Privateer Sumter

BOSTON, May 3. – Capt. Simms and officers of Privateer Sumter arrived at Southampton, England in steamer from Gibraltar.  Vessel to be sold there.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4

Rebel Privateering

A new steamer, called the Oveito, sailed from Liverpool on the 22d March, and , according to rumor, she is intended for the service of the Rebels in destroying Northern commerce on the Atlantic. The Oveito was built at Liverpool, ostensibly for the Italian Government, and is, consequently, adapted for warlike purposes. She measures seven hundred and fifty tons, is capable of carrying several guns of the largest caliber on a draft of twelve feet, and is represented as one of the finest and fastest vessels of her class afloat. The vessel was regularly cleared at Liverpool for Palermo, in ballast, and a crew of about fifty men on board. Very contradictory statements were current as to the real destination of the vessel, her armament, &c., &c.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4

Arrival of the Steamer City of New York

NEW YORK, April 22.

The steamer City of New York, with four days later European news, has arrived.

LIVERPOOL, 9th. – Breadstuffs dull but steady.

The Sumter was still at Gibraltar and the Tuscarora at Algiers.

On the 3d the sloop of war Karsage [sic], after a two day’s visit to Gibraltar, left for the west.

In parliament D’Israeli made an attack on Gladstone’s financial policy in the Budget. The latter spoke strongly in defiance. A general debate ensued, in the course of which Bentwick attributed the distress of the country to its incompetent and inhuman policy in refusing to recognize the Confederate States.

The question of shielded ships and floating batteries continues to occupy the attention of the government.

The shipwrights have all been transferred from the wooden to iron vessels in course of construction.

A proposition was before the common council of London to confer the freedom of the city in a gold box to Mr. Peabody, for his [tounificence].

The crops of England and France are reported as most favorable. French manufacturing accounts also show more animation.

Latest rumors assert that Gen. Guion will not be recalled from Rome.

The Paris Bourse was flat 69{90c.

The Italian ministry had ordered an increase in iron-plated ships.

The question of brigandage and the removal of the ex-King of Maples from Rome was debated in the Italian chamber.

Roltazzi said the Italian government persisted in pointing out that the presence of Francis II at Rome is the source of disorders, and he believed Napoleon also shares the conviction and perceives the necessity from providing against its continuance, but difficulties can’t all be vanquished at a single blow.

The Spanish government had again reiterated its firm determination to abstain from any demonstration prejudicial to the independence of Mexico.

The Danish Regziaad voted an extraordinary credit of one million rix dollars for iron-plated vessels.


SANDY HOOK, April 22.

The New iron steamer Oviet, built for war purposes, left Liverpool for Palermo. It is believed she goes to Bermuda for armament, and takes the Atlantic as a southern privateer.

The schooner Sophia ran the Charleston blockade and arrived at Liverpool with 900 bales of cotton.

Politics unimportant.

Manchester market firmer, tending upward. Breadstuffs steady and unchanged. Provisions upward.


QUEENSTOWN, April 10.

Government has contracted for an iron cupola ship under Capt. Coles’ invention, to be ready for sea June 1st, 1863.

Experiments with a gun of large sized showed the best and hitherto considered invulnerable forms of iron sides, were so to speak, almost as easily penetrable by a shot as if targets had been timber.

Sir Wm. Armstrong says that a gun of 12 tons weight fired with a charge of 50 pounds of powder will break through the sides of the Warrior or the strongest ship afloat. A target like the Warrior’s side was shattered into crumbs at a trial. The Times says a weapon of offense or defense it seems none is left us now so effective as large armor clad and very swift rams.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 1

Rebel Schooner Dixie, Captured

NEW YORK, April 24. – the rebel schooner Dixie, formerly a rebel privateer, captured off Georgetown, S. C., In attempting to run the blockade, bound to Nassau, N. P., loaded with cotton, spirits turpentine, &c., by the U. S. steamer Keystone State, who placed a price crew on board, arrived at Philadelphia yesterday, p.m.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3