The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-10

| peak. and the whnlcr, with :, huge
'sp:rm' whale in tow, continued her
task of cutting up biubhcr unsuspici-
Gus of danger. when :. hundred yards
IRON the prey. Scmmcs brought out the
flag of the Confcdcracy. The whalcrs
were stunned, and TN, capture OF tho
vessel was made without resistance
Before the supplies had been trans.
fcrrcd night came. The commander
postponed burning tie vessel until day
light. reasoning that such "a glare on
the heavens at night would brighten
away the other whalcrs in the naigh-
! borhood.
The next morning the whaler went
mp in flames. several other merchant
ships passed the way of the "Ocumul-
gee during the succeeding weeks, and
Semmcs stccrad for SANDY Hook. and
thence along the Atlantic coast OF the
United states to his old cruising
ground in the Sumter"
Fighting Vessel That Never Took a
Dare.
The daring OF the Alabama" knew
no bounds. While the Federal fleet
was assisting General Banks to land
his army at Galveston, the famous
sea-rover steamed In close To the nc.t,
and haunted his nag in its face 4
single steamer put Off after the dar-
ing cruiser. 1t was the "Hattcras"
an old river steamer that had been con
Ferted into warship. Semmes slow
| ~ sailed TO sea. drawing the Halter
as" after her. Fifteen miles from the
heet. the Alabama" suddenly turned
on her pursuer. and in thirteen min
utes the 'Hatteras" was riddled
hulk and sinking. \ hail came across
the water:
Were sinking fast. and are on fire
in three places; for Gods sake, save
u.s."
The crew was quickly transferred
and the Alabama seeing that the
feet was raising anchors 10 avengc
the "Hatteras," unfurIcd all sail in the
terrific norther that began 10 blow
and scuided TO sea, where she quick
] ~ lost he. pursuers 4 few days lat
or at Kingston. Jamaica. the captivcs;
were landed. The few shot holes were
repaired and new supply OF coal was
boarded, and the fghtinS vessel was
| soon passing along the coast of South
America, and thence to the Cape or
Good Hop, In Southern Africa. After
cruising In the Indian Ocean and tho
China Sea, the ".Alabnma" returned to
| Cape Of Good Hope and then to
Azores, her old cruising ground. From
! here she went 10 her doom In Cher
| bourg IIarbor, where she was block
| AIDED By tho Federal warship "Kcar-
sarge" and on June 18th, 1861. sailed
out 10 high seas to engage in her
last battle.
Fate of Famous Old Commerce De-
| strOyer.
One Of the most famous of these old
| commerce destroyers of nifty years ago
IL the FLORIDA" another Confederate
cruiser which became a vrritnbc
charnei house. Like the ".hlabaina.'
she wns built in England. and sue
eessfully escaped the yigilant Union
vent her launching. She was a re-
plea OF the English gunboats-n screw
propelled vessel.
The Florida" was taken to Nassau,
| That port OF entry and departure for
the blockade runners. and the steam
! er 'j3ahama''--thc same that followed
| tho "AltLba ma"-brought her arina-
mcnt Herr she was held by AN Eng
| fish admiralty court, on the protest
! Of the United States. but was released.
The exit Of the harbor was guarded
] by Federal warsfiipa. but the commas
der, Captain Mamtt, q veteran Of the
| "Old Navy" hurried his crew Oh board
: and cleared for the high seas during
, the night. The fact that he had only
| hvc freIncn and fourteen deck hands
did not deter this daring ssaiaan. Tho
FLORIDA" slipped through the block
| AIDE in the dense darkncas, and healed
| for Cubs, after taking on its battery
| and stores ut Green Cay,
! Yellow Fever nages HbDnrd ship.
| The neamen became victims Of the
executive heat. and fell III. Others
| quickly became sick. and the COM
J fnsnder found that hk was sailing a