New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-24
TWO INTERNAL MACHINES.
THE STORY TOLD BY HoLGATE. THE PHILADELPHIA
MANUFACTURER OF INTERNAL MACHINES.

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A HAYTIAN STEAMER.
THE STORY TOLD BY HoLGATE. THE PHILADELPHIA
MANUFACTURER OF INFERNAL MACHINES
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 23.-1he gunboat Dessa-
lines, which is expected to leave the shlp-yard OF
Neatie d Levy this week for Port au-Prince, Hayti,
has not only narrowly escaped being blown to
atoms, but even now stands fair chance of never
reaching the agent of the Government which has
but partly purchased her. George Holgate,
the celebrated maker of dynamite machines,
who lives in this city, said to-day that
had the vessel attempted to sail from this port
under Haytian colors she would have been certainly
doomed to destruction in mId-ocean. Holgate had
been employed by Santar, one of the leaders Of the
revoluonists in the stormy little isle, to make an
internal machine of moro than Ordinary deadly
power. and he tells vivid story of the preparations
which were made to explode the craft.
The Dessalines is a reconstructed merchantmen,
for q number of years engaged in the West Indian
trade. The Haytian Government contracted for
her re-equipment as a war vessel and agreed TO paw
for her $150,000 OF this sum $4,000 has been
paid. 1t was agreed that the balance
should be forthcoming when the vessel reached
Port Prince The original agreement was that
n Haytian crew should man the boat here. and that
she should be paid for before leaving this port.
Hearing of this, Saltar, who is now in New-York,
came to Philadelphia and paid a secret visit to
the ship-yard. He was discovered through
letter sent from New-York, and both
of the before entioned plans were Immediately
modified. Santar set about deyising other tactics
The Consul received instructions from Minister
Preston to eqCip the vessel with an American crew.
When this had been DONE it was ascertaned by
the merest chance that among the crew were two
l1.1
the captain into consultation. told him
to discharge the crew, and warned
him to be excessively careful in obtaining sailors Of
whose ohar4 cter there could be no doubt. This
was done or at leas a crow has been selected which
has the entire confidence Of both the captain and
the Consul.
Finding himself again foilcd Santar went to Hol-
gate, as the latter admitted to-day, and asked him
if he could make an Internal machine capable
Of being smuQged on board the boat
and of sufficient power to destroy il utterly. Ilo-
gate agreed TO construct such a machine. not ask
ing of course. for what purpose IL was TO be ap-
Piled The machine was made. 1t was what is
known rs a four-day machine. 1t resembles an or
binary lump of coal, within which was the explOs-
i've liquid enclosed galvanized can
of sphcroida shape. The devices for exploding
the composition were ingenious. vial of a subtle
liqad was 80 adjusted to circular spring falling
into slot upon the disk of tiny brass wheel re-
volying by means of cock-work, that at the end oi
nnoty-six hours the vial would be broken. splitting
Its contents. Tho liquid possessed explo-
sye force eqnal to 900 pounds OF dynamite.
santar determined that the Innocontlooking
lump should be placed in the coal intended
for use on board the vessel. Two colored men were
employed by Santar TO place the apparent lump OF
coal IN tho hold of tho vessel. member OF the
crew had been bribed to set the machinery the first
night after leaving port aud hc was 10 keep general
supervision over il, and to be rescued when he
Jumped overheard by a boat sent for that purpose.
On the next day. however. il was announced that
the boat would sail under the American flag, and
that she would not pass into the possession OF the
Haytian Government until her arrival at POrt-au-
Prince. This announcement so frghend both San
tar ana those concerned with him IN the plot, chat
the bogus lump of coal was returned 10 Ilolgate.
who disposed of IT. for 81 900 to the agent of the
Cuban revOlutionists. IL was carried away on "a
New Orleans steamer. and Is now, Holgate thinks,
In Cuba
fernal machiur which 10 carried with him to New
York last week. This machine will be carried out
TO Hayti Ia steamer by one OF Santar agents.
SpaniaTd named Colqulnnez. II possible 1t VIII lie
placed on board the Dossaiines at Port-au-f Prince.
nolgate saws that there is no doubt that Saniars
scheme was discovered or at 10 st suspected, posi-
hly through the ireachery of the sailor who was to
have wound up" the apparent lump Of coal. and
that it was this discovery which led TO the plan To
sail the boat under American coOrs. lie has
already sent several of hIs machines to the Iaytian
rebels and Is now engaged IN making two more
He talks unreseryedy OI the plot Ieigting to the
Dcssalines hut says That he bad nothing 10 do with
IL beyond the making of the machine, Tor which he
was actually paid 81 .OOO.
More than month ago Mr.. LennoI. the Haytian
Consul I'm a conversation with n Press reporter told
him thar Santar, the agent Of the revOutIOnsts,
mad been seen this city, but that ho had not
been able to discover his object. although 1t might
be presumed.