Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-19
ON THE sNAPoRAeoM.
Career of Capt. Otway Burns. War of
lSl2-Buried at Beaufort
(New Bern Journal0

which they espouse.
The war against Great Britain was
declared on the 18th OF June, 1872.
capt. Otway Burns, OF Beaufort y. C.. |
q native OF Onslcw county. this State.
enlisted in the United states service as
a privateer. His personal bravery dur
ms the war was wonderful. He never
performed deeds OF Vaior under excite
ment, but acted with such coolness and
daring courageous to comma nd the adj
iairation OF ali concerned.
While the United States were very
successful on The high seas in several
engagements. IL was the priVateerS
when were fitted out under letters OF
marque that did the most damage to
English commerce., ANA during the
first seven months OF the war Cant.
Otway Burns. III the priNateer Snap
dragon. captured two barkS. five briggs
anu three schooncrs. with valuable car
goes estinla ted at one million dollars
and two hundred and nfty prisoners.
The prizes taken were generally carried
inio the nearest American port and sold
with whatever carsOes they had, ON
one occasion dispute arose between
Captain Burns. of the Snapdragon
and Captain Alnlida. of the brig Kemp.
about division of the proceeds of the
sale of valuable vessel ANA cargo. To
put an end 10 the discussion the fiery
Burns challenged Captain Amida 10
fight him a yard arm duel at sea.
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
The challenge was accepted: each
vessel got under way ana sailed FOR
the appointed place Of meeting, but
while manOuverinS for position some
OF the enemys merchant vessels hove
in Stgnt. They stopped the dispute
and each captured a Valuable prize,
and the dispute was never renewed
asnin, hstors The MAR closed on De
married Miss Janeeiiall. OF Beaufort.
A. c.. where he built a fine residence
and resided there twenty-five years.
during which time he represented Car
teret county in the Legislature of this
state for twelve years. from 1921 to
1884. as Democrat. lie was d man of
liberal and patriotic views and IL leader
in every public and private work Tor
tho benefit and prosperity of the peo-
pie. He declined recollection in 1885 and
accepted an appointment as keeper OF
the "Brant Island shoal light boat"
in Pamlico Sound y. c.. rendered him
by Andrew Jackson, President OF the
United States in 1885. which position
he held until his death. Mt a salary of
$500 Il year.
BUILT y STEAMBOAT
In about 1920 he built by contract the
steamboat "prometheus. a, Beaufort,
\. c. for company in Wilmington.
y. G., the FIRST ever on the Cape Fear
! river. to ply between Wilmington and
/ SmlthVille now Southport X. c. When
! finished Thomas N. Cau,ier was The
| captain and John Snyder was the engi-
| neer- The speaking trumpet was used
| in the place Of ben wires. as ii these
GAYS. TO convey signals 70 the engine
room. When the captain wanted TO
| give the steamer moro speed he would
80 near the engine room ccor ana
| speak throush = trumpet 20 the enei-
| neer below, Give II to her SNYDER
which has been a bve-word ever since.
While the steamboat has been much
/ improved unon, tho family name Of the
CAPTAIN and engineer have long since
been extinct in this county
In 1923 Caps. Otway Burns built tho
brig Warrior and in 1881 he built the
brig Henry.
The timbers were OF stnunch live oak.
which came from Shackalford's and
! Bogue banks, both Of which werc on
| gagged In tha West India and coastwise
! trade, which were prof'ahla at that
time. He also built Il small two mast
/ sail boat ana named her the "Srap-
/ dragon and put n center board" in
/ her. the first aver known in this coun-
try. She could heat my boat IN Core
/ sound sailing. His wife dicl at Beau
fort and he moved to Portsmouth. n
| g.. and soon after his apnointinent 10
| The light hoat I've built reeieioncn
there and on February 22d 1912 no
| married Miss Jane Smith. of smyrna
! ~ 9. They lived ut Portsmouth ana
| she preceded him 10 the grave hut y
short time. Can't Oiway Burns va
| hold i'm high estecm hv the rco,,e ar
! this state. Tho town of Burnsy;lle
was named in his honor.
DIED At PORTSMOUTH,
He died in the service of the Unitcd
| states government at Portsmouth. n.
| c.. on October 26th. lSl7. and was bur
led at Beaufort, y C. There is no
tombstone to mark his resting place.
| lie was faithful officer OF this GOV
| ernnent. and it would be proper; for
| Congress to cut off some of it's extrav-
aSant appropriations, and make an an
| proprlation to erect a tombstone 10
mark the resting place OF Captain
| otway Burns. who served This row
eminent so long and faithfully.
portsmouth at that time was n port
OF elrry, and a town of two sounds
and many rivers, and was tho com
mercial center of Eastern North Car
Dina, which contained it's public build
ings, churches, and nice residence,
and n population of about 1000 in
hahitants. II WAS the popular sum
mer resort for North Carolina where
| people went for pleasure ana recrea
| ton. But its public buildings and nice
residences have passed away. Tie
daily feet of the merchants vessels aud
lighters nj the 'swash" and The
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