The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-03-23
ILLEGAL PRIZES.

One morning in May, 1904, a small
brig named the Harrington, command
ed by Mr.. William Campbell, sailed
out between Sydney heads before stiff
westerly breeze bound to the island of
Masafuera, in the South Pacific, to
procure sealskins. Although so small,
the vessel carried a crew of about five
and twenty men and, being a letter Of
marque, was armed in the usual man
ner Of the Australian whalers and south
sea traders of those days-half a dozen
8 Founders and plenty of muskets and
cutlasses The Harrington had for some
time been employed by her owners
Chace & Co. of Madras-in trading be-
tween Madras, the South American
ports and Sydney. On the last occasion
of his leaving Madras Campbell had
taken care to provide himself with a
letter of marque from the presidency of
Fort St. George against France and
Holland
The result of the sealing expedition
was fairly successful but Campbell
himself was not satisfied. At least he
|
day fell in with an American whale
ship the captain of which told him that
war had been declared between Eng
land and Spain. How the American
captain had learned the news Campbell
did not inquire. He quickly returned
on board the Harrington, held brief
consultation with his mate, and altered
the ships course from west by north
for Sydney to due cast for the South
American coast.
81 don't want to waste much time, ,"
he said, ''but there is no harm in our
running along the coast for week or
two. We are pretty sure to pick up
something"
The mate cOncurred, so did the crew,
and week later Campbell did pick up
something-tO wit two Spanish prizes,
q merchantmen and a man-of-war
From the Sydney Gazette we learn that
the merchantmen was manned ST.
Francisco and st. Paulo. She was being
conveyed by the cruiser, which was
named the Estremina, commanded by
Don Antonio Jose del Campo. ensign in
the Spanish navy, out of the ports of
Coquimbo and Caldera on the coast of
Peru
In spite of his long name and title
and the traditional bravery Of his race
the don does not shine to advantage in
this affair, for as soon as the plucky lit
tie Harrington bore down upon him
and his convoy he put his helm down
and steered for the shore, then but a
1o1
to bring him to, crowded ON all sail in
pursuit. but was unable to prevent
both the Estremina-a brig of four
guns-and the convoy from running
ashore. Then, setting fire to both YES
sells, Don Antonio and his gallant men
ran away inland with great unanimity.
But the Harrington was SO close that
Campbell, lowering his boats soon
boarded both ships, and his men extin-
guished the flames before any material
damage was done, and i'll few hours
he had succeeded in floating both YES
sells again. After putting prize crews
on board, the industrious Campbell went
on shore to see if there was anything
else "worth picking up and discov-
cred a quantity of copper bars-a very
valuable commodity. These he secured
without firing shot and then he and
his merry men said goodby to the Span
iards, and with the two prizes in COM
pany set sail for Sydney, highly pleased
at the result of their adventure.
| In due course the Harrington sailed
into Port Jackson, but the level headed
Scotch captain came in alone-the prizes
were not visible. The following day he
was requested by Governor King to
produce his log, and appeared greatly
shocked when the irate governor told
him that he had committed breach Of
neutrality War with Spain was moi
declared until Dec. IL, 1904, and it was
not till January, 1905. that the British
government granted letter of marqut
to any ship, and yet here was this dar
ing merchant skipper committing al
act of war on his own account in Oc
tober!
Now, singular to relate. Campbell
had only been doing on very minol
scale the same thing as had been dom
by the orders of the British cabinet OF
a very large scale in the same fashion
in another part OF the world. though
Of course, neither he nor the angry gov
ernor knew it. The incident is nota
BILE one in naval story: Admiral Corn
wallis (the government having at las
awakened to the veiled hostility o
Spain, and the energetic Pitt havins
succeeded the peaceful Addington) wa
directed to dispatch some frigates t.
intercept and detain until further or
iers the Spanish treasure squadron OF
its way from Montevideo to Cadiz
The lndefatigable, A, the Lively, 3S
Medusa, 40, and Amphion, 40 guns
were sent away as quickly as possible
and, cruising near Cape St. Vincent
tell in with the Spanish feet on Oct
and ordered them to bring to. 0
course the Spanish admiral (Busta
mente) would not submit to be de
tanned and cleared for action. ',e bat
| flo lns,+ N ',or..ly 0a ,,jDiItps an osJ1lt