The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-04

ever before the opportunity presented itself
A. already mentioned the Brooklyn was nc
that time Hluckadiug Pass a l0utTe while the
FdewHep lrigate Powbaian. Lieut.. d. ID.
Porter commanding, was doing the same at
Southwest Pass One morning strange sail
WIS reported 10 scaward ly the lookout on the
Brook Iyu. which vessel immediately gave chase.
NO sooner did SCmmcs see the Brooklyn stand
ing out tn sen than he picked up his anchor
and started for the bar The Brooklyn bad
gone about 20 miles 10 seaWard when the Sum
Ter was discovered coming down the river.
The cha.r 90 seaWard WAS now given up, and
the Brooklyn went about and stood IN ior the
bar Tor the purpose % heading of the steamer
coming ouL The two vessels were az about au
equal distance from the bar the advantage
however being with the Sumter, she having
q iour-m De current with her, while the Brook
Ign bad it against her. The natural result was
that the Sumter crossed the bar while the
Brooklyn was yet four miles of. And now
commenced one Of the most exciting chases 0f
ihe war. The sumter spread every inch Of her
canvas. aud went of before moderate breeze.
The Brooklyn following Ia her wake with
every stitch Of her canvas--irum main 10 rUval
set and drawing well aud was Teoiiug OF 10
knots
The chase continued for about two hours.
when terrific rain-storm came Up, which hid
both vessels from each other willie il lasted,
but when it cleared up sn hour later, il was
apparent 30 all that the beautiful cOrvet had
eTept up nearly mile This fact convinced
bcmmet tnat unless be changed his tactics
his CHANCES FOR ESCAPE
would be very slim. The Sumter's course was
slightly changed, she going Of right ID the
wind's eye the Brooklyn doing likewise bat
as she Wa not a. good q sailor 10 wiudwaTd as
the little sumter, she Was compelled 10 luI hef
royals aud topsais, which somewhat slaekemcd
her speed. and Tor q snort time the Sumter
gained .igAtly. Again she changed her course
aud again The Brooklyn bcgaH 10 overhaul her
and brought her within range 0f tie chase gun
but not O shot WAS fred. Gradually the Brook
5yn drew nearer, when suddenly the wind
lreshcuCd. Again the Sumter hauled close %
The wind. the Brooklyn attempting 10 do like.
wise but was compelled 10 keep Of a couple OF
points, which enabled The sumter 10 hold Lel
Owl, but sllli within range Of the chase guu
but 40 order % open Ere was given, which was
% FAY Doe least, very annoying 60 the crew O
the Brooklyn, Who already felt that a snug
ltilc sum Oi prize money WIS within thuil
grasp. suddenly every old tar was taken com
IIltE ab4CE when the order came forward
from tAe quarter deck 10 stand by 10 fur
sail. aud u less than Eve minutes the Brook
lyH was pursuing the chgsC under bare poles
still another surprise was iH store f0r thl
already much disappointed crew, for in los
than lD minutes the bglm was put haTd-a
port and tue Brooklyn went about and stoo,
ln toward iAc Pass, which lad long ago dis
appeared.
THE CHASE ABANDONED
when every man on board was beginning 1
congratulate himself at the splendid pruslpc
iOr "a snug lliilC sum Of prize money. Ncyc
WIS ssl Is crow more disappointed than wa
that oi lle Brooklyn, and could Commando
Poor Iaye heard Tire uucomplimeutarv rt
maIlE which were hurled Bt hIs bead Le WouI
laFe bad mUIc than JwO-tHiTds OF tie crew 4
lTous iOr attempting DO rlHo "a mutiuy. Som
oi the more outsUoken jack tar9 boldly aescrts
that tic Commander Was iu sympathy viii
sammes, and allowed linn 10 escape Tl
gained considerable ground when some CO..
among tho crow gave lt ont that they ha
sailed cruise together DO years previous @
whether true or not, tho writer Us not prepare
10 say
The Eroolyn returned 20 her station. wai
The sumter proceeded ou hoF way 10 carry or
Aero.oUn 0iuu. sIull, on capture every shi
on thc iEh aca found sailing under tie staI
and Stripes"
Wcnil not follow her career uf.er her ua
row escape from the Brook vn. Suffice ID
say lhHl HcI career as pryatrcr ended DO d.
Bay oi Gibraltar within Six months 0l her d
paItuTc lTgm Now Ofl,aus during which t.u
she destroyed or captured Do hclplcss aHd M
offending merchantmen.
The sumter was sold in Gibraltar 20 an EpI
hsh company, who converted Ler into a bloclzsf
runner making several successful ventures
that line. Shortly after tho war closed sho nl
her death on reef in the China Sea- All m
crew but Two WerC lost The crew Of Tie Sulnl