New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-19
BY fELEGRAPH
THE VfRGINIUS.
Details Of the Surrender Of the Vir9iniua
at Bnhia Honda.

Details Of the Surrender of the virginiu.
at Bahia Honda.
KEY WEST, December lS.-The small
steamer Dispatch, Captain A. d. Whiting,
which had been assigned by the United
the surrender, sailed from Key West Sunday
evening, and arrived in the harbor Of Bahia
Honda the next morning, where she found
the Virginius in charge Of the Spanish slOop-
Of-war La Favorita, Senior de la Camara
commanding.
Shortly after noon the latter came on
board the Dispatch, and made arrangements
with Captain Whiting for the surrender at
9 A. NJ Tuesday. His visit was returned
later in the day by Captain Whiting. The
intercourse was of the most courteous char
acter.
On Tuesday the weather was bright and
clear. The only spectators of the scene
about to take place were the men on the
Dispatch and La Favorita and some ragged
and dirty Cubans in fishing smacks appar-
emily intent upon fishing alone.
AT half-past eight the gig came over from
the La Favorita to the Virginius, contain
ing the oarsmen aud q single officer. As the
latter stepped on deck a petty officer and
on the Eirginius during the negotiations
went over the side and remained in ingey
awaiting orders.
Punctually as the bells on the Dispatch
struck for nine, and before the echo had
died away, the American flag flew to the
flagstaff of the Virglnius, and at the came
moment the boat containing Captain Whit
ing and Lieutenant Marlax put away from
the Dispatch.
As they assembled the accommodation lad
der Of the Virginius, a single man on the
n yhn fn hn vln I,nf To-
IN ara, advanced and made q courteous
salute. The officers then read their respec-
tive instructions, and Captain De La Ca
mara remarked that, in obedience to the re-
guirements of his government, he had the
honor to turn over the steamer Virginius to
the American authorities.
Captain Whiting accepted her, and as
certaining that receipt would be accepta-
BILE, gave one.
the Spaniard stepped over the side, sig
nailed his oarsmen, and in ten minutes was
again upon the deck of his own vessel, hsv-
ing discharged, with becoming dignity, the
unpleasant duty imposed upon him by his
government.
The engines of the Virginius were found
to be in bad order, and she had to be towed
to sea by the Dispatch. Both vessels left
the harbor at 3 P. NJ, the Spanish flag
being displayed by the fort as they passed.
At 8 P. NJ. they were met by the naval
tug Fortune. Steam was subsequently got
up on the Virginius, and she, with the Dis
patch, went to the Tortugas, where they
met the Ossippee and coal schooner.
Provisions will he transferred from the
Ossippee to the Virgiuius, and whatever
coal may be needed will be supplied by the
schooner. When supplied with provisions
and coal, the Virginius will probably be
sent to Northern port-WashingtO and
Norfolk are mentioned among prize officers.
There is much disappointment among
some of the officers. The federal courts are
now anxiously looking out for the steamers
arrival. She will not enter the harbor of
Key West at all, express orders to that
effect having been received from Washing
ton.
The Fortune has arrived at Key West,
with a dispatch to Admiral Scott, giving q
full account OF the surrender.
The officers anu crews OF the Dispatch
and La Favor!ta, the members of the prizs
crews, and the correspondent of the 7f'i-
basne, were the only witnesses of the sur
render.
Not single person appeared, beyond the
above mentioned, on the bay, and not an
inhabitant Of the town of Bahia Honda or
the surrounding country felt sufficient in
terest in the proceedings to walk or sail 20
the scene.
Some Americans presented themselves at
the entrance of the harbor in chartered
vessel, but, none being provided with clear
ance papers and passports, were stopped by
a boat from the fort in several attempts to
enter the harbOr, aud finally withdrew
without witnessing the surrender.