The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-04
A BLOCKADE RUNNER.
THE CAPTURE AND KBCAPTURE OF
THE EMILY SAINT Pierre.
How She Was Run Down by Federal
Man-of.War and Then Retaken BY I've
from the Prize Crew.

OF Charleston harDor aDout hhiuhibhe'
She was heavily laden with cotton, the
cargo being consigned to the rich cotton
firm, Trenholm. Frazer &. Co, Liverpool.
The boat was the property OF Hon.
George A. Trenholm. then Secretary or
the Treasury. Confederate States. and
senior member Of the liverpool firm. She
was named Emily ST. Pierre, for the
beautiful daughter Of Hon. George A.
Trenholm and sister of Colonel William
Trenholm, now OF New York
Captain Wilson was a reckless, daring
man, and would risk any danger. II II
promised TO reward him with plenty OK
money. Mr.. Trenholm had made a most
liberal contract with him, and pledged
beside a heavy percentage from the pro-
ceeds OF the sale of the cotton. in case
the Emily st. Pierre, should elude the
vigilance OF the Federal men Of war that
guarded the Atlantic coast. and land the
cotton on Trsi holm q F'razer's wharf
at Liverpool.
The adventurous captain met with no
accident until ne gained the high seas
In mid-ocean. he was seen flying the
Union Jack. by one of the most powerful
war vessels of the Federal navy, ana
sgnalled 10 stop.
Although the Emily st. Pierre carried
a few guns, and could have defended
herself against more Significant enemy
her captain decided 10 take the chances
Of safety i'm flight. Every sail was uh'
furled and every effort made 10 Instance
the rapidly approaching man OF war
which from the start had the anVah'asc
Of wind and position.
When Captain Wilson saw that the cap
ture was inevitable, he received has
caDtors on board the Emily ST. Pierre
with all q Frenchman's suavity. the
crew with the exception of the steward
"a big burly fellow. and Captain Wilson,
were Immediately transferred to the man
Of war. and sent ~ Washington as prison.
ers.
Two officers and thirteen sailors were
left on the Emily St. Pierre, which was
to follow in the wake Of the man OF
war. with its valuable cargo.
4 slight storm at sea separated the
two boats. and they soon lost sight OF
each other. The man OF war reached
Washington safely, and waited many
DAYS in vain for news Of the Emily 81
Pierre.
The storm had driven the latter boat
some distance out OF the usual track, ana
the young officers won by the urbanity
OF the polite prisoner, Captain wilson
sought his advice in managing the heaVi-
Iv-laden boat. which he had so recently
commanded. Wilson became so popular,
and showed such perfect knowledge on
the ocean. that his captors allowed MN
unrestraned freedom. and often sent
him with an order 10 the sailors.
No notice was taken of the steward
who continued 10 perform his ordinary
duties. Nor did IL seem al all singular
20 the young Federal officers that cap
tain Wilson should spend every moa' III
OF his time whiting pieces OF wood.
After a few days the willy captain and
the young officers became appareh'ly
very warm friends Captain Wilson was
allowed TO carry his revolvers. and TO
continue mis- singular habit Of whiting
necessarily. unmolested
But one day the steward was amazed
10 see Captain Wilson approach MIN.
nut a cooked pistol al his mead ana
saw. you can take your choice. ana
stand by me and the Trenholms, or die.
with your assistance. | can ana VIII
retake this boat. Pledge IL. or I'll blow
your brains out this Instant The stew
ard. whose fidelity 10 his former EN-
ployers. Wilson thought he could depehu
upon, agreed to every thing wilson de-
handed.
lie was left heavily armed. 10 guard a
certain entrance while Wilson went into
the commanding officers cabin. He FOUND
that official seated, and studying
chart. He walked in. and before an out
cry could be made. he slipped sag on
The Federal captain and secured II. he
repeated the performance with the second
officer and left them both securely bound
and s,peechless. to tell his success TO the
steward. Sixteen strong. but rudely made
gags. were the result OF wilson's per-
sistent whiting.
With the utmost self-possession he went
I'm quest Of the thirteen sailors telling
the steward 70 be near the hatchway' IN
case ne needed assistance. lie ordered
the sailors 70 descend one by one, ana
toid them. the captain had asked him TO
supcrintend some Work 10 De zone III the
hold Of the shin.
A. nc had been the bearer Of orders TO
them before. they unques iOningly obeyed
him AS the last one slipped down the
hatchwav. he fastened il securely, and
hold them unarmed. and helpless prison
ers He managed TO communicate with
them with the stewards assistance, ana
told them plainly what he had done
promised TO feed them and land them III
Ifverpool. ray them increased wages
and set them free, If they made no dis
turbance If they resisted he would use
the advantage ne held over them, ana
shoot them without mercy
They could do nothing but submit.
Two heavily armed and desperate men
were above them. and could nave easily
carried out the threat. Captain wilson
and the steward made the hatchWay
doubly secure and returned. 10 find the
officers almost dead from suifocation,
The gags having been tied on too tightly
CAPTAIN Wilson removed the gags, re-
,lved them. arologized for the desperate
measures his position forced him 10
ad0uf. and left them i'm separate cabins.
sacu-clv bound He had in one hour
r4fapturod the Emily 81. Pierre. ana had
determined 10 make anotne- eifort 10
lara her costly cargo on Trenholm x
Frazers wharf After TWO or three
sleealess DAYS and nights. for II required
tie constant labor Of Captain Wilson and
lhe steward 10 manage the boat, and at
tend The fifteen prisoner. they secured
bv bribes and threats, the assistance OF
two OF the sailors.
After a lorg and perlious voyage the
Emily ST. Pierre. was towed into Tren-
holm 4 Frazer's wharf at Liverpool,
and before the cotton was landed the
liberated prisoners had spread the news
of their marvellous recapturc all over
the city.
4 mob. shouting. Rule Brittania'
and the southern Marseilaise," marched
through the streets 10 welcome the Emily
81. Pierre. which boldly Haunted the
Confederate flag, with the Union Jack
the Liverpool Mercury devoted IT'S
6rst mage TO the exploit. Invitations from
the English nobility. begging the bold
captain to become their guest, poured IN
upon him.
The cotton was sold al enormous profit.
4 syndicate Of liverpool merchants made
up a purse and ordered a swift vessel
90 be made. which they presented win
their compliments to Captain wilson.
In this vessel ne made one or two sue