New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-06
Iora 10 rear THIS memorial, and it should do
50 without further delay.
pEOGRESS or THE var.

We had hoped 10 get through the season with
out making any further reference 10 the Mary
land oyster pirate war. but IT, seems that we are
To lie doomed disappointment. The recent
/ engagement on Chester River brought out 50 many
novel features of naval warfare that it seems 10
demand few words. and wc can only offer our
apologies to the reader, and 20 ahead and get
through with it as quickly as possible.
Last Saturday night the Helen Baughman,
the flagship of the Maryland oyster navy. under
command OF Admiral Harvey was slyIy cruising
along Chester River. just of Chesapeake Bay,
tic pirate boat Lightning was discovered reapin@
where it had not sown, of Wicks's Reef The
Helen Banghman, of the Maryland oyster feet
is not an iron-clad. She is. however, very fair
sort of craft, and carries large sail. and it is
said that when tic wind is blowing in the same
direction in which she is striving to go she can
make excellent time. The Lightning is one of
the most dangerous OF the pirate fleet. and her
commander, Captain Kellogg. thinks no more
Of tearing great garden rakefuls of oysters out
Of somebody else's oyster bed than he does Of
eating his breakfast. Nevertheless, when Adj
miraI Harvey sighted the Lightning. instead Of
sailing OIL as if he was out on little oyster
excursion himself. he came boldly up. and in n
deep bass voice called on Pirate Kellogg to
surrender.
But did this shameless oystcr-prate comply !?
Not he--hc whiSl1cd out his pistol and bIazed away
at the Admiral in the darkness and sent bullet
"whistling through his hat" as the dispatch has
il. while another took d" chip off the ear of one
of tie crew. Think of this you men who live
al home AT ease and know nothing Of the mad
dangers of naval warfare. There stood the com
mandcr Of Maryland's forces at sea with hole
through his new silk hat, while a leading member
Of the crew was going about with a corner broke
of his car II was pitch-dork and showing rap
idly. The wind hoWcd through the rigging and
the hole in the Admirals hat The salt waves
dashed high and frozc 10 the decks But the
battle went on. Both sides got out all their guns
and the startled atmosphere above the Chester
River WAS fairly riddcd with bullets. The Adj
uiral plugged up the hole in his hat with little
putty, while the member Of the crew whose ear
was dismautcd put on piece OF couri-plaSt'r and
both stood BY their posts like their great pre-
drccSsor Of last year, Captain Bridges, when the
pirates fired bullets through his chin WHISPERS.
tor long hour this terrible fire with mus(cts
and pocket pistols was kept up. Then Piat" KEEL
logr saw that hc was getting the worst Of H.
There were bullets sticking in tie woodwork all
over i, vessel one Of his cabin windows was
broken. BESIDES, he was sleepy and wanted 10 70
away. lie had forgotten one thing-the cannon
which Admiral Harvey carried. Bat there II stood
on tie deck Of the Helen loughman. black, for
midab'c. forl iddmg,-a foot long Admiral iIar-
>cy loaded IL o. the muzIc with his own hands.
Then came tie s4ork OF discharge The Helen
Eauehmon Icmh,cI and rocked. The crew fell
20 the deck. but the Admiral stood by his post,
having taken the prccaution TO lash himself 10 the
mast The caunop-b,u sped away into tie dark
ness IL struck the LigAtnng's sail aud passed
completely through il. leaving a great hole
,hro. Do which tie wind all escaped Tie Light
n.n. stopped and the Helen Baughman came mp
and tied "a rope To- hcr howsprt and lowed her
away 10 Winchester The greatest battle since
..p;du Bridges was winged III tie WHISPERS WAS
. tair. Of Tie past
Tim, we make history Thus we show foreign
powers what thcy may expect II they ever come
u2 asainst us hy sea. Thus the Mary state
oyster Pirate Navy continues 10 bathe Itself IN