Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-25
RUTLAND, VT, THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER

tain Whiting was to receive the surren-
der, he stepped briskly toward the latter,
and the Spaniard and American lifted
| their caps in courteous salute.
Commander De la Camora remarked
that he had received copy of the pro-
tocol requiring the surrender of the Vir-
ginius, and was prepared to execute it
either on that or the following day.
Captain Whiting replied that he was in
structed to receive the vessel on Tues
day, but the hour would be left to the
convenience of the spanish commander.
1t was. then agreed that the ceremony
should take place at nine o'clock Tues
day morning, In reply to question of
| Captain Whiting, Commander De la
Camora stated that the VIrginius had
coal enough for six days. Salutes were
again exchanged, and Senor De la
Camora left the ship, the interview not
having consumed more than five minutes.
In the afternoon Captain Whiting and
Lieutenant Moriox returned the cal, and
were received with proper courtesies.
Conversation on this occasion was con-
fined to commonplace topics, and re-
marks about the harbor and surrounding
country,
Tuesday was bright day. The mist,
which on the previous day had hung
about the coast and obscured the Span
lsh vessel, now lifted and brought to
view q beautiful landscape. The only
spectators of the scene about to take
place were the men of the Despatch and
La Fayorita, and some ragged and dirty
Cubans in fishing smacks, apparently
intent upon fishing alone. At half-past
eight the gig came over from the La
Favorite to the Virginius, containing
the oarsmen and single officer AS the
latter stepped on the deck petty officer
and half dozen men who had stood
watch on the Virginius during the night
went over the side and remained in
dingy awaiting orders. Punctually, as
the bells on the Despatch struck for
nine o'clock, and before the echo
had died away, the American flag flew
to the flagstaff of the Yirginius and at
the same moment a boat containing
Captain Whiting and Lieutenant Mariox
put away from the Despatch. As they
ascended the ladder of the Virginius,
the single man on deck, who proved to
made courteous salute. The officers
then read their respective instructions,
and Captain de la Camora remarked that
in obedience to the requirements of his
government he had the honor to turn
over the steamer Virginius to the Amer
ican authorities; Captain Whiting ac-
cepted, and ascertaiRing that receipt
would be acceptable, gave one Aword
or two more, civily spoken, and the
Spauiard stepped over the side, signalled
his ,.aarsnlen, and in ten minutes was
again upon the deck of his own vessel,
having discharged with becoming digni-
ty the unpleasant duty imposed upon
him by his government. 1t appears
that the Virginius was towed to Havana
by the Isabella la Catolica the CON-
mander of which retired Immediately
and left the surrender to be made by
the Favorita, which had been in the vi
cinity of Bahia Honda, for several
months engaged in surveying duty.
The notorious steamer being once in
American hands no time was lost in put
ting her in order for sea. Assistant En-.
gineer 1.amdin of the prize crew, and
Chief Engineer Harris, of the Despatch,
first made an engineering survey, and il
twenty minutes reported the engines
:. very dirty, but otherwise in order. In
a wonderfully short time thereafter the
: fires were lighted and the vessel report.
ed ready for sea. The Yifginius proved
to be in a most filthy condition, and wa:
stripped of almost everything movable
excep u few verrnin which haunted the
mattresses and cushions in the cabin, anC
half dozen casks of water. The decks
were caked with dirt and nuisances re
Gently committed, combined with mole
, and decomposition, which caused fou
: stencil in the forecastle and below tht
, matches. In the cabin the odor OF car
bolic acid gave evidence that a faint at
! tempt had been made to make that par
of the vessel more inhabitable. Ou
, officers were reluctant to put the mel
!, into the forecastle, and slowed then
, away into hardly more agreeable quar-
ters afforded by the state rooms OF Ryar
and his murdered companions. Th'
4 search for trophies was partially re
warded by the discovery of bayonet
drill, and chart The latter was chart
] of the windward passages in the neigh
? borhood of Cuba, Jamaica and Hayti
q with annotations and marks Of course
: which must have been that OF the Vir
p ginius, before or during the memorable
, chase This trophy was carefully pre-
: served, on the bare possibility that |
may be of use hereafter.
e About 2 o'clock the Virginius steamed
: about 00yards, all going, well when thC
s engines refused to do duty, and it be
d came necessary for the Despatch to TAX
r her in tow. The two vessels went ou
9 of the harbor briskly, the Spanish fial
$ being displayed by the fort as the1
: passed that antiquated apology for
: fortifcation. In an hour we were a
t sea. At eight o'clock an American wa
: vessel was observed, and the fine tn!
Y Fortune, Lieutenant-Commander F. nj
e Green commanding, soon came up ant
i remained with the convoy during th
f night. In the meantime the prize offic
: ers, Mariox, Calhoun and Lamdin, wer
d unremitting in their labors on the Vir
e ginius, and at one o'clock she was agail
r under steam. At about eight o'clocl
e Wednesday morning consultation wa
i held, and under orders of Captain Whit
|. Tho Dacrotoh aaacod IN tow the Viy