The New York Times
May 22, 1861
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, May 21.
The ship Gen. Parkhill, of Liverpool for Charleston, has arrived in charge of a prize crew of the Niagara. She was spoken off Cape Romain the 12th, and ordered off. The next day she was captured in attempting to run the blockade. She was towed up to the Navy-yard.
The prize ship is 600 tons, with a general cargo, a large portion being salt. It is suspected that arms and munitions of war are concealed under the salt.
She was commanded by Capt. FORBES, the former captain being murdered on the outer voyage by some of the crew.
She had two Secession flags flying.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, May 21 — P.M.
Capt. FORBES denies having known anything of the blockade or display of secession flags. After his vessel was brought to by a shot from the Niagara, he was furnished with a passport to proceed to any port North. He hoisted a flag bearing the initials of the owners, and then the vessel was seized on the supposition that the flag was a signal to the shore. The secession flags which were on board belonged to PIKE, the former captain of the vessel.