The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-04-09
TAKING THE CHESAPEAKE.
Piratical Seizure by Supposed Passengers
and Subsequent Recapture.

cal seizure of the steamer Chesapeake during
the civil war created for the time being the
greatest activity in naval circles, and Its re-
capture by the u. S. gunboat Malvern in
| British waters almost led to an open copflici
between our Government and that of Great
! Britain.
In November, 1868, q party of about &C
persons all foreigners, and evidently In
sympathy with the South, met at New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and conceived the
brilliant scheme of what they were pleased to
term raid on the Yankee commerce. Capt
| John Parker, British subject, formerly
Commander of the privateer Retributfon,
seemed to be the leading spirit of the move
ment, and was believed to be its real aushor,
but the plan of campaign as determined upon
was entrusted 10 John c. Braine. Neither
Parker nor Braine were citizens of the United
States. and acted on their own responsibility.
without authority whatever.
Braine, who styled himself Lieutenant,
succeeded in getting II others to act with
him in the enterprise. They proceeded to
New York City, and, disguised as passengers,
embarked on the steamer Chesapeake, OF
the Cromwell line, which ran between New
York and Portland, Me- Their passage
money was paid 10 the Captain, and the
steamer left New York Saturday evening,
Dec. 5, 1863. All went well until, Monday
morning, Dec. 2, about 2 a. m, the vessel
being then 20 miles off Cape Cod, Braine
and his party, who were heavily armed, took
forcible possession of the steamer. The
Captain was put in irons, the Engineer In
charge was killed, aud his body thrown
overheard.
The remainder of the crew and few
passengers on board were declared to be prls-
Oners TO the Confederate States Of America.
or course, under the circumstances, they
surrendered without any ceremony.
Capt. Isaac Wiilet, of Brooklyn, N. T.,
who commanded the Chesapeake, was robbed
of all his cash also, the ships papers, coast
ing license, and cargo manifest The oTig-
nal crew were landed at ST. Johns, n. B.,
leaving Braine aud his party in charge of
the steamer and cargo. They proceeded
to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, where part of
the valuable cargo was disposed of and the
vessels name was changed.
Braine on learning that some gunboats
were in pursuit of him put again to sea, and
called at Sambro, small harbor near Hall
fax, it being his intention 10 procure sup
ply of coal and then proceed 10 Wilmington,
n. C., by running the blockade of that port.
Meantime the Governor OF Massachusetts,
under date of Dec. 8, 1863, telegraphed to
the Navy Department as follows:
Seventeen rebels in disguise shipped ss passen-
gers board The steamer Chesapeake nj New
York. bound for Portland, last Saturday afternoon
On Sunday last they seized the steamer. ptraiicay
murdered some officers sent other officers crew,
and passengers TO 81. Johns. New Brunswick. III u
boat Chesapeake then sailed I'm casierly direc
ton. and will probably Try TO capture steamer
which leaves Portland To-day. j pray immediate
fssiar tn In oha fFnN
town and other Navy yards and that The proper
requsition be made The British Governments
for the pirates should they be found within Bril-
tSignedl JOHN A. ANDREW,
Governor of Massachusetts
As soon as these facts became known at
the Navy Department all the available YES
sells at Charlestown Mass J, Brooklyn my J,
and Philadelphia Pa, Nayy-yards were
ordered in pursuit of the Chesapeake.
Under these instructions there put to sea
the Niagara, Acacia Malvern, Agawam,
Cernubia, Dakotah, Grand Gulf, Sabage,
Ticonderogs, Vicksburg. and two steamers
furnished for the purpose by Messrs. Crom-
well q Co., of New York, which were armed
and manned at the Brooklyn Navy yard.
With such q force it was plainly evident
that the capture of the Chesapeake was only
question of time
The Collectors Of the Ports Of New York,
Boston, Portland, Eastport, and the Consul
at Halifax were promptly notified Of the
Chesapeake affair, and her escape seemed
impossible.
Notwithstanding the fact that the pirates
had changed the name of the vessel, in order,
If possible, to escape to sea, the Govern
ment was in some manner kept informed of
her movements, and learned that on Dec. 10
she was at Pubnico Harbor, near Cape
Sable. Two gunboats were promptly dis
patched to that place, only to find the
Chesapeake gone. Other places alosg the
coast were visited by our cruisers. The
blockading squadron off Cape Fear River
was notified of the affair, with strict orders
to watch any suspicious steamer appearing
in that vicinity. The utmost CONSERVATION
prevailed for the time being in naval aud
maritime circles generally, but fortunately
it was of short duration.
One week after the seizure Of the Chesa-
peake the gunbeat Malvern, Capt. ]. +.
Nickles, discovered the vessel at anchor at
Sambro Harbor, and took possession Of her,
with such part Of her cargo as had not been
disposed OF by the pirates On approach Of
our guuhoat the crew escaped from the
Chesapeake by means OF small boats, leaving
only three men on board, who were promptly
removed TO the Malvern as prisoners.
Capt Nickles put prize crew On board
the Chesapeake, with orders TO take her to
the Navy-yard at Boston and report to the
Commandant. On leaving the hsrhor the
Malvern and her prize crew were met by the
q. S S. Dacotah, Capt. A. G. Cleary, coming
in. Capt. Cleary ordered that, on account
Of the capture having been made in British
waters, the prize should be sent to Halifax,
n. s., and turned over 10 the British
authorities. The steamer was accordingly
taken there, and on Dec. IS delivered to the
custody Of Gen. Doyle, Administrator of the
Government, and his Secretary, Chas Tup-
per.
Notwithstanding the merits Of the case,
the recapture of the Chesapeake in British
waters created a feeling of intense hostility
against the United States Government in the
Province and loud expressions Of sympathy
for the Confederates, in whose behalf Braine
Strange TO say, when the case came before
the Admiralty Court in Halifax the Con-
federacy was represented by specially ap.
pointed agent named j. p. Holcombe.
His claim, however was not recognized
| and no evidence was submitted to show tina,
Braine's party were acting under orders
from any legitimate authority. He claimed
| 10 be acting in the interest OF the Confed
eracy, and expected TO get privateer's com
mission for his vessel in case he succeeded il
getting her safely TO Wilmington, n. C., Il
l.