The capture of the schooner Hanover by the “Pirate” Retribution.

Capt. Case, of the schooner Hanover, of Provincetown, captured off the Island of Hayti by the “pirate” schooner Retribution, while on a voyage from New York to Aux Cayes, has arrived in Boston. He took passage, with his mate and one man, from Port an Prince to New York in the brig Bird of the Wave, Capt. Robert Murray. Capt. Case thus states the circumstances of his capture:

Was off the south side of San Domingo, close by the port of L’Anse d’hainault, when I saw a schooner running down with the American flag flying; her course was directly towards me; as she crossed my bow I first saw her battery, with the guns run out; as her Captain hailed me the American flag dropped, and that of the Confederate States hoisted in its place; the display of force on the “pirate” was of course overwhelming, and I was obliged to obey his orders; he sent his lieutenant and five of his crew aboard in a boat; the lieutenant was a mere boy, a Southerner, of the name of Cray, who appeared to be ill at case at the business in which he was engaged; he was quite courteous, remarking that the Hanover was a good price for them, and then requested me to go aboard the Retribution to have an interview with her commander. When Captain Case stepped upon the deck of the Retribution, her commander, Capt. Lock, stepped forward and said: ‘”Ah, Capt. Case, do you know me — have you ever seen me before?” Capt. Case replied that to the best of his recollection he never had. “But I know you, Capt. Case, very well by reputation.” said Capt. Lock; “how is your brother, Rouban Case — your name, I believe, is Washington Case? I have sailed out of Provincetown several times; once in a whaler belonging to Mr. Choate.”’ Capt. Case then remarked that he was not over three miles from the shore of Hayti when captured. Capt. Lock replied that it was four miles, and that he was a price to the schooner Retribution and the Confederate flag. As it was impossible to resist, I requested the favor that he would at once put me ashore; he assented, telling me to take my clothing and that of the crew, and the boat of the Hanover. He took my charts and those of the mate, and the chronometer, which belonged to Mr. Wheelwright, the charterer of the vessel. I landed on the shore about dark. In the meantime a portion of the crew of the Retribution had been sent on board the Hanover, and both vessels sailed off together. I presume that she was taken to one of the cays and sold to the wreckers. The people of Hayti received me in a hospitable manner, stating that if the pirate had come within range of their battery, they would have given him a warm reception.

Sources

The Daily Dispatch: April 6, 1863. Richmond Dispatch. 2 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. April 6, 1863. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

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