Connecticut western news., 1872-06-07
The Kansas and Her Convoy.

Edwin White, commanding officer of the U. Ship Kansas, has sent to the Soc- retary of the Navy report of his action in conveying the steamship Virginims from beneath the guns of the Spanish man-of-war Pisarro After receiving his instructions from the U. s. Government, Ut. White says he returned to his ship, and at night loaded his guns. He adds: This I did under cover of darkness, for the reason that I thought it best to make no demonstration which might lead the commander of the Pizarro to believe the preparations were being made with hos tile intent, for the reason that they were precautionary measures merely, and l did not desire to do anything which he might construe as mere bravado. Dur ing the next morning, preparations for sea were clearly visible on board the Vir- ginius. Her motions were closely fol- lowed by the Pizarro. Both vessels were getting up steam and their boats were hoisted. The large rife pivot of the Pi- zarro, mounted on the mortar deck, was pointed upon the Virginius, as well as her two starboard broadside guns. l therefore sent the men quietly to quar- ters, making no display above the rail. neither showing crew at the rihed twen- ty pounder on the forcastle, nor making a display of the marine guard on the poop deck. Served out an ample supply of ammunition for small arms and pis- tols and inspected carefully all arrange ments for supplying powder and fighting the guns; made preparations for slipping the cable. This being done, caused the men to leave their quarters; their belts equipped, to be deposited at the guns, ready for use at moments notice. After sending officers and papers to the commanding officer of the Pizarro, that he might understand the position of af- fairs, Ut. White adds :-
 The Virginius got under weigh at the same moment we slipped our chain, went to quarters and cast loose battery and sanded down decks for and aft. The Virginius immediately took up position on our port bow. We steamed ahead, so as to bring the Pizarro on our starboard quarter. In this relative position the two vessels proceeded to sea, the Vir9ini- us being about two cables length ahead, and the Pizarro three cables length of our starboard quarter. The Virginius stood up the coast about north northeast, occasionally standing more to tbe north. ward, thus gradually diverging from the coast until we were about four miles off. During the first three-quarters of an houl the Virginius dropped us until we were from @ half to three-fourths of mile astern. The Pizarro we dropped very rapidly, and it soon became evident that the Vlrginius was more than match fol | her in point of speed. Captain Bowen hailed us and said that he felt no appre tensions whatever; that so far he had carried only nine pounds of steam, an6 that he thought he could look out fol himself. During this hour and hall we had not logged more than eight knots and the Pizarro was about three miles astern. l continued in company witt the Virginius for an hour longer, unti half-past four, at which time, as nearly as could judge the P1zarro was about five miles astern. went about on my return passed close aboard the Pizarro so closely that I could recognize hel commander without a glass.
 She was pitching very much at the time, and from the volume of dense smoke which was constantly emitted from her two smoke pipes I am of opinion that her fires were being forced and that she was making all possible speed When abreast of the Pizarro I looked al the Virginius. She was completely hull down, her paddle-boxes just showing above the horizon. I reached our for mer anchorage about half past six anc picked up the chain which we hao slipped.