The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-16
4 REAL SAILORS YARN.
AN UN sUCCEsSFUL SEARCH FOR
A GOLD-LADEN STEAMER.

4Ol4 ny b1O G4GCublNS OuC5E Vi Gn6
Alsbama-An Exciting Engagement
With the United States Steamship
Hatteras In Which the Alabama
Came OF Victorious-Women Keep
Confederate Buttons as Souvenirs.
Prizes Taken by Semmes-One OF
Them Burned-1ts Grew Ransomed.
From the New York World
Through late files Of papers taken from
our captures we learned OF the fitting out
of a formidable expedition for the invasion
of Texas under Gen. Banks, who planned
the transportation of his troops by sea to
the harbor of Galveston. This would nee
essarily require a large feet Of transports,
accompanied by vessels of war as an escort
for protection. The harbor Of Galveston,
as is well known, does not admit of ships of
large size. consequently the feet of trans
ports would be obliged to anchor in the
outer roadstead, and it would take some
time to land troops, horses aud artillery by
lighters of less draught.
Capt. Semmes had planned to intercept
and attack this feet at their anchorage, and
steaming through the midst of them at the
hour OF midnight after a fatiguing days
work, when soundly sleeping, pour in upon
them from both our batteries such q de-
structive fire as to cripple and demoralize
them, If not destroy their entire feet.
The vessels OF war escorting the fleet
would prove poor protection, as we meant
to accomplish cur purpose and be out of
their way before they could get up steam
and pursue us. This was oar object in dis
patching our coalship to tina Areas Keys,
where We propose TO meet her, thoroughly
overhaul our ship, practice our men at
target firing and take III a fun supply of
GOAL before proceeding ourselves to Calves
ton to intercept the expedition.
We shaped our course for Porto Rico, and
passing through the Mona passage sailed
with delightful breezos along the south side
of San Domingo
THE WAIT FOR GOLD.
Before long we reached thu east end Of
Cuba, where the California steamers pass
and rspass on their way to AspinwalI, the
home wardbound steamers bringing in gold
In large quantities. AS it was too soon for
our proposed plan Of attack on the fleet off
Galveston we thought it would be time
well spent to lie in wait and capture Cali
fornia steamer, with millions OF gold being
transported to New York. From this point
we could intercept everything going
through the passage, and did overhaul
many beutL oks Adult OeC- VIC CapJuTel
a little American schooner called the Union,
bound to port in Jamaica. Her cargo
being Of no value, we placed our prisoners
OF the Parker Cook on board and took q
ransom bond. allowing her to proceed on
her voyage.
At this season the atmosphere was so
transparent that we had in constant view
during the day the islands of San Domingo,
Jamaica and Cuba, and at night the brill
liant liOhk IN ha CO ND - 10 rlo
nal by which we could readily hold our
position.
1t was not until Sunday, Dec z, that the
long desired cry of ''Sail no ~ came from the
masthead. When the hail of the officer of
me deck Where away" was made the reply
came Broad on the port bow" and all
visions Visions of California gold vanished
axe the mist Of early morn before the sun
rise IL was the wrong direction for the
nome Tard,bound We were quite con.
SHrned lest 1t should be a vessel of war.
ner rapid approach soon developed her
character, being brig-rigged aud showing a
souu ueal OF hull out OF water. This was
satisfactory evidence that she must be the
Ou11oound steamer for California.
., we ioss no time in gettingup good head
MS steam and preparing the ship for action.
", we hoisted the United States colors, and as
", %e steamer rapidly approached she hoisted
uo same. We now attempted to lay across
S Ssi BOWS, and fred blank cartridge to
bring her to.
ner decks were crowded with passengers
,uen, women and children. Upon report
,,, Me gun they scampered below. The
,ttn no doubt, suspecting our nation
my Increased her speed and steered for
S %s cuban coast to reach the marine league.
w.. o nau the advantage Of US in her head
A., under steam. We gave chase, and
sullng she did not mean to step. we threw
solid shot Just over her decks, which
n leu an excellent shot, taking a chip out
,s. yer toremast This had the desired
N'''' and she stopped instantly.
THE STEAMER ARIEL.
hD "" oss steamed alongside and sent a board
fsno nluoer on her, who soon returned and
frSru ;ea her the American steamer Ariel
hosunIN new York with 500 passengers on
lG, mostly women and children, besides
outto aflnes and some naval officers going
mo- N me Pacific squadron. The Ariel
cante prize difficult to dispose Of, 80 the
ha F,a1 concluded to hold her some days in
trsn,Sl taxing less valuable prize aud,
sbaIoaaaerring the passengers and crew, to be
$50 $50 70 burn this ship. To secure her from
boArj g' however, we sent an engineer on
chinsr,.o lake from her part Of her ma
0'.y thus disabling her.
sion a, BOARDING officer reported all confu-
Upon y; alarm on board among the ladies.
stesme. return to take charge OF the
slranca ~! ue soon quieted them with the as
Womb mat no i'll would befall them, nor
N became ney In any way be moested. They
pourteongg quite reconciled and so won by his