The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-08-26

position of officers, and a drawer and
more willing crew, never noated. As
an evidence Of their attachment to
the captain and the service, | will
state that after the sinking of the
Alabama, upon our visit to Liverpool,
where the crew were paid off, a large
deputation of them called upon Capt.
Semmes, and pleaded with him to get
command of another ship the equal of
the kearsarge, promising that they
would join him to man.
Our First Prize.
The eleventh day after going into
commission we captured our first
prize, not one hundred miles from
where we hoisted our flag. After
working round the Azores for some
weeks, with fine breezes, we shaped
our course for Sandy Hook; but we
encountered frequent gales off the
Newfoundland banks, and on the 10th
of October lost our main-yard in
cyclone. Being considerably shaken
up, We decided to seek a milder lati-
tude. Running down to the Wind.
ward Islands, we entered the Carib-
bean Sea.
Our prizes gave us regularly the
mails from the United States, from
which we learned of the fitting OUT
Of tho army ,,n1ar Co,,o,,I NJ
the attack on Galveston and the in
vasion of Texas, and the day on
which the fleet would sail; where
upon Capt. Semmes calculated about
the time they would arrive and shaped
his course accordingly, coaling and re-
lifting ship at the Areas Keys.
He informed me of his pan of at
tack, which was to sight the shipping
Off Galveston about the time that Gen.
eral Banks was due with his large
fleet of transports, under the CONVOY.
perhaps, of few vessels of war. The
entire fleet would anchor in the ont.
er roadstead, as there is only sniff.
Gent water on the bar for light.
draughts. All attention at such q
Time would be given to the disem.
oarkation of the army, as there were
no enemy's cruisers to modest them
our presence in the Gulf not beinp
known. We were to take the BEARING
Oh the fleet, and, after the mid-watcb
was set and all was quiet, silently an
proach, steam among them with botb
batteries in action pouring in a con
tlnuous discharge of shell to fire and
SINK them as we went. Thus we ex
pected to accomplish our work and
De on to another cruise before the
conveys could move.
Our Fight With the Hatterss
But instead of sighting General
bankss fleet of transports. we sigb+od
hVe vessels of war at anchor and soon
after our lookout reported a steamer
starting out for us. We were tbon
under topsails only, with a ugbt
breeze, heading off shore. and grad.
ually drawing our pursuer from the
squadron, 1t was the Hatteras and
ABOUT dark she came up with us and
III an action of thirteen minutes wo
sank her. We
Inc action closed about twilight
When Capt. Semmes, who always tool,
MS position on the weather horse
olock above the rail of the shin 70
enable MIN to see all the SURROUNDINGS
ana 10 note the effect of our shot ~,
aclion' or at exercise at general o,or
lers called to me and said, .Jr Kou
the enemy have fired a gun to Loo
ward; cease firing"
We We're then about sevantv-euo
Yards from the enemy, and could hear
distinctly their hail, saying thew ",vora
Iast sinking and on fire in tbroo
piaces' and for Gods sake r. Gov
them'' We Immediately sent boots
ana IN the darkness took every li,ino,
soul from her. ms
S~ S'ShIo OtCuIIeu IN the nrnS-
ence of the enemy's fleet, bearing the
pennant of Commodore Bell within
signal distance. Knowing that the
Federal squadron would soon be nm
on us, every light on board shin was
put under cover and we shaped orr
course for broader waters. During the
night a fearful norther came sweeping
after us, but under the circumstances
1t was a welcome gale. Hosting our
propeller, we crowded all the sail we
could bear, and soon were ont of
harms way, AS Captain Blake of the
Hatteras (whom l had known in the
old seryice) came on deck. he re-
marked upon the speed we were maxi
ing and gracefully saluted me with,
Fortune fayors the brave, sir" 7
wished him pleasant voyage with
/ o. 1.