Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

August 8, 1861 – From Charleston—The St. Lawrence Sinks a Privateer

destruction of the privateer PETREL by the ST. LAWRENCE, showing the smaller ship, the Petrel sinking while in the background the frigate St. Lawrence is firing cannon at the vessel.
Destruction of the privateer PETREL by the ST. LAWRENCE

Philadelphia, Aug. 7.—The U. S. gun boat Flag arrived at Fort Mifflin this morning with 36 rebel prisoners taken from a rebel war vessel, formerly the revenue cutter, Aiken, seized at Charleston last winter. The Aiken fired at the St. Lawrence off Charleston, probably mistaking her for a merchant vessel, when the St. Lawrence returned a broadside, sinking the rebel boat. Five of her crew were lost and the rest received and placed on board the Flag.