The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-23

I
with solid shot by Dutch fort in the har-
Dor Of Curacao. Two United States con-
suls were on board at the time and the
American flag was flying at the staff and
the Dutch flag at the fore, according t.
custom. The story is all the more remark
able from the fact thatno cause can be as
signed for the outrage. A circumstantial
account Of the attack, accompanied by aifi-
davits OF eye.witnesses, was yesterday for
warded 10 the authorities at Washington
by Horatio U. Beach, United States Con
sui at Puerto Cabello, who saw the occur
renee.
RECORDED IN THE LOG.
First Officer William Woodrich, OF the
Valencia, in being questioned by reporter
about the firing, produced the log in which
the occurrence was stated as follows
MONDAY, February l2-Srong wind
from the northeast and clear weather. Cast
of lines and proceeded out to sea atten
minutes to six p. N. The ship being about
quarter Of a mile from shore a solid shot
was fired from the fort at theship. 1tstruck
the water about fifteen feet from the ship
in line between the mainmast and the
storm. The pilot, seeing this, left the ship
In company with the American Consul at
Curacao. The ship was put on her course
and proceeded on her way.
First Officer Woodrich explained that
there are two rocks, on on each side OF the
entrance to the harbor, which was exceed.
ingly narrow, expanding inland in broad,
circular basin. The gun was fred from
the fort on the lefthand side, which Is the
principal one. The flag Of Holland flies
there, and the fort itself IL o heavy granite
construction, armed with gunsin easements
and also en- barbette. But the gun was
not one oi the heavy pieces mounted in
the fort, but was field piece, which
was dragged out by some half dozen men,
loaded with shot, pointed at the steamer
and fred before the eyes OF every one on
the vessel. The entrance was so narrow
that they could clearly sec all that took
place upon the esplanade Of the fort. He
had no idea why the shot had been fired,
and did not know OF any trouble between
the steamer and the authorities. When
asked whether the soldiers could have been
practicinga at a mark, he said be did not think
so. There was no floating target nor any
thing OF that sort, and he was certainly OF
opinion that the shot was fred at the
steamer.
Captain Hess was exceedingly reluctant
to say anything about the affair. Be'said
that he was IN American citizen and an
American sailor, and would be the last
man to permit an insult to the American
flag. When questioned as to any evasion
on bis part Of quarantine laws he explained
that no trouble OF that kind would occur
on his leaving the harbor. s.
MR.. DoSNELLY's STORY.
The following story was made to Her.
aid reporter yesterday afternoon by Mr..
Alexander G. Donnelly,a mining engineer.
Mr.. Donnelly, who was passenger on the
Valencia, had lively recollection Of the
affair, having been on deck when the shot
was fired. -......-.
"When the steamer left Puerto Cabello," !"
he said, "there were on board besides my
self, Consul Beach, Captain Brotherton,
with his wife and child, and about ten
Spaniards. We arrived at the Island Of
Curacao on the morning OF February 9,and
discharged our Spanish passengers. A large
amount Of coffee was taken on board, and
at 6 o'clock on the afternoon Of the 18th
we left our dock. The immediate circnn-
stances that then occurred were these:-As
we steamed slowly out through the exceed.
ingly narrow channel which flows between
the two forts to the sea l satdown behind
the smoking room on the hurricane deck
and faced the flagstaff. did this to get q
better view OF the town on either side Of
the harbor. As we steamed ahead look
ed forward and saw Captain Hess and the
Dutch government pilot in their places on
the bridge. also observed one oil the sail.
ors standing at the flagstaff ready 10 dip
our colors when we should pass the fort.
Suddenly ! noticed startling change in
the countenance OF the sailor as he looked
in the direction Of the Notifications on the
port side. GEs.t. -
ANRSAcISa DENOMINATION. =
"Glaucipg in that direction l myself saw
a company Of oisoldiers shotting heavy can
non, which they had run out on the parade
ground, which fronts the Governor Gener-
ais house, in the rear Of the fort. It was
hauled up next to the bastion commanding
the entrance TO the harbor. AT this point
in the proceedings l heard some one shout
ing from the bridge on the ship to the SOL
diers at the gun. 1t was the government
pilot, and as he spoke in Dutch could not
tell what he said. l have since learned
that he told Captain Hess that the
soldiers were going 10 fire at the shin. AT
this moment the sailor ut the flagstaff dip
ped our ensign twice to the fort. Then I
heard the Captains voice as he shouted
back from the bridge, Raise that flag and
don't you lower It again.
ave were at this time opposite 10 the
flagstaff OF the fort, which was not more
than forty yards away, and the steamer
was poking her pose out Of the narrow
channel into the sea. went forward and
found everybody excited. They were all
satisfied that we would be fired at, but
could not understand why such demon.
stration was made against merchant yes.
sci. We were running at hall speed, and
were about eight hundred yards beyond
the fort when the steamer stopped TO dis
charge the pilot. United States Consul
Barnes, Of Curacao was preparing 10 go
back with the pilot having only come on
board to sec Consul Beach safely of.
UNDER PIRR.
~ was then standing on the port side
with Captain Brotherton, both Of us look.
ing toward the fort. l saw the soldiers fall
into position behind the gun and stand in
regular drill order as man stepped for
ward and fred 1t. The smoke and flame
leaped from the cannon's mouth and in
another instant We all saw q Gnot strike the
water about sixteen feet from the side Of
the ship Ia direct line with the spot
where stood. The water was lifted high
in the air and at the same time there was