The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-16

towns of the north of England. j. j. O.
THE STEAMER vIRGINIUs.
HER CAPTURE, AND THE MURDER OF FIFrY-Two
OF HER CREW.
The most intense feelings of indignation and
horror have been created throughout the coun-
try by the intelligence of the capture of the
blockade-runner Virginius and the cold blood
ed murder of 6fty-two of her crew by the
Spanisrds at Santiago de Cuba.
The Virginius was engaged in running the
blockade to the island of Cuba, in the interests
of the Cuban patriots who have for several
years past been fighting for deliverance from
the dominion of Spain. She left Kingston,
Jamaica, in the last days of October, with US
persons aboard and full cargo On the 3oth
she attempted landing on the southern coast
of Cuba but was repulsed, and soon after
being sighted by the Spanish gunboat Tornado,
the chase commenced, the Virginius steering
| for Jamaica. 1t would seem that her fuel gave
| out, for after using part of her cargo as such,
she surrendered at 10 o'clock on the night of
the 31st when within six miles, it is said, Of
Jamaica.
| Her passengers and crew were taken to
Santiago, where, after a trial, by drum
| head court-martal, the Cuban chieftains, Ces-
pedes, Jesus del Sol, Gen. Ryan, and Varona,
| the latter of whom commanded the expedition,
were shot on the morning of the 4th of No
| vember.
| Gen. Sickles United States Minister to Spain,
had an interview with President CASTELAR, at
| Madrid, on the Sd inst, which resulted in per-
| emptory orders being sent to Cuba to stay all
| proceedings with reference to the vessel and
crew. These orders, it was asserted, would
reach Santiago on the night of the 9Th or
morning of the 9th Chat city being 400 miles
from Havana and there being no telegraphic
comm unicatiou between the two), and the
hone was INDUCED that the rest of the passen
gers and crew would be spared. This hope
was delusive. Either the orders did not reach
Santiago at the time expected, or they were
treated with contempt by the officers at that
point, for on the morning of the 9TH Capt Jo
seph Fry, the commander of the Virginius
and thirty-sx others, were shot, and on the
morning of the Sth twelve more shared the
same fate. What has been the fate of the re
mainder of the unfortunate prisoners has moi
vet transpired but, judging from the blood
thirsty nature of the men who perpetratet
this outrage against the laws of humanity
little hope can be INDUCED for their safety.
Elsewhere We treat of the great questions o
international law involved in this outrage
and give q biographical sketch of the gal
liant Capt. Fry, the fame of whose achieve
ments during our late war in this coun
try made his name known and respecte
;. throu ghout the South. OF the Virginius W
r copy the following history from the New Yor
8 Herald:
s The sidewheel steamer Virgin, now called tn
n Virpinius the seizure of which by the SPANS
=, corvette Tornado will bring about most seriou
. international questions was built on the CIyd
t in the year 1864, intended for a blockade run
v ner and was reported to be, when launched
. one of the most rapid vessels ever cor
o structed, her lines being most symmetrica
L and her engines remarkably Powerinl; Ior ne
- blockade she was eventually captured q
= Mobile, cotton laden, when the Union force
h took that city; they likewise captured an
j. other similar craft, also cotton laden, name
the Red Gauntlet. subsequently the Virgi
was brought to the Navy Yard, and was tram
vt ferred by the Naval Department to that of til
sr Revenue, but after she had entered the serVlc
- | of Uncle Sam she was found uDsuited for he
work, and it was resolved to put her up q
10 public auction. -,
N 25 feet depth of hold ~ feet; 400 tons mea
urement; two oscillating engines, 40 inch cy
1T inder, 40 inch stroke; two tubelar boilers
W draft of water, loaded, 8 feet. She Is
=, When the auction took place she was pu
IL chased by Mr.. Isaac Roberts, son OF Marsha
o o. Roberts, for $4,000 ~. According to II
Ia custombouse statistics of this city she is no
owned by Mr.. John +. Patterson, of Ware
> street, ia this city.
It The year 1870 found the virginius at Hob
KEN waiting for purchaser aud IN u sSs
~ this city stheught hcr an eligible Toescl
g blockade xunninEs NOS mesoiy ON aecouns