The New York herald., 1869-04-20
THE PERUVIAN MONITORS.

Voyage of the M0nit0rs-u0w the Trans
port Was Sunk--Incapable Peruvian OH
cers-Whereabouts Of the Atahuaipa-A
Difficult voyage-Departnre for st. Thomns.
MONITOR MANGA CAPAC !
RAGGED ISLAND HARD0R, BAHAMA BANKs,f
March 20, 1862
We have been lying here at anchor since wrote
you last, and as yet have heard nothing from our
consoIts, the Atahualpa and Marranon. On the 18th
one wreckiag schooner was sent 10 Great Inagua
Island where we suppose our consorts to be at pre-
sent, and another to Nassau N. p, get provisions
and coal and to take Lieutenant Thorn, bearer OF
dispatches to the Peruvian Minister, that far his
way north. We have had no returns from either OF
these schooners yet, though we expect The
one from Nassau hourly. The brig captured
by the Spanish cruiser, thatI mentioned In my last
letter, was from New YORK, and had on board 5000
muskets or rifles, with other arms and ammunition
for Cuba. She was captured here in Ragged Island
harbor and had an English Custom House officer Of
this place on board at the time Of capture. Her
name Is the Mary Lowell. The people here are very
indignant and say that the British government will
make the Spaniards pay we'll for it, There about
twenty Cuban refugees mere. The poor fellows are
scattered around on nearly every island OF the Ba-
hamas.
There are about 800 Inhabitants on the Ragged
Islands, and their principal business Independent OF
wrecking, Is making salt. netenths are negroes
and mulattoes. They have schools aud nearly all Of
them read and write, though they speak English
In true niger STYLE The islands are coral rock, ana
produce very little-a few sweet potatoes but no
variety of vegetables and no fruit Fresh beer OF
poor quality is brought OIL to US at fifteen cents
per pound.
IT Is now blowing hard from the east-southeast,
and we shall probably have rough weather until
after the equinox. The schooner SOPHIA Of forty
TONS formerly Savannah pilot boat came In last
night to avoid the Storm She is probably block
ade runner, bound to Cuba, but nothing can be
found out about her, the crew wisely keep their
business to themselves. have no doubt the loss OF
the transport Reyes and the visit of this monitOrto
NaraDjo. Cuba, will cause some little talk in New
York; but at the time the Reyes went down the
Manca Capac was nearly out OF coal, SO there was
other way for but to go 10 the nearest port Ior
fuel. We were not aware at the time that Naranjo
was in the hands OF the liberals. Had the SDaniardS
been there we cannot tell what our reception might
have been. The loss OF the Reyes was most TOOL
ism, stupid and disastrous affair The captain Of the
Reyes Coanches) is commander in the Peruvian
navy. He u q native OF Peru, with more indian
than Spanish blood in him, and, think, the most
cowardly, incapable man That ever attempted
Instant, tho senior oiicer Captain Carrelia)
OF the monitor Manca Capac, made signals to the
several awkward attempts to pass the line and
finally was ordered to deslst by Captain Carrea.
made TO to take the monitor in tow Captain Du sos
(leet PILOT then went to Captain Sanches and re-
SpeCtluy OiiereQ his S0rViCoS assuring The captain
that he could with perfect safety steer the Reyes
near enough to the monitor to easily pass the line.
Sanches's answer was, mo, SIR know my business
said, ''Well, sir; the Peruvian Minister told me in
Pensacola you would in emergency be advised by
ME. Now feel 1t my duty 10 tell you that If you
stop the neadway Of this steamer when 10 windward
OF the monitor you will f herr drift on to her.
while you keep to leeward you cannot easily get
FOUL as this vessel will drift great deal faster than
the MONITOR" Captain Du BOis also ADVISED MIN to
attach buoy to long line and run ahead OF the
no; Sanches replied, he knew his business and
wanted no advice or in,erleIence. After several
near drowning the boats crew that were trying to
get the line 10 the monitor Captain Carrea sent
word to Sanches that he would keep the monitor
lying still, aud that the Reyes must come near
enough TO send him the line and that ne wanted no
chiid's play. Captain Sanches then starred the
Reyes ahead, ran TO windwatd oil the MONITOR made
halfclrcle and came down before the wind and
sea heading directly for the monitors stern as size
lay at right angle with our course. To the aston
ishment Of everybody, when within 200 yards OF the
monitor Captain Sanches ordered the engine stop.
ped, the Reyes lost steerage way and was drifting
mead irst directly toward the monitor. Captain Du
Iois then shouted to Captain Sanches ''sr, you viii
Captain Sanches answered, mo, no, she no strike;
go ahead fast on the engine" The ben was rung,
and ahead she went striking the monitor ON the
stern and getting hole IN her own bows as
large as a farmers gate. This stupid act cost the
lives OF seven brave men, and the Peruvian govern
ment not less than quarter OF million OF dollars.
The Reyes had neary all the monitors ammunition,
aud stores OF every kind for o year on board. Her
ocers and lost every thing except the clothes
on their backs at the time. Capla ain Sanches was
the first that got In boat to leave the sinking
Oficers, they abandoned their vessel before there
was four feet Of water in her.
When tlis.feet was IN Pensacola the majority OF
the American officers wanted to leave It on the
ground that the Peruvian officers in command OF
the steamers and that IL dangerous to sail under
such commanders. How well grounded their fears
Peruvian Minister, insisted on the American olcers
going with the neet, and assured them that
the Peruvian oiicers would gladly avail
themselves OF the greater experience and superior
seamanshp Of the Americans. We have no doubt
that Mr. Garcia thought he spoke, but he did not
know his own country men, Win Two or three hon.
orable exceptions the Peruvian officers have ignored
the Americans entirely not suffering them To have
the least voice In the discipline or duty Oi the ships
aud with the exceptions above mentioned they are
the most Ignorant, assuming and Incapable set
that attempted 10 carry on the duty Of q
ship. Under the present management this iieet Will
never reach Peru. Although the present senior
Oflicer, Captain Carrelia, l. seaman and gentle
man, he has no help that he can avail himself Of
lis officers mold POSITIONS according 70 their
rank, and ignorance seems W Increase with rank
among them. AS soon as the Marranon comes here
and we get our coal and provisions from Nassau we
shall start FOL Sanana Bay 81 Domingo stopping at
Inagua island W pick up the monitor AtaLuapa
From samana We win proceed to st: Thomas
towing two monitors. and there await orders from
the Peruvian Minister or from the Peruvian govern
ment. One thing IL certain; these monitors cannot
go as far as Brazil without towDoat each. We
have tried the Manca Capac thoroughly, aud she
cannOt make any thing against u uUuDe-reeeu Top
san breeze, with the usual sea that accompanies IL
But where the transport Is to come from that will
replace the Reyes none Of us yet know. The Amer.
leans olicer5 and crews, are thoroughly disgusted
with the voyage. and would gladly take their leave
OF the whole anair II they could yet discharged. The
men have lost all confidence la the Peruvian OIL
GERS, and their murmurs are loud and deep.
MARCH M-festerday our schooner returned rom
Inagua, with news that the monitor Athaualpa and
transport MaTranon sailed fol Cape Haytien, 81 Do-
amigo, on the l4th inst, would stop day or two
there and then go ON to Samaaa Bay so we
m
get 10 ST. thomas, where We must try 20
We shall start for SANTANA Bay as soon ~ our coil
and provisions come from Nassau. IL will be hard
pull Tor this monitor TO get COO miles 10 the eastward
against the tradewind, swell and current; and the
xrn nraI "a of a IL IuaL