The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-04-20
GIVE UP THE SHIP

NEVER I'VE UP THE SHIP
THE FIGHT BETwEEN THE ME-
TEOR AND lie BOUYET.
PIucky Conduct OF the Germans-A Re.
ward Of valor-Reception of the Me-
teor.
All the Germans in Charleston, and their
friends besides, have been delighted beyond
measure to receive a Tying visit from the Ger
man gunbost Meteor, whose gallant fight with
the French gunboat LIE Bouvet was one OF the
most cherished victories Of the late war. It
showed that the German sailors stand as high
as the German soldiers+that, whatever the
odds against them, they win never give up the
ship.
As soon as the Meteor arrived, her officers
were taken in charge by c. o. Witte, Esq.
one of our most esteemed citizens, the Ger
man Consul at Charleston. The gallant Off
GERS have visited most OF the places Of interest
in the city, and if they will only stay a
little longer, the Charleston Germans will
show them what is the hospitality of a
whole people. Yesterday the officers were to
dine with Mr.. Witte, and 1t is expected that
tomorrow they will join in the picnic of the
Bruderlicherbund. We:only. wish that the
Meteor could remain here until the Schutzen-
!. fest, the great peoples festival. But it is
natural that the Meteor should hasten to
Fatherland, where her officers and crew will
enjoy the distinction they have SO .nobly won.
THE FIGHT WITH LIS BouyET.
From an article In the Deutsche Zeitung Of
this morning we take the following pictur-
esque and graphic account OF the late fight be-
tween the German gunboat Meteor and the
French man-of-war LIE Bouvet:
latter a part OF the rigging of the Meteor
had been shot away, the French steamer came
up under a full head Of steam, and with the
wind against her. evidently Intending to run
her antagonist down. A timely turn o. the
helm brought the two ships side by side. The
Germans stood on deck with cutlasses draEn
to receive the French boarders, but as the two
ships shot past each other, the Frenchman tore
of the rest Of the Meteor's rigging. Lieuten-
ant Kuhn seized his gun, and the crew follow
ing his example, avolley was sent after the
Frenchman. Now the Frenchman Ielt sure of
victory.
A CRITICAL MOMENT
The moment was critical. There the Meteor
lay a perfect wreck; the masts lay across the
cannon; the rigging was entangled. in the
screwI.the commanders bridge was. shot away.
Captain Knorr scarcely had room upon which
to stand, but German sailors do not easily sur
render. Before The Frenehman could turn
around, in order, .as he. believed, to tow his
prize into harbor, the guns he'd been cleared;
and, encouraged by their officers, the brave
sailors worked with axe and knife to cut away
the masts and put everything In readiness for
the fight. On came the Frenchman: & well
aimed shot t the Meteor tore down his mast, q
second tore through the deck, and a third
penetrated to the machinery
aNN TIE TABLES. 5..ii
Affairs had now assumed a different aspect.
LIE Bouvet was envelopedoi in steam, and the
crew endeavored in every possible way to pro-
tect themselves from being scaided. while the
Meteor fred away manfully, her crew giving
lusty cheers. The French found thissteo hot;
and, getting all sail, sought refuge under'th
n of Castle Moro. The Meteor could not fol-
low quick enough, her rigging being entangled
in the screw, but she sent several adleus In the
form of72pound shellsaiter the flying French
man.
THE FRUITS OF VICTORY.
Arrived in Havana, the Meteor was joyfully
received by the whole population, especially
by the German residents. all Vieing to pay
them weIl-merited honor. The Cuban ladies
tenderly cared for those who had been wound
ed in the naval duel. The Meteor lost two
men killed and several. wounded. Captain
Knorr was promoted by the Kaiser Wilhelm
for his Ballantry, and received the IRON Cross.
The Meteor is now homeward bound, and
after she has taken in coal and received The
necessary repairs she will leave Charleston,
as we are sorry to hear, in the course OF the
present week. We feel assured that we are
expressing the wish of every German in
Charleston when we cay, that We should be
much pleased to have this bit OF Fatherland
longer in our midst. Those who have had the
pleasure Of making the acquaintance aof Cap
tain Knorr, and his gentlemanly officers, will
do all in their power to keep them here
a while longer
A BALL TONIGHT
Tonight there will be an entertainment at
the Freundschaftsbund Hall in honor of the
officers Of the, Meteor. The membess!of the
Freundschaitsbund and Of the Bruderlicher-
bund are invited to attend.