AUDACIOUS
PIRACY OFF THE DELAWARE CAPES
PACKET
SHIP SUSQUEHANNAH
Tuesday,
October 24 1837: New York
At
half past one o'clock this morning an express arrived of Samuel
Swartwout, Esq., port collector, with intelegence of the capture of
the packet ship, Susquehannah, from Philadephia for Liverpool, which
went to sea Saturday afternoon. Immediately the collector sent a
special messenger to the commander of the revenue cutter in port
with directions to prepare for sea without delay. Also sent
communication to Commodore Ridely, Commander of the Navy Yard ,
requesting an additional armament, with men, and to send off the
squadron now in harbor. Captain Stingham, of the yard, received the
communication , awaited orders of Commodore Ridgely, and by 3 o'clock
the Porpoise was underway but because of heavy fog made little way
until 11 o'clock this motning. The collector has suggested that
commadore send any other vessel he may juudge expedient to send.
Mr.
Humphrey, named as a passenger, is May Humphrey, Esq., a commercial
agent of the United States Bank, to reside in Liverpool . Anothe
passenger, James Saul, Esq., cashier of the bank in New Orleans. It
is suggested that the pirate was in pursuit of 'specie' large
quantities of which have been recently sent out by packets.
Therevenue
cutter of the Delaware station is under repair at Wilmington, and
there was no vessel at Philadelphia to despatch.
Sunday
October 22 1837: Lewes by H. E. Rodney:
We
have received information of the pilot boat “Mary” from James
West and Edward Maull , two good pilots, that the packet ship
“Susquehannah” which went to sea at 2 o'clock yesterday, was
captured by a pirate schooner off the Five Fathom Bank. The wind
being at the south, she bore off southward and at dark was off Indian
River. Since the wind has been from southward all day, news has been
sent to Norfolk so as to enable an armed vessel to cut her off.
The
pirate vessel was a long clipper fore top sail schooner, painted
black, and full of men.
Passengers
of the packet ship Susquehannah , Master Cropper, sailed Saturday for
Liverpool were M. Humphreys, a lady with two children, a servant,
Ann Rawle, Mary Rawle, Rachel Sharp, H.C. Corbitt, Henry Martin,
Edward Pleasent, of Philafrlphia, William Grey of Norfolk, Henry
Fox of Bristol England, Wm B. McCrone of New Castle, and 40 in
steerage.
We
have just learned the Commander Stewart will despatch the revenue
cutter, well manned with officers and men in pursuit of the piraye
schooner. The cutter, Gallatin, Captain Gold, has been lyiing in
Wilmington for several weeks past underoing repairs. Also we have
learned from authority that the Liverpool and Harve packets are to go
out tomorrow under convoy of the squadron now in port. The officers
and men are all pressing with voluntary offers of services for the
honor of the rescue of the captives and th seizure of the bucaneers
The
amoubt of money on the Susquehannah first said to be $110,000, has
been revised to $8000 to $10,000 . It is thought that the pirates
had been lying in wait for the Chandler Price, bound Canton, from
which they would have obtained a prize.
It
has been learned from the United States Gazette that a force of men,
directed by the commodore, proceeded down the Delaware on the
steamer Piomeer to embark on board the Gallatin which was orderd to
sail in pursuit of the pirate schooner.
We
have been informed by a pilot that the suspicious vessel was seen
off the Capes on Friday and followed in expection she might need a
pilot, however being a fast sailer, they could not overtake her.
Captain Dumbhy at Fort Penn piertold that Tuesday evening a
suspicious vessel anchored two mile belo, remaining there until
Thursday afternoon and during that time had sent a boat ashore to the
Delaware side.
Abstract
from Albany Argus, albany, New York, Friday October 27, 1837 / New
York Commercial Advertiser, United Stares Gazette, October 23,
Agent of the Underwriters, Henry F. Rodney, Cape Henlopen, Lewes,
Delaware, Sunday October 22, 1837 : By Harrison Howeth, 2017.
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