The National tribune., 1895-06-20

2
board some 600 passengers about one-haf OF
these being women and children, Capt. Semmes
ransonea her allowing Capt. Jones to proceed
on his VOYAGE The Alabama is lying in wait
for the treasure steamer from Aspinwall. j
have nothing in port suitable to send after her.
The Ariel lett the treasure which was to come
by her on the isthmus.
am respectfully, your obedient servant
THEoDoRUs BAILEY,
Acting Rear Admiral.
Acting Rear Admiral CHARLES Wilkes, Com
mauding West India Squadron.
Here is the report of Commodore
Sartori, L. S. Navy, captured on the
packet steamer Ariel:
PACKET STEAMER ARIEL, OFF SANDY Hook,
Dec 81, 1862
SIN: 1t becomes my painful official duty TO
inform the Department of the capture of this
steamer on board OF which j was passenger
under your order 10 report 10 Resr-Admiral
Charles II. Bell for command in the Pacihc
Squadron She was taken possession Of by the
steamer Alabama off Cape Mhysi Cuba, on the
afternoon Of the 7ih instant, on her seaward
rassare from New York to Aspinwall under the
following circumstances:
1t apnears that as the Ariel rounded Cape
fving the IT, s. flag: that litte attention was
maid 10 her nntil she appeared TO be heading
toward this vessel, when Capt. Jones. CON-
maading the Ariel made all speed. i. how
ever, knew nothing about this until about las
u. m when one of the officers OF the Ariel
came into the cabin where we we're dining and
reported that the
ALABAMA WAS CLOSE UPON Us.
Immediately jumped to the deck and beheld
rgnO. = go 1t,nf
flying and having Just fired a gun. Maj. Gar
land, commanding detachment Of marines.
Messengers on hoard bound for California, had
them formed in the cangway. j at once saw
that nothing conld be done. She WAS upon the
Ariel with a heavy broadside fully presented.
Capt. Jones seeing the utter impossbility of
defending his vessel or iujuring the enemy in
Bny wsv. with my advice and advice OF all the
passengers. surrendered his ship.
The Alabama was not over 300 yards on the
quarter and was training her guns for fuil
broadsilc which If fred must have done ter |
rife slaughter among our 200 passengers near
ly half of when were women and children. !
Immediate possession was taken Of the Ariel. ]
Several officers and number Of armed men
were sent on board. Capt. Jones was taken TO
the Alabafsa with all the ships papers.
He soon returned and reported that the Off
GERS and marines would lie paroied and that
everyone wouls be landed, probably San
Domingo and the vessel and cargo would be
DESTROYED. Capt. Semmes would not accept
bonds offered him ly Capt Jones He demand ]
ed and took from the Ariel all moneys belong
snv 10 the vessel and on the freight list.
Parole was rendered 10 the officers and ma- /
rjnes for the obrious reason that he had no |
ether means of disposing Of them; and, feeling /
that the comfort and safety if not the lives, Of
the multitude on board depended in great /
measure on acceptance, VIC accepted the |
terms offered and gave up our swords The |
Ariel was detained until about 1890 p. m. on /
the 9lh instant. in al Sc hours. Capt Semmes |
had on the night OF the Sth. sent word that he /
intended TO land ali the passengers al Kingston,
Jamaica. and We had been sieaming toward /
that point,
CLOSELY CoNyoTED
by the Alabama. When off Morant Light /
house. tho vessels were hove TO for daylight |
But about 10 o'clock passing sail WAS boarded
by the Alabama, from which material informs-
tion must have been received by Capt Semmes:
for be soon sent for Capt. Jones. demanded and
received heavy bonds took from the Ariel his 4
officers and men. aud left her free 10 proceed 4
TO AspinwaI. This was IL p. M. OF the 9Th. /
The Alabama left rs under sail. standing to /
the northward BY my advice Capt. Jones |
kept the Ariel hove to until daylight. when he |
sent letter addressed 10 the owner OF the /
Ariel TO be forwarded. and ] addressed com
munication TO our Consul at Kingston, copy
of which / herewith inciose. We reached
Aspinwsll On the night Of the 18th instant,
and on the 18th / reported TO Admiral Bell /
and received from him an order, q copy OF
which inciosc.
The Ariel left Aspinwall on the morning of /
the 10th. and. by the advice of many. including 4
our Minister nj Bolivia and COnsuls at Panama
and Aspin wall, the treasure not taken
board. We pursued a course along the coasts
Of Honduras ald Nicaragua, giving San An
tonic W lds berth I; anchored fer few hours
at Key West on the ped, when gave Admiral
Bailey all necessary information and explained
the Necessity OF disFRtching vessel of to
Aspinwall TO convoy the next steamer from
there. otherwise the accumulated treasure
wouk not be shipped.
I shall proceed ut once to Washington and
report in person az the Department. 20 enable
you 30 have every particular Of this lawless
piracy
have the honor TO remain, very respect
fully, your obedient servant.
/. e. SARToBI. Commander.
EoT. C NELLns Secretary of the Navy
Washington, ID. C.