The Portland daily press., 1871-01-09

To the Editor of the Press:
A few months ago gave you some account
OF the privateers of the war of 1912, and
among them of the Brig Rapid of Portland
was misinformed as to her ownership and
as to the year she was built. The following
ens~ef her first voyage and daring escape
from the harbor of Memel, in Prussia, after
beiug seized and confscated by Bonaparte.
will he read by all who know your venerable
fellow citizen, Capt. VIM. Cammett, from
whom have it. 1t will be recollected that
he was first lieutenant of the Rapid on her
first cruise as privateer in 1913.
The owners of the Rapid were VIM. Jew
EFT and his uncle, Deacon James Jewett, of
Portland. She was built in 1900. England
was then at war with France, and was block
adirg Martinique and Guadaloupe, and the
Rapid was intended to run the blockade and
take cargo of coffee to France where it was
worth dollar pound, but before sic was
completed both Islands had surrendered. Her
owners decided TO take a cargo to Europe, and
employed Capt. John Curtis, senior, as sailing
master, with VIM. Jewett, one of her owners
going in her.
Capt. Cammett says: II joined her as
mate, then tweuty-four years old. We sailed
for Charleston, s. c., where we took a full
cargo of cotton aud tobacco for Europe, hay-
ing 96 bales Of cotton on deck. She was
fast sailer, making the passage to Falmouth,
England, in 26 days. The pilot informed us
that We could avoid the quarantine by run
ming into Foy, a fine little harbor 40 miles
east, which we did. Mr.. Jewett Immediately
went to London to ascertain the best market
for the cargo. After six days absence he re-
turned, having decided to 60 to St. Peters,
burg, Russia. She sailed for Gottenburg, as
it was necessary to sail uuder British con.
voy, as the French took our vessels under the
Berlin and Milan DEGREES,
While in Gottenhurg waiting the Brig Wash
ington of Boston, Capt. Cottell, arrived from
Memel in Prussia, where he had sold his car
go of cotton for 81 per lb. Mr.. JeweIt there.
fore decided to go TO MemeL He sailed from
Gottenours the last of September with over
700 merchantmen bound to various porls in
the Baltic, under the convoy of the Victory
and Defence, lime Of battle ships, with several
mon Of war. Our feet diminished every day.
as the dull sailors had to put back and await
an other envoy. To avoid the strong forti6i-
cation of Elsinore and Copenhagen Denmark
and Prussia being under the influence of Bon
aparte) or Commodore took US through the
great Belt, passage at the south of the Isl
and of Zealand. We bad long and tedious
passage through. Several of our file It were
cut out of the convoy by the Danes when
near the shore in this narrow passage.
We arrived at Memel the last of October.
when We found that Bonapsrte had taken the
city short time heio1e, Our brig was imme-
diately seized and guard of soldiers put on
board Mr.. Jewett the owner, and captain
Curtis went ashore Immediately on our arriv-
al, and found that there was difficulty be-
tween the French and Prussian officers. Tie
Prussians were opposed to the seizure of the
brig. On the 9th day Mr.. Jewett came On
board and informed me that the vessel and
cargo were corfiscated under the Berlin and
Milan DEGREES, as we were from British port
under British convoy. Capt. Curtis was