days coal at the
time of her capture, SO that the rebels cannot
get very far with her. She carries two guns,
six-pounders, one brass and the other iron,
several reviewers, and some other firearms.
1t is not known whether there was any pow
der on board, but it is supposed there was not
much. Her sails are small and cannot be de-
pended upon. There was no war risk, and
the value OF the vessel is over 500 900.
The steamers Forest City and New Bruins
wick have LETT Portland III search Of the Ches-
apeake. 1t is also reported that the prize
steamer Robert Z. Lee and three gunboats
left Boston yesterday on similar cruise.
The government is determined to capture the
pirate, and will spare no efforts to obtain so
desirable a result.
PREPARING FOR THE PURSUIT.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 9.-The treasury de-
partment this morning received information
by telegraph from an officer Of the revenue at
Portland Of the recent seizure of the steamer
Chesapeake. The state andnavy departments
were at once made acquainted with the fact.
The treasury department Immediately tele-
graphed to collector Barney to send a revenue
cutter in nnrsnit nf tho ---1 "t' DSi'iS
SIiis hessage reached him telegram
was received that lie had already dis
patched the Miami on that business. The
state department telegraphed to our consul
at st. Johns to detain the Chesapeake
should she arrive there, and the navy de-
partment telegraphed to commander Rhind
at Portland to take on board light artillery
and detachment of soldiers from the author.
tiles, and 60 out in pursuit OF the Chesapeake
in the United States steamer Agawam.
LATER.
PORTLAND, Dec. 9.-The United States
consul telegraphs that it is thought that the
Chesapeake had proceeded to Halifax. We
are in iebtcd to the consul for all previous dis
patches about her.