New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-27
She Claims to be the British Sloop-
of-War Spitfre.
She Fires into the United States Steamer
Hatteras and Sinks Her.
SHE THEN RUNS AWAY UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS,
She is Supposed to be the Pirate Alabama

BY the arrival at this port last evening ofthe steam
or Merry A. Boardman from New-Orleans via
Key West, we have news from Galveston to the
18th inst, brought to Key West by the steamship
Northern Light via NewOrleans.
On the 18th inst, while the United States soor-
of.war Brooklyn, in company with six other Union
steamers. was of Galveston they saw a steamer in
the ofing The steamer Iateras, lone Of the United
States vessels, Immediately got under weigh to
speak her, and when within halng distance asked
who che was; they received the answer Her
Malesty's sloop-of-war Spitiire.'
The commander Of the Hat,eras told her to wait
and he would send boat 20 her, and had Just low
eryd bis boat and had one Of his officers and crew
in her when the steamer opened her broaiside and
fired il into the lIattens. The Brooklyn hearing
the firing got under weigh and started in pursuit Of
the stranger but night coming on lost sight Of her,
snl was compelled to give mp the chase. When
coming back 20 where the Hat,eras had been, found
her sunk in nine fathoEs Of water. The steamer
was no donb, the pirate Alabama. The Haiteras
merely transport, but carried four guns OF light
caliber, similar to the transport Mcclellan.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
At late hour last night reporter boarded the
Mary ~ Boarjmau, and obtained from tho Flrst
Officer the following additional particulars: The
Mary 4. Boardwan left New.Orleans on the 18Th
inst, made n short run TO Key West, where, on the
10Th inst. our informant saw Capt. Terry of the
Northern Light, Capt. Terry reports that on Sun
day, the Eth ius the blockading vessels lying of
Galveston saw "a strange yesSel hesye in sight. The
naval transport Haiieras got under weigh and went
out 10 meet her. When wi hin speaking dIstanco
she hailed Tho stranger and asked her name. The
rely was her Malestys sieamsaip-oi-war Spiiiirc.
Tie coptau 81 the Uaucras saii he would send a
boat siou .de and ooard her. lie lowered sway
his boat with crew and officer in charge.
Aboni tie time TO-. boat reached the water the So
called Sli'irc, WHICH is fupPored to to the 800.
or the Alabama ned Ere upon the Hateraf. The
Brooklyn and Lalf dozen guaboa:s were lying At
anchor by Tie bar at Galveston. They SAW and
heard The firing and Immediately 90, under weigh.
|, was dark before they reached the place Of engage
mcnt. The supposed Alabama was under .ull
head Of steam ana on, Of reach of our guns.
The next morning they found the liaiieras sunk
in nine nthons Of water. Up to the lime our III
formant received this news nothing had been heard
Of the crew. They pulled away from The ship soon
M the firing commenced; whether they escaped or
not il unknown. Tley may have mot with the
same fate their comrades doubtless met ON board
the Inflated Eaueras
The supposed Alabama had the British flag flying
az Der maets at the time shc sunk the Ha,ieras.
1t is not positively known whether 1t was Il Bril-
sh vessel or the Alabama. The latter has been 20
Frequently md 70 infinitely described l. isa wonder
il il was her that sLc was not recognized when rst
rallied by tie litterss besides II s strange indeed
if she vcntured 20 near the neehborhood Of vessels
that could have easily captured her in fir ishi.
On the other hand, the Alabama may have con-
cealed her,clf under the cover Of fresh paint ana
ialfe colors ~ as to deceiye those who may have
seen her in her old rg. The fact that she strikes the
towards blow and then runs away, ana that size
runs fast after choosing the edge of the evening for
the assault, to escape in the dark, lead to
suppose that sle was the Alabama. The future will
undoubtedly reveal the mystery, and the murderers
on tho hig,I seas will be known hereafter.