Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-05-27

ttit tltW nttiiibttth pi'
eighty men. Nv officers were men
of experience and tried courage and
when reported to my employers that
the Sea Gull was ready for sea, with
the top-sails looscd and courses hang
ing in the brails. | was answered:
''lou may spread her wings. then.
as soon as you please, Ga tam Stcd-
man here are the necessary papers
from from Washington. and there is
now no occasion for delay.
And shaking hands with all pres
cnt. received their godspecd and
wishes for n short and successful
cruise.
Returning on board. ! gave orders
to yet under wav. Nv list of officers
comprised three licutcnants. a surgeon
and tour midshipmen. Young men.
who had been placed under my charge
bv various gentlemen Of my acquain-
tancc. 4 gunner and boatswain.
assisted bv their mates, and one hun
drctl and eighty men completed the
list. All sail was soon set, the pcnnant
and ensign run up and salutcd. and
with the wind blowing fresh and tair
through our pitch pine -pnrs. We babe
adicu Ia Boston. and started on our
cruise of adventure and danger.
A. we were gliding down the
smooth waters ot the harbor. could
not help contrasting my present posi-
ton with the one held on board the
vessel that had brough; me safely
acros. the waters from Cuba. was
lounging on a gun-carriagc on the
weather side Of the quarter deck. and
master OF a splendid and gallant crew.
was clad in the u.iiorrn of = captain
Of the ni,ci states navy. Ny uni
form coat was rc>plcndcnt with gold
lace and buttons. Gold -wahs orna-
mcn,ed either shoulder, and my dark.
curly hair contra.t,rl finely With the
broad band az larc on my naval cap
in fact. | vas pretty well satisfied
with myself. Nv officer. wore tho
uniform appropriate TO their ranks.
and resolved that the Sea Gull
should BE- disciplined and the crew
drilled and governed the same n ON
board a regular man-oi-war.
a I
al him To hav. all haads pipe'l aft on
the quarterback. which was accord
ingly done A. the tars came crowd
ing an and ranged themselves along
the port side, lifled my cap and all
dressed the men. who stood with un-
covered heads, A. follows -
Officers and men Of the Sea Gull.
| consider Ii my dutv ~ address To
Won a few words on this commencement
Of our cruise. You are All aware.
presume. of the character of thi- y,s-
sci. We are letter Of marV.c, and
have authority from Washington -
burn. sink and destroy any ami every
vessel that may h,' caught and clptur
ed sailing under the piratical nAe. !
shall enforce the same cole Of rule,
for officers and men To follow A. on
board man-of-war. Ia the mean
while. You have much Ia learn. and
constant drilling must be- the order oi
the day. promise yOn prlzc money
in plenty. and trust the officers ami
men will not be disappointed IN the
f,,h ..ttutfft..-y # thor
Boatswain. pipe To grog
And three lusty cheers greeted the
finale OF my speech.
For some time kept the Sea Gull
under easy sail. aud before | reached
Havana felt able 10 cope With anything
that | might meet wiki IN the West
India waters.
II was late in the afternoon that the
Sea Gull entered the harbor Of la
vana and came 70 anchor. The lofty
tnrrets and battlcnents of the Moro
Castle were bathed in cold from the
reflection of the setting sun twilight
shadows were stealing tremulously
across the water, and as the last sun
beam died suddenly from the topmost
pinnacle of the fortress. the roar or 4
heavy piece of ordinance announced to
the shipping and city that the sun had
set.
| DELAYED the Sea Gull three days
| in Havana, and during the time was
visited by several naval officers OF all
| nations. who were loud in their praise
of the craft. and unanimous III allow
/ ing that it was the handsomest vessel
they had ever seen. On the evening
| of the third day | hove up anchor. and
with "A light breeze stool out ~ the
harbor. Shaping a course for Cape
Antonio. | made all sail and bowled
along at the rate of twelve nots before
the wind. | was aroused early next
morning by hearing the lookout, fore
topgallant ward, hail the deck. and re-
port, sail ho.'
Where away:" demanded the third
lurf. who had the deck.
Two points for'ard the beam. sir.
to windward.'
Dressing myself quickly. | ascended
to the deck. Taking long look
through my glass at the stranger. ! at
last succeeded in making her out as II
large fore-and-after. coming down be-
fore the wind with an immense press OF
sail. The morning was lazy and q
Iight fog rested on the waters. render
ing objects quite indistinct; bnt
recognized the schooner at once as the
very one that had captured me, some
time before. and destroyed my vessel.
directed the officer of the deck t'
tack ship, which was accordingly done
| then ordered the battery to be cover