The New York herald., 1870-11-15
A NAVAL DUEL.
TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.

Naval Duel Between French and German
War Vessels or Havann-A Spirited Con-
test-The Frenchman Forced TO Retire
Both Steamers Damaged.
HAVANA, Nov. IA, 1870.
On Monday, the 7th instant, the Prussian war
steamer Meteor, earring three guns and the French
war steamer Bouvet, carrying i've, entered this har.
Dor.
FRENCH NAIL STEAMER CHASED.
The Meteor steamed out again after the French
mail steamer Nouveau Monde hal sailed, but the
ture.
NAVAL DUEL ARRANGED.
On the night of Tuesday, the 9Th, the Bouvet left
port but waited outside for the German war vessel
After the expiration OF the twenty-four hours the
time prescribed by law, the Meteor followed, naval
duel having been arranged between the officers
before starting. The Spanish war steamer Her.
nando Cortes accompanied the two vessels. The
Meteor had crew OF sixty men and the Bouvet
eighty. The Bouvet was ten miles beyond the
oGing.
THE ENGAGEMENT.
Upon the coming out OF the Meteor she steamed
inwards towards the neutral line. The Bouvet
opened the contest by firing five shots, which the
Meteor promptly returned. The Bouvet then at
tempted to board the Meteor. In this she was un-
successful. Her rigging became entanged, carrying
away her main and mzzen masts. The rigging
falling with the masts became entanaled In the
Meteor's screw. At the same moment the Meteor
sent shell into the inside OF the Bouvet smashing
her steamppe.
RETREAT OF THE FRENCH STEAMER.
The Meteor, by reason OF the disabling of her
screw became unmanageabe, and the Bouvet, ind
ing the quarters hot, and capture certain II she
waited until the Meteor could dsentangle herself.
set sail rapidly and made for port, the Meteor con-
tinuing to nre meanwhile With a fair wind the
B0uvet was enabled to into Spanish water be-
fore the Meteor could disentangle her screw. At
this time the fernando Cortes fred gun as signal
that the combat had closed. Both fought bravely.
THE GERMAN AWARDED THE VICTORY.
The German gunboat Meteor was accorded the
damages. The Meteor had three killed and one
wounded. The Bouvet had only three wounded.
The Germans In Havana are much elated with the
anair, which caused intense excitement.
BURYING THE GERMAN DEAD.
The two Prussans Carbonier and Thomson, who
were killed In the naval engagement were buried
here on the 10th instant the German merchants at
tending the funeral In an immense body. 1t is now
said the Bouvet left the scene OF the fight under
steam and SAIL The German residents are arrang-
ing grand banquet for the officers OF the Meteor.
Another Report Of tho Fight-De R0dns the
Umpire-the Battle to be Renewed.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. IA, 1870.
There arrived to-day the steamship Cuba from
Havana. The New Orleans Times has reports by
that steamer OF a duel or Havana between the
French gunboat Bouvet and the Prusslan gunboat
Meteor. The Spanish war steamer fernando Cortes,
with the Captain General Of Cuba and other pro-
minent officials, accompanied the Meteor.
De Rodas was the umpire. The fight lasted one
hour when the Bouvet withdrew. Both vessels
were badly damaged. The Bouver reports one
killed and several wounded; the Meteor three killed
and one wounded. Another fight Is expected Both