The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-11
THE MORNING STAR CHASED.
Supposed He bel Cruiser north OF Cape
Hattcras-she Gives Chase to the
Morning star--Descrfption OF the eus-
pected Pirate, &C., &c.

Morning star-Descrfption OF the eus-
pectcd Pirate, &c., &c.
TO THR EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The steamship Morning Stsr left New York The 26th
On the following day, between four aud FIVE 7. NJ,
when sxty.hve miles north OF Cape Hatteras, propeller
square rugged, with long projecting bows, not unlike
those OF English build, high smoke stack and burning
colt coal, was discovered steering north.
Immediately upon her making out she changed her
course 10 the eastward TO come down across
bows and by the immense volume Of smoke which Issued
from her smoke stack all convinced che using
unusual pressure Of The captain dslikng the
appearance Of the stranger her conduct aud the circu
OF her burning soft COAL ordered 10 be
changed the east Of what then steering (souh
by west) when she nj baued 10 the northward TO
intercept us. When II thus became apparent that the
suspicious craft resolved overhauling us, our
course was changed the southeast bringing her direct
" AXE and the chars began. We were then car
ryiug twenty pounds Of steam, and the pursuer was
coming up with last. All calls were then set 30 take
advantage OF a strong west wind which blowing,
and the pressure OF steam increased 10 thirty pounds
Under this spread OF canvass and head OF steam
we made fourteen knots and gradually dsanced the
pursuer in spite OF tho :earnest ondeavors she made
Sparks and flame were seen TO issue from her smoke
stack and at times her hull was completely cnveopcd 70
smoke Her lights cxngushcd at night, and other
measures aid her pursuit were adopted ON board our
own ship the light around the engine was deadened by
were put out and IN darkness we CROPPED about speaking
words OF encouragement, or fear or anxious inquiry
about the chase No passengers were allowed on deck
lest rebel sarics symplhlcrs on board might
hib signal lights TO guide the dread pursuer Daring the
night we continued swift flight, and whenp morning
dawped the dread apparton Of the evening before had
vanished yet felt disposed TO make light Of the
matter all felt that had escaped real and threaten
ing danger No officer questioned the character and nten
lions tho vessel but all unanimous in the opinion
that she rebel cruiser especially designed 10 make
capture OF our merchant steam marine.
IL Is only upon these hypothesis that all the crcum
stances be cconccd First she had the appearance
and build ~ English propeller second sho burnt soft
coal fuel used by none OF the Union cruisers, and
which, indeed has boon pcremptory denied to them by
general orders Besides, too, own gunboas knew all
the vessels the New Orleans line aud II they did not
immense proportions could not for moment have
invited the suspicion OF being blockade runner. II
foreign vessel, her strange conduct could DO explained
onlv the superstition that she in distress, which
she certainly not 70 make from ten to twelve knots
an hour II rs only as an Anglo rebel steamer, httcd
out In English port TO prey upon tho commerce Of a
friendly Power that her conduct and character
naturainess and simplicity.
append description Of the above vecse fer the benc.
NJ OF saptane ~
Propeller two masts three yards forward, huh painted
black, hng bow English, msss mo- aDd usgsually high
smoke stack J.ME
HAvsSA. Jan. I, 1850