Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 5, November 1842 — John Shaqi
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 5, November 1842Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 5, November 1842
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Bainbridge took possession of the Moorish ship. The next day he
recovered the brig, which was standing in for the bay of Almeria, to the
westward of Cape de Gatte. On inquiry he discovered that Ibraham Lubarez
was cruising for Americans under an order issued by the governor of
Mogadore. Although Morocco was ostensibly at peace with the United
States, Bainbridge did not hesitate, now, about taking his prize to
Gibraltar. Here he left the Meshboha in charge of Mr. M’Donough, under
the superintendence of the consul, and then went off Cape St. Vincent in
pursuit of a Moorish frigate, which was understood to be in that
neighborhood. Failing in his search, he returned within the Straits, and
went aloft, in obedience to his original orders. At Gibraltar, the
Philadelphia met the homeward bound vessels, under Com. Rodgers, which
were waiting the arrival of Preble, in the Constitution. As this force
was sufficient to watch the Moors, it left the Philadelphia the greater
liberty to proceed on her cruise. While together, however, Lieut.
Porter, the first of the New York 36, exchanged with Lieut. Cox, the
latter gentleman wishing to return home, where he soon after resigned;
while the former preferred active service.
The Philadelphia found nothing but the Vixen before Tripoli. A
Neapolitan had given information that a corsair had just sailed on a
cruise, and this induced Capt. Bainbridge to despatch Lieut. Com. Smith
in chase. In consequence of this unfortunate, but perfectly justifiable,
decision the frigate was left alone off the town. A vigorous blockade
having been determined on, the ship maintained her station as close in
as her draught of water would allow until near the close of October,
when, it coming on to blow fresh from the westward, she was driven some
distance to leeward, as often occurred to vessels on that station. As
soon as it moderated, sail was made to recover the lost ground, and, by
the morning of the 31st, the wind had become fair, from the eastward. At
8, A. M., a sail was made ahead, standing like themselves to the
westward. This vessel proved to be a small cruiser of the Bashaw’s, and
was probably the very vessel of which the Vixen had gone in pursuit. The
Philadelphia now crowded every thing that would draw, and was soon so
near the chase as to induce the latter to hug the land. There is an
extensive reef to the eastward of Tripoli, called Kaliusa, that was not
laid down in the charts of the ship, and which runs nearly parallel to
the coast for some miles. There is abundance of water inside of it, as
was doubtless known to those on board the chase, and there is a wide
opening through it, by which six and seven fathoms can be carried out to
sea; but all these facts were then profound mysteries to the officers of
the Philadelphia. Agreeably to the chart of Capt. Smyth, of the British
navy, the latest and best in existence, the eastern division of this
reef lies about a mile and a half from the coast, and its western about
a mile.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account