Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-12-26
THE VlRGINIUS.
HER SURRENDER TO T Il E
UNITED STATES GOVERN
NJ N T.
THE FEW CEREMONIES ATTEN-
DANT ON HER TRANSt Err.
TO BE SENT 10 A NORTHERN
PORT,

KEY WEST, Dec. 1S-Noon.-The
small steamer Dispatch, Capt. W. D.
Whiting, which had been assigned by
he United States to the duty OF TT.
ceiving the surrender, sailed from Key
West on Sunday evening, and arrived
Id the harbor of Bahia Honda the
next morning, where she fourd the
Virginius in charge of the Spanish
sIoop-of-war La Favorita, Senior de La
Camcard Commanding. Shortly after
noon the latter came on board the
Dispatch and made arrangements with
Capt. Whiting for the surrender at 8
o'clock A. M. on Tuesday. His visit
was returned later IN the day by CAPT.
Whiting. Their intercourse was of
the most courteous character. On
Tuesday the weather was bright and
clear. The only spectators of the
men or hoard the Dispatch and La
Favorita aid some ragged and dirty
Cubans in fishing smacks, apparently
intent upon fishing alone. At s.
o'clock tho Gig came over from the La
Favorita to the Virsinius, containing
the oarsmen and n single officer. As
the latter stepped OF deck q petty
officer and half a dozen men. who had
stood watch on the Virs inius during
the night, went over the side and re-
| manned there, awaiting orders. Pune
tually. as the bells on the Dispatch
struck for 8 O'Clock, and before the
echo had di' d away, the American flag
| few to the flagstaff of the Nirginius,
and at the same moment boat, con.
| tanning Capt Whiting and Lieut..
Manax. put away from the Dispatch.
As they assembled the accommoda-
ton ladders of the Virginius, single
man on deck, who proved to be Senior
| De La Camara, advanced and made
| courteous salute The officers then
read their respective Instructions and
Capt. De La Camara remarked that,
IL obedience to the requirements OF
his Government, he had the honoE to
turn over the Virginius to tho Ameri-
can authorities.
Capt. Whiting accepted, and, on as
certaining that Il receipt would be &C
ceptable, gave one. A word or two
more civi!y spoken. aud the Spaniard
stepped over the side, signalled to hir,
carsmen, and in ten minutes was again
upon the deck of his own vessel, hay
ing discharged, with becoming ,iigni-
ty, the unpleasant duty imposed upon
him hy his Government.
The engines Of the Nirgi::i1is were
found to be in bad condition, and
the steamer had to be towed to sea by
the Dispatch. Both vessels left the
larbor at 3 p. NJ, the Spanish flag
being displayed by the fort rs they
passed.
At 9 p. y. they wer" met by The
naval tug Fortune. Steam! was sul'-
sequently gotten up on the Firg:niua,
ana she, with the Dispatch. went -
Tortugas where they met the Ossipcc
and a coal schooner. Provisions Will
be transferred from the Ossipee to the
Nirginius and whatever coal may he
needed will be supplied hy the schoon-
er. When supplied with provisions
and coal, the NirgInius will probably
be sent to q Northern port. Washing
ton and Norfolk are mentioned among
the prize officers, much to the disap-
poiEtment OF some Of the officers %
the Federal courts. who are now uny-
iously looking out for her arrival. She
vii! not enter the liarbpr of Key West
at all, express orders TO thut effect
having been received from Wash
ington.
The Fortune proceeded TO Key
West, whore she arrived at 4 o'clock
this z. NJ, with dispatch to Admiral
Scott giving a full account of the sur
render.
The officers and crews of the Dis
patch and La Favorita, members of
the prize crew and correspondent OF
the Tribune, were the only witnesses
of the surrender.
Not a single person appeared on the
Bay, and not single inhabitant OF the
town of Bahia Honda or the surround
ing country felt Sufficient interest in
the proceedings to walk Or sail to the
scene. Some Americans presented
themselves at the entrance OF the har-
Dor in chartered vessel, Eut not bein g
provided with clearance papers and
passports, were stopped by a boat
from the fort in several attempts to
, enter the harbor, and she finally with
drew without Witnessing the surrender