The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-11-22

count OF the capture OF the steamer
Virginius, from which it appears that
on Oct Both the Spanish Consul at
Kingston advised the Governor at San
tiago de Cuba that the Virginius was
in the vicinity of Morrant Bay. The
Spanish war steamer Tornado had
that morning arrived at Santiago de
Cuba. and four hours after
the Governor received informa-
ton of the Virginius, went
in search of her The following day
the Tornado, while under full sail and
with but little steam, as some slight
repairs were being made in her ma
chinery, came III sight of the Virgin
ius, which probably supposed the Tor
nado to be sailing vessel, as her
course was not changed. On the Tor
nado every effort was made to lasten
the repairs they were engaged IN, aud
at two O'Clock the chief engineer pro
nounced them completed. All the
steam possible was Immediately
got up, and the vessel headed
for the VirgiDlus. soon reaching
speed of fourteen knots, and gaining
slowly upon her The Virginius had
but divining the hostile intentions of
the Tornado, changed it toward
jamaica, and being out of coal com
mencea burning petroleum, coal,
grease, fat, and other combustiblcs
from provisions on board, such as
hams, etc
Night closed III and the vessels were
in the same relative positions, the
Tornado, however, gaining. As soon
rs they got within gunshot, the lorna
do fired gun, followed by three other
shots and shell. This brought the
VirginIus to, and two armed boats from
the Tornado came alongside and took
possession of the vessel and made pris-
oners of all on board.
At the time of the capture of the
Virginius she was flying the American
flag, but this was pulled down by the
Spanish officer and a Spanish ensign
hoisted III its place, although the
papers of the vessel duly dispatched
for Colon were handed to him after
capture.
The next two hours were employed
III transferring some of the prisoners
to the Tornado, and putting a prize
crew on the Virginlus At midnight
the two vessels started for Santiago de
Cuba, and arrived there the following
day at 5 z. NJ, having been Joined by
the Spanish steamer Contrabro.
Upon their arrival III port the intel
hgence spread like lightning. and at
tracted an immense crowd of people
The government palace and other pub
lie buildings were Illuminated, and ali
the authorities, civil and military, went
to felicitate the Governor, Bnrriet,
upon the news The Governor IN the
evening gave Il brilliant reception
The vessels were surrounded III the
bay by a number of boats filled with
bands of music and cheering volunteers.
The festivities were kept up late in
the night. The following dav the see
ond court martial. was held on board
the Tornado, which commenced at nine
and terminated at four. All were tried
as pirates, and the finding of the
court and sentences were sent
to the Captain General and Admiral
IN sealed packets After the court had
concluded its task, all the prisoners.
with the exception of Bembetta, Jesus
Del Sol, Gen Ryan and Pedro Ces-
pedes, were transferred to the Jail
| OF the CITY, escorted by a force
of one hundred volunteers and
a number of marines Gen. BurrieJ.
it is said, coolly asked that all the
prisoners should be turned over to HIM
with the exception of the captain and
crew, who should be sent to Havana at
! the disposal of the Commandment Cen
eral De Marlnats, and declared within
"a hours afterwards, that all should be
| tried and executed. In order to avoid
any complication with the exterior.
that is, foreign Intervention. he also
detained a telegram which the United
States consul decided to forward to the
United States consul at Kingston, re
porting the capture. and inquirine as
to the nationality of the Virginius.
The Nlrglnlus bad papers in order
and was dispatched for Colon, all pas.
senGers appearing on the papers as
laborers Tor railroad building there.
All accounts differ as to the position
OF the Nlrginius at the time of the
capture. One gives the capture
as having been effected at
twenty miles from Jamaica, ana an Of
fetal account states it at twelve the
Dlarlo states it at twenty three miles :.
the journals of Santiago de Cuba at
eight miles and twenty miles, and the
version Of the Vose de Cuba at twelve
miles.
The commander of the Tornado nnb.
llcly stated in Santiago de Cuba
that an hour later and the Virrinius
could have saved herself by entering
some port Of jamaica It seems that
the Nlr9lnlus, shortly after the DEPART
ure of the French steamer for SANTIAGO
de Cuba, left Jamaica on the 24th nit
1t was the intention of expeditionjsts
to sail direct for Cuba, but slight dam
age TO machinery obliged them to en-
ter the port of Hayti. This thew left
touching at Port au Principe. Hayti,
and other ports of the same island. I'M
til the Both, upon which day they con
cluded to sail for Cuba, and ATTEMPT
landing, and upon which day informa-
ton, that proved so disastrous to those
on board, was given to she authorities
at Santiago de Cuba.
Mexican Tragedy.