The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-28
CAPTAIN WILSON.

The Career OF a Gallant Merchant Cap
tain-The Rocaptare OF the Emily ST.
Pierre. 70, 2'~
In our last issue we briefly announced the
death, at sea, Of one Of the brayeat and best
known commanders in the mercantile marine,
Captain William Wilson, the celebrated cap
tain of the Emily st. Pierre. The Liverpool
Mercury, Of August 12th, in noticing the sad
event. says:
Captain Wilson was first brought under the
notice of the public in connection ith the cap
ture and extraordinary recapture OF the Liver
pool ship Emily st. Pierre Soon after the
commencement Of the late American war, an
announcement was received in Liverpool that
the above named vessel, bound from Calcutta
to st. Johns, New Btun swick, with cargo OF
gunny bags, had been captured by the Federal
war vessel James Adger, while attempting to
get into Charleston, and that she had been
sent in charge OF prize crew to Philadelphia.
short time after hoxeysr ,thss e. ppnlic were
stead Of being ,S. Phladvlphia, had been
brought to Liverpool by Captain Wilson and
safely docked. How this exploit was achieved
has become matter of history, but now that
the chief actor is no more, it may be interest
ing to give the leading particulars Of the extra
ordinary affair. That will be best done by re-
producing the captains own modest account OF
the transaction, which he related at an 1ntiuen-
tial meeting Of Liverpool shipowners and cap
tains who met (under the presidency of MIR.
J mes Beazley) to do him honor soon after his
arrival in port, and who presented him (as
recognition Of his gallant conduct) with mag
nlhcent gold pocket chronometer, complete
ten and coffee service in silver, dozen silver
teaspoons, with the accompanying adjuncts OK
q pair OF sugartongs, caddyspoon, sugarsPooin 100
and coffee tray. On that occasion Captain VII
son spoke a. follows:
81 left Calcutta on the 9th Of November,
with orders to make the coast OF South Caro-
lima, to ascertain whether it was peace or war;
il peace, was to take pilot and enter the
port of Charlesi on; if blockaded, I was to pro-
cee1 to St. John, N. B. On the 18th March,
1862, considered myself about twelve miles
off the land, when saw steamer coming
towards me, which proved to be the war
steamer James Adger. I hauled up my cour-
ses and backed the mainyard, and was soon
boarded by two boats, whose officers and crew
took possession OF my ship, and, filing the
mainyard, they steered for the fleet, and
brought the ship to anchor about half-past
two. was then ordered into the boat (the
officer taking all my papers with him) and
taken on board the steamer Florida, where
remained till about half past four without
any one speaking to me. l was afterwards
told by fag-oficer Goldsborough that I had
saltpetre on board, that was lawful prize
to the Federal Government, that could take
q passage in the ship to Philadelp phia and
and charts. 1 replied that they should have
the use Of them, but that my cargo was
not saltpetre, and that my ship was British
prope. .ty. I returned to my ship in an hour,
found my crew all taken away, xctpt the cook
and steward, and o new company on board,
consisting OF Lieutenant Stone, masters mate,
twelve men, and passenger-hfteen In all.
We weighed anchor and proceeded to sea. On
the mornng Of the 21st Of March (being Lieut.:
Stones watch on deck) called the cook and
steward into my state-room about half-past
four, and said to them that had made up my
nv mind to lose my life or have my ship, and
asked their assistance, which was obtained.
then gave pair Of irons and sheet to them,
and told them to follow me. The masters
mate was asleep in his berth, and after handing
out his revolver ind his sword grasped his
in its place in O minute. I then went to the
passenger IAN engneerl, and having taken the
arms from his berth I secured him in the same
way. I then went on deck as IT had just
turned out, and walked the deck for about ten
minutes alongside Stone, remarklng the fair
wind, &C., and soon after asked him down TO
the cabin to look at the chart, and saving that
the coffee would be down directly: scly he start
hold Of an iron Delaying pin on my way down.
entered the fore cabin just as he was at the
door of the after cabin, where the chart @as
spread out ready. brought him up by saying
Stone = and, holding the Delaying pm over
his head, told him that my ship should never
go to Philadelphia. The cook and steward
were b1th really, and before ne coutd utter
sound the irons were on his wrist, the gag IN
his mouth, and he pitched into q berth. lock-
ed him up, and having secured my cabin In
truders, went on deck. Three men wore walk
ing the deck; one was at the helm and one on
tbe lookout. I called the three men aft, and
pointing to the hatchway OF the storeroom
near the helm, said that coil or rope Was
wanted up. showed off the hatch, and point
ing to q corner where it was, tney ali tnree
and warned the man at the helm Of his dan
GER il he moved or spoke. The lookout was
ther called aft, and when asked whether he
would help to work the ship to British port
he said no. therefore put him with the
others, guarding the hatchway. L then call
ed the watch, and as sailors do not come on
deck all together, we got two att secured
before any suspicion, was aroused; the third
man of the watch below drew his knife at the
steward, upon which he fired, and the shot
went through his shoulder; the others were
soon secured, and in the space OF mornings
watch I Was again in charge OF my ship. !
soon came down and announced the fact "
Lieutenant Stone. I told him L would take
the ga, out of his mouth and the IRON OF his
wrists if he contented himself to remain
prisoner in his berth. He was at liberty TO
take passage to England. promised him
good treatment, and food when the steward
could prepare any. He dlned at the cabin table
under guard, and was then replaced in his
berth. The crew were supplied daily with
bread, beef and water, and buckets were pro-
yided to answer natures requu ement!. After
consideration, four volunteered to lend hand
rather than be in confinement; but these were
landsmen, and only one could steer. and that
1nperfectly. This, then, gentlemen, vas my
position. I was three thousand miles away
from my native land, without helmsman
in all my crew but myself; for while some
cooks and stewards can steer, mine could
not I experienced heavy gale Of wind;
and feared that after all should not make
my passage, for my tiller was broken du-
ring the storm, and [ was nearly .welve
hours fitting temporary one. You may easily
Judge my difficulties when you consider thirty
days passage in such circumstances, with such
q crew and su,h a number Of prisoners. When
I wanted to reef the topsails had to ke toe
reettackles to the capstan, and then lay aloft to
pass the earrings and tie thu points alone, at
the same time keeping my eye upon the ships