Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-09-29
THE PIRACY ON LAKE ERIE

The Toledo Blade has the following detail, Of tba -
ure Monday last by rebels from Canada Of the
Philo Parsons and Island Queen near tho Bass Islands
Lake Erie. These particulars derived from Capt J
W. Orr who in command Of the Island Oueen al ,hs
time oil her capture and having been liberated Tuesday
morning IN the Detroit river, has returned to Toledo
The steamer Philo Parsons, Capt s. f. Atwood Isft
Detroit Monday morning eight O'Clock for SauduRky
At Sandwich number of passengers got on board ana
also at Maiden. making in all thirty-fve to forty They
had several trunks and other baggage.
Nothing occurred to attract attention 10 these msa until
the boat had left Keeys Island when they went To their
rooms and soon returned dressed in long coats ooncssns
their persons Under the orders of leader these men
were so stationed to command the boat and then the
officers and crew notified that they we're prisoners
OF war ana that the boat was in possession of Capt Allen
of the Confederate navy.
The disguise OF the men being removed revealed
them armed with two navy revovers, bowie knife aud
Ratchet each 1t also found that they were provided
with graphing irons for scaling vessels The captain and
his men were told that any attempt resistance their
brains would be blown out and two of the prvaes sood
oy the wheelsman with four pistols drawn, directing him
in what direction to steer
After getting possession instead of entering he bay the
pirates passed on down the lake five miles from the
island when they turned around and passing the KeleYs
went back to Middle Bass island
The steamer Island Qneen had left Sandusky at F. NJ
for Toledo aud stopped at Keley Island for thirty
or forty of Capt Webbs Company 18th Ohio who
had been home furlough They were of course with
out arms. The Queen stopped at Middle Bass Island
alongside the Parsons without the least spcon of wrong
passing freight the p to the dock when she was
suddenly boarded by about twenty armed men, who no.
tilted all on board that they prisoners of They
then ordered board the Parsons the ladies and
children being allowed to 90 shore The soldiers were
then all paroed Confederate prisoners of war; and the
OF the of the two boats secrecy
for twenty four hours when they permitted to land
The steamers then shed together and started for
Sandusky About five miles below Put Bay the pirates
broke of the water cock of the pony engine of the Queen
Leaving hole IN her side about four inches in diameter
when she was cast of from the Parsons and left to sink
The p then passed and crused about the mouth of
Sandusky Bay for Time if watching for sgnsl
inside, and then took her for Detroit river.
While cruising about the bay the pirates were heard
discussing earnestly among themselves the probability of
their being able to capture the u g. steamer Michigan
lying at Johnsons Island Some claimed it could be DONE
while others insisted that the attempt would be nothing
but murder 1t is Capt Orr's belief that this the
chief object of the the attempt failed from
miscarriage of the plan the part of accomplces
the bay.
The Parsons reaching Detroit river took the British
and VIM Hamilton, clerk and Mr. Haynes, engineer of
the Queen and part of the Parsons crew were Landed
She then passed on TO dock up the river where abe ia
to have landed the plumber about eight
O'Clock Tuesday morning.
The Queen completely stripped of every thing that
was deemed Of value to the pirates and all movable pro
pery on the Parsons gathered together The OF
the latter was compelled 10 spt up barrels and saurato
canvass with coal oil preparatory TO setting her fro
Capt. .. thinks she burned
Capt Orr crossed the Wyandotte where he took
the cars for this city at ten clock ths morning
He was confined by the pirates first the cabin and then
in the freehold OF the steamer The pirates ked him il
there was any thing strange exciting going at San
dusky and seemed to expect to hear something OF
kind.
Facts have transpred at Sandusky which no doubt
that the object Of this plot the seizure of the Michigan
and the liberation of the rebels Johnsons Island The
engineer of the Michigan supposed to have been OF
the conspirators and he has been arrested. Several
at Sandusky were also arrested but have since
been discharged
The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser Of Monday has tbs
following interesting statements:
"We learn that Saturday eight Of the rebas
concerned in the recent pracal raid Lake Erie
arrested at St Cahanes (Canada order of tho AoI
ney General of Canada. They placed ia custody
and will be held till delivered up to the United States
der tho extradition treaty.
I'VE learn that while Geu Dix this city Thurs
day he had friendly conference with Mayor Fargo ia
reference to the recent troubles the lakes HIS busi
at Detroit and other Western cities obtain the
necessary statements aud sdayts for the making out Of
to present TO the British Government This
dition of the pirates will be demanded and without doubt
conceded by the English authorities"