Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-05-06
CHASED BY A CRUISER.

| CHASED BY A CRUISER.
ESCAPE OF THE CLIPPER AsTeRoso
FROM THE PRIvATEER ALABAMA
or the Cape Of Good Hope Early In
1854 Stern Chase and . Coming
Gaie-A summons to Surrender
The Escape-''Gcod-Bye.
| Our voyage continued prosperous, and
| nothing suspicious was discovered until one
morning when we were OF the cape Of Good
Hops, as we were sailing along with n fresh
breeze right aft, in sight Of Table mountain,
at the entrance OF the harbor OF Cape Town,
with Cape Legullas about twenty miles
distant on the port bow.
A close lookout was constantly kept, and
before long. smoke, as II coming from Q
steamer close under the land, apparently
bound to the eastward, was reported Soon
her hull appeared in sight, and by the aid
Of glass made out that she was low,
| rakish- looking craft, neither like n man-of-
war nor a merchant steamer, but at the
TO tell definitely what she was Under tho
circumstances it made me feel very sus-
picioux
In few moments she discovered US. a.
was evident by her altering her course and
steering directly toward US, at tho same
time hosting the American flag. felt that
it must lie tins famous Alabama, and that
we would be safer out Of her company. But
il was Gaze Of sails and steam combinoi
against sails alone The steamer was closing
up with u.s. and presently her signals, ask
ing What ship is that" could be read
hoisted the American Tag; feelin, certain
that the steamers captain would not 10
deceived in the BULL and appearance Of my
vessel any more than was in his and, II
was to be taken, would ny my own flag
to the last The steamer then hoisted the
signals. ~Heave to; want to speak you,"
but instead of complying with this request,
l hauled my ship about four points 10 the
southwark, bringing the wind ON our
quarter, and made all sail, which increased
our speed from eight to ten kLo;s per hour.
Seeing this evolution, the steamer threw of
all disguise, hauled down the stars and
stripss," hoistsd the stars and bars, and
fired a sho. directly at Us, but the
distance was. too great, and 1t fell far
snort lEcu Tue sfuokt tOiftInructSl kS5uf
out Of the steamers funnel in heavy, black
volumes, all sail Was made, and the chase
began
SLOWLY But SURELY GAINING on Us
Slowly and surely the steamer kept gain
ing on US, sanding shot after shot from
their forecastle gun, but all fell short
SbC was now about three miles as;ern,
rolling and pitching into the sea, which was
every minute growing heavier and heavier,
tho spray flying over at times 50 almost
to hide her from sight, The sea striking Us
abeam would wet Us from stern to stern and
send the spray up to the very tops The in
tense excitement and anxiety fc.t a. this
moment are more easily imagined than
described
At intervals strong flaws OF wind 10
tokened gallo at hand Already the wind
had increased Our distance from the
steamer hal isssenei, she now only
about a mile astsrn, occasionally shot
from her forccastle gun came over or near
US They hoped to disable the ship in spars
or rigging. but their aim was uncertain,
owing to the heavy ssa However. more
than once thsir shot went through sails and
rigging, fortunately doing no material
damage Noticing commo,ion ON deck, I
called the mate TO ascertain the Gauss. He
informed me that the crew were frightened,
or pretended TO bs, at tbs Shots from the
privateer, and expressed determination %
take in sail and let the Alahama como up
with US TO prevent further risk Of their
lives Fortunately ! had good officers
on whom 1 could rely. | ordered them 70
get their revolvers, and told tho steward 10
get mine. Then, mustering the crew on
the quarter deck, told item they were en-
gaged in a seriou, mut;ny, and the first man
who refused duty or attempted u Interfere
with the orders of my officers would b. shot
OF the spot They realized tn. situation
AMI promised Obedience
Half tho afternoon was gone The sc
was rising all the time, and both ships
strained heavily as they rolled TO wind
ward with the press o; canvas they were
carving Tbs steamer could NO longer
stand the strain, and In came her light sails.
When saw this felt sure OF sscaps
IL the wind would only hold its strength
We therefore took in our sky sails and
royals. and the ship felt easier-in fact, Nc
could not have carried them much longer
any how. for tho wind increased and blew
in fitful gu,ts, sure sign gale was brew
ing The sea cuntiuued n rise. and ! nov
felt safe in kse;ing the ship OF coupe Of
poina, to bring the wind and go our
quarter. The steamer followed my exam
pie. 10th vessels rushing through the watsr
At their highest rate of speed. and both do
ing their level best But she no longer
ssinci on IA
SUMMONS TO SURRENDER
kept OF dad before the wind GO our
course-dus east This brOugh; the steamer
atcsm. sbe alf~ring bsr cours. we did,
hoping t. keep us ia sight until the wind