The Republican journal., 1883-01-11


land their contraband cargoes. The ruined
hulls of steamers which had been driven ashore
by our cruisers and which lined the shores for
miles, told of the hazards of this business. The
smoke stacks of these stranded steamers made
excellent marks for broadside guns and many
ball riddled them at target practice.
1t was Sunday. The ships company had
mustered in blue pants, white shirts and white
caps, and We're gathered about the decks in
groups discussing home matters and other top
les. when the look out aloft shouted Sail ho."
Otto Seaward, lust looming above the horizon
coudbe seen the dense. black smoke of a steam
er. In an instant every one knew the charac-
ter of the approaching vessel although her hull
was not yet visible. All English blockade rum
ners burned soft coal, the smoke from which
could be seen many miles on a clear day. The
stranger was II blockade runner and was only
awaiting the cover of darkness to run into the
very inlet which we Were guarding.
our officers were determined to capture the
steamer but how could this be done with IL sail
ing vessel? It must be accomplished by STRAIT
egy, if at all. The Ethan Allen was q hand
sJme clipper bark of 800 tons. built in East
Boston by the celebrated ship builder. Donald
Mckay, and designed for an African trader.
Her graceful lines, sharp bow, oval stern. long
and tapering spar9 We're the admiration of all
nautical beholders. A bust of the hero of Fort
Ticonderoga sat gracefully on her cutwater,
ever watchful, as it We're, for the enemy. The
vessel had little of the appearance Of man-ot-
war. and 50 could be easily disguised as a meI-
chant vessel. The order was given to get under
way. 1t will not surprise Il mun-of-warS man
but It may seem incredible to a merchant sailor.
when | say that in Just seven minutes from the
time the order was given to weigh anchor, the
vessel filled away under all sail. A crew of 110
we'll drilled >camen could easily and quickly
handle aye>Sel of the Ethan Aliens dimensions
which If employed in the merchant marine ser
vice. would carry not over ten nrn before the
mast The broad side guns We're run in amid
ships, the port holes covered, the rifle gun on
the topgallant forecastle hidden beneath an old
studdensail, the crew ordered to keep below
the rails, with the exception Of half dozen
seamen who, dressed in Old patched-up cloth
ing, We're stationed in different parts Of the ves-
sci pretending to perform ship duty. The Off
Ger Of the deck donned a linen duster to hide his
uniform, and with the bloody ensign of Great
Britain flying from the mizzen peak, the dis
gulse was perfect. In an incredibly short space
of time an American man-of-war was trans
formed into a peaceful English merchantmen.
How anXiously we awaited the result of our
efforts, and speculated as to the amount of
prize money we should receive. When prize
= a.,
SpoiS. But here we We're alone, and a large,
heavily and richly laden steamer almost within
our reach The money we Were to receive for
this Sundays adventure would exceed our
wages for ONE whole term of enlistment. Do
YOU wonder we We're anxious and impatient:
The chase was an exciting one. We would
stand towards the steamer. which would natu-
rally edge Oft then about ship and stand away
This manu'uyre completely diSarmed all >u>pi-
cion, and the steamer took no pain, to keep ont
of our way.
Just before dark the steamer was les than
half mile away. within easy >h citing distance,
Now was the supreme moment. The order
WAS given. In an instant the ports Were lifted.
the broadside guns run out twenty men sprang
English ensign hauled down and the stars and
stripes flung to the view of the stranger. Bang,
bcIched forth one of our broad>ide guns, sent
ing Il shell across the bows of the steamer. To
say the stranger wa, ,u1pri>c'l at this trans
! formation scene would be drawing it mildly
He was within our power completely and he
knew it was useless 10 attempt to escape, Sc
b,
| lee within speaking distance, In reply 10 our
hail c said he was from Philadelphia bound to
Nassau. \ boat was lowered and sent on
board the steamer. On the return the officer
reported the captains statement false and thai
the steamer was Il rich priIe.
! our commander then said he would 90 on
board and look over the stranger. twas now
growing dark and for two hours the vessels
driftcd side by side, we of the Ethan Allen
awaiting the return of our captain. What TOOK
place on board that steamer WAS never known
to the ships company Of our vessel, except
from circumstantia evidence. When our boat
returned Our captain was apparently intoNi-
Gated, and required help to reach his cabin.
On bis arm was Il basket containing half
| dozen sealed bottles of liquor, In his passage
across the deck he remarked Here's rr-
frcshment~ enough to last Robbins fort
night, naming a wounded man on board.
While this was going on our prz, of few
| hours ago steamed away in the darkness. talk
inc with her III our prize money, ana the cas-
| ties which we had buildcd in the air
| What took place on board the blockade
runner ! cannot saw, for Il sailor knows