The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-21
WHAT NIGHT HAVE BEEN.
GIycerine and Greek Fire-PlOt to Blow
Up the Spanish FlOtilla-HOw and Why
1t FaiIed-Who Engineered 1t.

~ one O'Clock yesterday morning the spanish
notia anchored since the day before In the waters
OF the lower bay, ten miles below Staten Island,
started for their destination. The delay was made
for the purpose OF paying or the sailors
and marines In advance, IL Is understood tnas
the commander OF the Pizarro intended to
await the arrival OF the Isabella, but the
threatening aspect OF Affairs and the freely cir
cuiated rumors Of torpedoes, nitro-gly cerine and
other dangerous combustoles being sent down
the harbor In tugboats determined him upon
weighing anchor without another moments
delay. At midnight on Sunday two tugboats,
with about fifty men on each, well armed
and carrying on board one swivel gun, were seen
prowling around the anchorage ground Of the
Spanish feet. According to one OF the crew, who
refused disclose the Of the leader In the en-
terprise 1t tho intention to have blown up tho
Pzarro and fired all boats. For this purpose 200
pounds OF nitro-glycerinc were put on the tugs,
done up in quart bottles ano tin cans, and Win
fuses attached that on being hurled against the
woodwork OF the vesse $ II would immediately ex-s
extraordinary composition with when the Fenians
threatened TO burn doysh the principal citle3 or
Wa Sss' that fell upon tue suel,erins ark that
held Moan, his family aud us fortunes
could not extinguish. Tue Greek nre was put upin
bottles which would break readily on being thrown
at the boats. Balls OF cotton yarn were saturated
with this terrific solution and were ready ior M
loading carbine and revolver. After spending one
hour novering about the moonut waters OF the lower
bay the commander OF the daring expedition or
dere the boats TO return as the tning was altogether
Impossible of execution owing to the absence OF the
friendly mantle OF unumIued nlght. The moon
persisted irlHhining down In cioudesS briancy. ana
the night watch on the Runboats and the Plzlrr0 0ad
q clear prospect all round them Tor miles, Inc buc-
cancers the tugs swore that the moon as wen ~
Oilclal lights OF washington was IN the pay OF
Tile Spanish government. ..1l
OUTSIDE the harbor for the last three days two tugs
have been floating about with the purpose OF INTEL
cepllng plzarro BY ingenious arrangement VI
the tugs were 10 stand OIL IRON each otner and make
the rope connecting them All taut. On tha rope, nvo
hundred yards long, series OF torpedoes were
arranged at intervals IKE so many regular Knots on
| string. When the bow Of the approaching wax
vessel struck the rope tne tugs were "
yield and the torped0es nylng back agalnss
| the sides OF the vessel exploited with awful
supposed to Hugh McCulloch, hove IN sight at
| that particular aud pertinent moment, wnen tbt
design Just outlined was apout being put IN execu-
tom and the tugs OF course beat An immediate re'
| treat. > f.Eag
lnere ts hardly any question but that for the In
/ opp0rlunc appearance OF the full moon and tho
| Hugh McCulIoch the Plzarro, the pride OF enc
| wing would now be but dream OF things thas
were, "a scnooiboy's tale, the wonder OF an hour:
The men selected Tor TINS fcrlorn II not foonardy
business picked braves OF the Gardiners island
expedition (Which came near grasplnK the QUEER
| ing gierdon OF gallantry under the lead OF ROCKY
Mountain Ryan, who, tor aught people know 10 inc
| contrary, may have been the leader III the iaeess
desperate attempt to a'engs the pllgnted PATRIOTISM
! or Cuba