Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-02
THE RICHMOND DIsPATCH-SUNDAY SEPTEMBER o 1855

de6antly displayed, had cleared the bar,
and as the commander OF the Brooklyn
beheld her gliding through tho water
bound for the open sea he appeared TO
divest himself OF the indifference and
lethargy which up to that moment had
characterized bis movements. 1t is
possible that he may have realized
the mistake he had made in afford
ing Semmes the very opportu-
nifty he had so ardently been watch
ing for. A full head Of steam was
ordered, oil hands we're called. every
available stitch OF canvas crowded upon
the frigale, and the progress of the
chase watched with intense interest but,
strange to relate, not gun was cast
loose, the bow-chasers remained mute
and inactive, while Captain Poor walked
the starboard side OF the quarterback,
convinced that his chances of capturing
the privateer we're lessening with each
moment Of delay.
developed in clouds OF snow-whlte
canvas, the noble frigste careening TO the
freshening breeze, with weather rigging
taut as bars Of iron. aud tough spars
cracking meath the terrible tension, the
Brooklyn was doing her best TO over
take her puny antagonist. lacks,
sheets, braces. and bowlines had been
attended to, until no improvement allow
and aloft was possible. But the good
old frigate had been q long time in COM
mission, her bottom was foul, while boil
ers and machinery we're sadly IN need OF
repairs. She had been taken at dis
advantage and was losing the prize
which six months earlier would have
been hers with scarce On effort.
il furious squat, common to the latl-
tude and location, swept suddenly down
upon the frisate. Sail Was reduced,
while the mist and obscurity were so
great that the lookouts could distinguish
nothing dozen yards in advance OF tho
vessel. For fear OF grounding, running
headlong upon some shoal or hidden
mud lump, which off the great delta are
frequently the creation Of night, the
speed Of the frigate was lessened. At
tae same instant tho sharp ro,r and hiss
of escaping steam as it rushed through
the escApe-pipe testified TO the enor-
nous pressure there VAS upon the boil
ers below. Finally the Brooklyn was
stopped altogether, remaining SO until
the squall had passed over.
The Sumter was revealed some dis
lance ahead, going ike race horse, and
slowly increasing her lead. 1t bad fallen
dead calm after the fury Of the squall
had subsidized, the Brooklyn's canvas was
useless, and the result Of the stern chase
a foregone conclusion. There was still
a good lighting chance, taking into con-
sideration all that is to DO left to the
chapter of accidents, for in yscht-raclDg,
blockade-running and trials OF speed
generally upon the water verdicts should
be reserved until victory has been as
sured by actual success
Again the wind ruifed the broad ex-
panse of the Gulf, all esil was made,
and as the breeze freshened, officers and
men INDUCED in hopes OF yet capturing
the rakish southern craft. Stronger
and stronger piped the fsyoring gales.
the swelling canvas beliied forth, the
sheets tugged and recipients beat a tat
too as the vast eIpanse swelled suddenly
forth, and the giistenlng spray flew high
above the weather cathead. Meath tue
mighty bows of the frigste rolled of a
mass OF surging foam, causing the hearts
Of all TO beat high with renewed hope
as tho frigate perceptlbly qulckened her
pace. This was about o'clock Z. Nj.
No. not all for at that supreme mo-
ment, at the very turning-polnt Ia the
frigates fortune, the commander ordered
the helm to be put hard a-stsrbosrd and
the chase abandoned. There was no APP
peal. no questioning the right or wrong
embodied in the order. The captain was
king. his word law, and obedience to the
very letter o foregone conclusion. The
BROOKLYN went around and was headed
for her distant anchorage, her blockadlng
station. where now there was nothing
TO watch. Amusement, wonder, not IN
mixed with rage, were depicted upon the
features Of tho Brooklyn's crew, but not
q murmur was heard, and every man was
quick and obseryaut in the discharge OF
bis duties as before. Discipline with
them was a part of their very existence,
and to question the order OF a superior
would would have been viewed as falling
little short of mutiny. Indignation and
disappointment ranked IN many a
breast on board the conduct OF Cap
tain Poor was considered strange, TO say
the least, but comment and criticism
were stided.
The old anchorage wasreached at last,
and it was only after repeated urging
from the higher officers that Captain Poor
was prevailed upon to report the facts to
the flag officer at Pensacola. A boat was
sent to the gunboat Massachusetts dig
patching her at once with the lniorma-
ton that the Sumter had escaped.
The evening that succeeded the chase
was clear, bright, and beautiful. The
wind had been lulled to rest, and as the
sun declined in the west it left behind a
train of gorgeous and eyer-changing
color. the brilliant tints trending DER the
dancing waters Of the Gulf. MyrlAds Of
stars peeped forth from the ornament
above to find reflection in the waters
below, while the mysterious comet, its
blazing. ecintillating tail extending far
across the heavens, lent an additional
weird charm to the lovely scene. And
tho priyateer sailed on through the dark
ness, bound on her errand OF war.