The Daily Dispatch: May 7, 1863., [Electronic resource]

British blockade Runners Cornered.

‘ Lieut. D. A. McDermut, commanding United States gunboat Cayuga, reports that on the morning of April 3d he discovered a sail in the neighborhood of the bar off Sabine Pass, Texas, standing to the southward. He gave chase with the New London and Cayuga, and the vessel, after a pursuit of four hours, was overhauled by the Cayuga. The vessel proved to be the British schooner Tampico of 70 tons. Thomas Ponison, master, and L.J. Nagle, agent for the cargo, both claiming to be British subjects. The shipping articles showed the crew, five in number, to be foreigners. The only colors found was a British ensign. The cargo consisted of 112 bales of cotton, averaging more than 500 lbs to the bale, and valued, as appears by the invoice, at $16,054.83. Her papers showed that she entered the port of Sabine in August, 1862, and at the date of the 31st January, 1863 had, inconsequence of the blockade, been unable to leave that port.

The case was referred by Lieut Mr. Dermut to the Prize Court at New Orleans for adjudication, and the prize master directed to report to the senior United States naval officer commanding of that city.

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