New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-11
The Cruise OF the Vanderbilt.

" HAVANA, March T. 1859
You have doubtless heard this Of the capture
Of the English steamer Peterhof, Of st. Thomas,
by this ship which took place on the 18th of Febru-
airy. I will therefore omit the particulars Of that
event. ard give You in chronological order journal
of our cruise up to this time:
FEB. 26.-Adniral Wilkes transferred his flag 10
this ship, and at o clock p. m. got under weigh.
On the morning Of the Goth an American bark ar.
rived from Barbados with the news that the Rebel
privsteer Florida bad put there the day she left
the 24th--and was to sail at the expiration Of 4S
hours This intelligence was gladly received by all
hands, and much anxiety was expressed TO get of
Immediately; but We were detained until late IN the
evening, waiting for the Admiral. At p. m. got
under weigh, but instead Of heading for Barbadoes
where thers was probability that we might have
found the Florida, We stood OIL TO the nortnwara.
Much surprise was expressed at this course but tho
Admiral no doubt mad good reasons for acting a. Do
FEE. N-Arrived off Mona leland and sent a boat
ashore but got no information.
FEB 28-Arrived and anchored at st. Carlos,
Porto Rico, about clock p. m, communicated
with the Consul and left at z p. N.
MARCH, 3-Arrived and anchored at Pointe-A-
Pstre Guadaloupe, no news except confirmation OF
the report that the Florida was at Barbados on
the 26.h ulk, and was to leave the same day on
cruise.
MARCH 5-Arrived off ST. Pierre, Martinique, and
sent boat ashore, news; left Same day Tor Bsf.
BADGES.
MAKcH 6-Arrived and anchored nc Bridgetcu.
Barbados This place is the capital. and 10 situated
on the western side of the island on Carlsle Bay,
and is about two miles 10 extent. Although pos
sesses some good houses, yet the extreme rreguaty
of the buildings and the crooked and unpaved streets
give it mean appearance. Ia the principal square
is good statue Of Lord Nelson. AT the southern
mart of the town there dockyard and garrison,
with large and spacious barracks and an excellent
parade, | should think Brldgelon a very pleasant
place to spend few we ks, the climate being
besthy and less humid than the other slands of the
West indies This arises, presume, from its light
and caicareous soil, which soon sbsorbs the rain.
The great draw back TO this place. in my opinion, Ia
the prsponderance of tue blacks. They comprise
nue-tenths of the whole population, and are exceed.
ingly impudent and lazy. Quite an amusing scene
occurred on the landing vt ADMIRAL Wilkes 10 paye
visit to the Governor. As the boat touched the
"mole,p a large crowd Of "nokes" were, a. usual,
Ioafug about, who, on seeing the Admiral gave
three cheers "for Wilkes, case de white folks are
down on him." The black policemen tried In vain
to quiet the tumult BY appealing 70 their PoItsLss'
lint il was "no 20. The sable body guard escorted
him some distance up the street, and cheering again
and again as he drove of in tho carriage. This
scene was repeated when the Admiral returned to
20 on board the cry being changed 10 be sure TO
bring :" dat ere Semmes into port" Great CURIOSITY
wss manifested by the people TO visit the ship, BUS
an order having been given against admitting vsit-
ors several boat-loaos Of sight-seers were Gsap.
pointed The privaleer Florida stayed at Bridgeton
foryeight hours having left ON the 10Th ult, amer
coai,ng Lett Barbados on tho 9Th at y. No..
AID anchored at Ponte- a-Petre,
where we remained six days, taking in 600 tuns OF
coal. The gunboats Alseana aud Oneida arrived
on the 9Th. Capt. Hazard vi the Oneida was eur-
viewed by Medical Board and ordered home on &C.
count OF bad health. The executive officer, Lieut..
Alien. assumes command. Pointe-arPetre Is de-
cidedly the most agreeable port we have
vet visited. The people are gay and
Courteous and appear " wish our cause SUCCESS.
The ship was crowded with visitors from morning
til night, who were loud in their praises OF al they
saw. very good company OF Comeaians IRON
Paris. under the direction OF NJ. N. Dusaale a. La
brune. opened tue thsater the night we arrived with
a drama in five acts, called Marie Jeanne, orLa
Femme du Peuple; the acting Of Messrs. Danson
and Claude, and Madame DusauIe, was excellent
aud deserved much larger audience than witnessed
their performance. Ii s the Intention OF the man.
ager 20 yislt New-York with his company, where
hope our French citizens will patronize them 40
MARCH l3.-Left Pointe. a.Petre at II 9. m;
stopped off Basse Terre, and sent boat on board
the French frigate Fondse with letters for the Ad.
MARCH l4.-Arrived and anchored at st. Thomas.
The English steam fIigate Phelon and the Wachu-
sett were in port rl4
MARCH l5.-Left st. Thomas.
MARCH T.-Fell In with steamers Rhode Island
and Santiago de Cuba off Mole ST. Nicholas Hayti;
stood in and anchored in company. After communi-
eating with the two steamers, got under weigh at
$3.50 p. N.
MARCH Is-Came to anchor at 1880 D. m. Oh
Cay Lobos Light. At a. IN. steamer ran down
toward u.s. aud then changed her course and stood
IF to the eastward. We Immediately got under
weigh and started in pursuit. After O chase Of Is
niles, brought her to by shot from the forward
pivot gun. Sent boat on board, and found her 10
De the Spanish steamer Maisi from Havana to Nue.
gitas.
MARCH 20.-Arrived at Havana. u. s. steamer
Sonoms came Ia same time. The British frgste I'm.
nortallte aud French lne-of-battleship Fontenoy in
he harbor. '