The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-09-02
THE CAPTURE OF
THE JACOB BELL
How Famous American Clipper Ship,
Bound to Boston From China Was
Taken by the Confederate
Cruiser Florida.

meanwhile, made a circuit once or
twice around us for purposes of OBJ.
servatiOn, very much in the same way
that cat toys with a mouse, after
having made sure of her victim. Hav.
ing no efficient armament, we were
powerless; yet she did not raise the
rebel flag until she had us broadside
under her guns,-a circumstance
which indicated, as clearly as any.
thing could, the conscious guilt of
these pirates, and their extreme care
lest they should be caught in some
trap, thus getting their retribution
somewhat in advance of their caicula.
tons. The pirate captain then sent a
boat alongside, with a prize-master;
who, Naccosting Captain Frisbie, ex.
claimed-"You are my prize" The
captain replied-"But this is English
property" 81 can't help that" re.
Joined the prize-master; 81 must obey
my orders" Captain Frisbie then
said-"Is this the way you take Eng
fish property on the high seas?" Eyes
sir!" was the reply; Lord John Rus.
sell has recently said that if English
subjects put their property in United
States vessels, they must look for pay
to the Confederate Government" The
prize-master then told Captain Frisbie
that he must prepare to go on board
the steamer, while he took possession
of the ship; and on being asked what
was to be done with the passengers
and crew, the officer said they were
also to be taken on board, but that all
private property should be saved, and
after taking what they wished from
the Jacob Bell, they should burn her
There being no appeal from this
eX cathedra decision, or rather doom
our captain went below and directly
made preparations to leave. In a few
minutes after this another boat com
ing from the Florida, in charge of one
of their doctors, our crew were i'm
mediately taken on board, and we
were only allowed the time taken fol
their transshipment,-which could not
have exceeded half an hour,-to gath
er up a few things and get ready tc
follow.
Complying with the suggestions Oi
our faithful and kind colored steward
gathered together the few things
that were in the drawers of my state
room, and throwing them hastily or
my bed, tied them securely in the
Counterpart. l also put the few books
which were in my stateroom into q
small calico bag; and Notwithstanding
my confused and nervous state, had
sufficient self-possession and forecast
to take a small hand-trunk, in which
put a change or two of linen, and a
few night-clothes; being careful to ado
flannel articles, warm stockings, boots
and gloves for the cold weather or
our coast, together with our toilet
articles. To these l also added some
Observation-Disclosures, one or tive
books valuable from association, few
pieces of jewelry, and some other
articles, which, together with the lit
tie money we had with us, would be
absolutely necessary in case we should
never get any more OF our luggage
We were hidden to make all haste
and the little trunk, together with
two Chinese baskets,-the only
articles that we could take with u.s.
were soon ready; our trunks of cloth
ing for sea use having been also goI
out and placed in the cabin, along
with our two emigrant-lookine
bundles. There was no time to give
any attention to ones personal ap
pearance, and it certainly would not
be entertaining to know what kind OF
plight / was in when taken on board
the pirate. have already alluded
however, to the fact of having been
more i'll than usual during our passage
through the Atlantic tropics; and my
lady-readers can readily imagine how
they would look en- deshabille, with q
loose gown of cotton print, an old
shawl thrown about their shoulders
and a straw hat in place of a bonnet
The boat came for the third time
when, with the captain, his wife, and
child, we were transferred to the pi
rate. Happily for us the wind had
continued to lull, and although there
(COntinued on nape 24N