The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-17
CAUGHT BY ALABL
Jamaica Disaster Recalls In
cident of Civil War.
ADVENTURE ON HIGH SEAS
Mai. Hubbard, of Minneapolis, De-
seribes Capture of Steamer by
the Confederate Commerce De-
strOyer Under Admiral Semmes.
One Mixhap saved Them.

One hiShap Saved Them
Apropos Of the recent holocaust at
Kingston, Maj. w. II. Hubbard. Of Min
neapolis says the Tribune. Of that city, is
reminded Of an earthquake of quite an
other nature. which was narrowly averted
in Kingston harbor nearly fifty years
ago
At the time Maj. Hubbard was on board
the prize ship Ariel, which was to have
been blown up in Kingston harbor by the
dreaded Alabama. the foremost battle
ship OF the Confed rate States of America,
which, as commerce destroyer, was
giving Uncle Sam a great deal OF uneasi-
ness just then. The unexpected presence
of two United State battle ships in the
harbor iHterfered with the Alabamas
plans, and the crew Of the dismantled
Ariel were left TO shift for themselves;
but that is getting a bit ahead Of the
story.
The true story Of the capture OF the
Ariel Is best told ia Maj. Hubbards own
language:
Il shipped as "A passenger" said the
major, ION board the good ship ariel
she was an old tub, al that-from New
York bound for Frisco via Aspinwal,
on the isthmus, December ;, 1852, / having
been honorabiy retired from the army on
account Of disability after a years
service. The Ariel was one Of the Wander
bilt line OF merchantmen. plying between
New York and the isthmus. There were
500 passengers in the first and second
cabins, and 800 in the steerage. Also is
officers and $50 marines.
THE last words that were sung out
TO us from the dock as NE steamed down
New York harb0r were: 'DOH't let The
Alabama catch you" And the warming
uttered il jest. was somewhat portentous
20 the more timid ones among US, as the
terror OF the seas was even then a1oat
iaG.cting great damage 20 our merchant
marine as well as war ships.
Il rccoilect that each of us was as
sessed $50 in gold TO make the trip TO
the isthmus and that was a lot Of money
in war time. The Ariel was a very rickety
affair. which should have been condemned
long before We got aboard II made but
eight knots an hour. TWO tables were
set for the first and second cabins. and
we all ate in the same saloon. Dinner
for the first cabin commenced at - and
was through at 2:59 while the second
cabin passengers didn't get through eating
until / O'Clock.
Took Outside Passage.
I'VE took what was called the outside
passage. around the east end OF Cuba. and
had ara uneventful voyage until noon OF
the first Sunday out. The first OF the
nTst cabin was then being served. and ve
were about ten miles of shore, Cuba be-
ing plainly visible.
Il was standing on the port side, just
abaft the paddle box. when I saw. turning
the poiut what appeared 70 be mer-
chant ship. a bark clipper rugged, with
the American flag. flying at the MAIN
mast. The vessel was about four miles
or. and as pretty d ship as ! ever saw.
She WAS darling. When two miles sep
arJted Us. / saw her telescope smoke
stack rise Up and simultaneously. from
her bow chaser. which had been covered.
a blank cartridge was discharged At the
same time down came the stars and
Stripes and up went the Stars and Bars
Of the Southern Confederacy. They had
shown their true colors.
Her batteries had been masked but
her port batteries were now disclosed =
lady who was standing near me at the
same time exclaimed. That must De q
sigraiH Without stopping 20 think Of the
possible effect upon my fair companion. I
replied. You are quite right, madam; IL
is the Alabama"
"The effect Of that magic word was
such as 20 make the lady promptly keel
over. Ny first concern was to carry her
70. a.
cOmpaEi0n-Way 20 tie saloon. where the
first cabin was then AT dinner. and bawled
out: Capt. Smith, the Alabama S got usT
'He jumped up the comp3r.0u-way and
Tan aft. where there Was-a chain ladder
running 10 the hurricane deck. I followed
as rapidly as possible. He made for the
pijot-house and shouted TO the pilot: Run
her"
Tried 10 Get Away.
1.-THE pilot brought the Ariel about and.
making eight knots TO the Alabama s
fourteen we apparently undertook TO
make a getaway From our port TO our
starboard side swiftly came the Alabama,
the finest ship that sailed the seas. When
within 60 yards Of US when we could
plainly make out the men on board, she
fired two shots. One lo0-pound projectiIe
Whirrcd across our bows. while a 6S-pound
shot struck the foremost squareIy eight
feet above the pilot-house and il went by
the boards in d jiffy. To this day I can
see the old man'-Capt. Smith. I mean
hanging on TO his ears. completely be
wildered and dazed by the 'windage' Of
the BAH.
THE mate then ordered the pilot 20
stop her and, running aft pulled down
our flag The Ariel promptly laid to. and
two bodtiOads of sailors and officers soon
came aboard us.
An irate and rather apOplectic San
Francisco stock broker was among our
complement. Suspecting collision between
Capt Smith and the Alabama, he grabbed
an AK and swoTc he'd chop the head of
the first Johnny Reb' that came aboard.
But the sight of the cUtlasses and newly
invented .f4-bTceCh-IOading revOlvers with
which the enemy were armed soon took
the fight out of him. Discretion was de-
cidedly the better part Of valor
Il recall that Lieut. Lowe C. s a
was i'm command Of The boarders. He
Immediately took command of our ship.
Our zoo marines had got under arms at
the first sign of hostilities, under com
mand Of a junior officer Our Mai. Car
land commanded them to go below and
stack arms
Threw the Sails Overheard.
Lieut.. Lowe sent men aloft and pulled
down our sails except the mizzeu spanker