, 1891-07-18
TIE WIZ IN CHILL.

from a special con- espoudent, dated Valpa-
paraiso, April 2G, giving full details Of the
blowing up ofthe insurgent ironclad Blanco
EncaIada, and the engagement between the
insurgent irOnclads and the forts DIT
Valparaiso which took place a few days pre-
viously. The correspondent says:
The Blanco Encalada lay at the entrance
of Valparaiso harbour on May II, and pre-
vented any Government vessels from either
entering or departing from the port. A
short time previously the Government had
taken the tug Many Florence, belonging to
private firm. and had armed her with Il
hundred pound gun. The BlancO Encalada
had prevented her from leaving the harbour
and she waited several days for a chance to
get out. Captain Gomi, Commander OF the
Blanco Fucalada, made several attempts to
sink the Mary Florence, without success.
On the night of The 18th, when there was
no moon and it was extremely dark, all the
lights on the Blauco Encalada were extin-
guiShed, and the irOnClad steamed into the
harbour. Her plan was to get as close as
possible 10 the Mary Florence, and to blow
her up with a torpedo. She succeeded in
getting into the harbour undetected, and
was soon c lose to the Government vessel.
A torpedo was promptly launched, but it
was aimed too low and missed the Mary
Florence. 1t however, struck a large float
lug dry dock and exploded, blowing the
structure to pieces. The crash of the eX-
plOsiOn was heard throughout the city, ana
in a short time the streets were thrOnged
with people. while the forces which manned
the ports were reused and got ready for ac-
ton. The most intense excitement was
created everywhere. The presence Of the
BIanco Encalada was quickly discovered,
and she was treated to a storm Of shot and
shell from all the guns in the forts. Beng
satisfied with the damage done, Captain
Goni put the ironclad about and steamed
out of range. Firing, however, was kept
up until daylight, but nothing tuI ther Of i'm
pOrtance occurred.
About this time a Government torpedo
boat, which had been under repair for some
time, was announced to be ready for service
in a few days. 1t was the intention OF the
Government to attack the BlanCo Encalada
ON the first opportunity, and this occurred
ON April Is, when the Blanco Encalada vas
still alongside the harbour. The night was
clear although there was no moon, and the
torpedo boat, accompanied by the Mary
Florence, stole out at about l o'clock in the
morning. The insurgent ironcIad was not
alone, as she had been joined on the prevl-
Gus day by the sloop-of-war O'Higgins. AL
most as soon as the two Government boats
were ClcNl " INC bOuA WV VIZ ~
tected by the lookout of the OHiggins,
which vessel Immediately opened fire. In
consequent e of the darkness it was almost
impossible to take accurate aim. and none
of the shot struck either craft. The Mary
Florence and the torpedo-boat kept Steadi-
ly on their course OWardS the BlancO Enca-
lada, and soon the heavy guns of the latter
began to play. Several shots struck the
water close to the two vessels, and as it
was feared that they would be sunk before
they could do any damage to the i%rOnclad,
both turned and made for the harbour at
full speed. The inSurgent ships pursued,
but the Government vessels had too great II
start, and for a time it appeared as though
they would escape. Suddenly, however, II
heavy shot from the 8lanco EEcalada struck
the Mary Florence and blew her out OF the
water, killing every one of her crew to the
number of II. The torpedo-boat did not
stay to pick up the wounded and drowning
sailors, but kept her course. The command
ers of the forrs had in the meantime been
watching the encounter as we'll as the dark
ness would permit, and as soon as the
Blanco Encalada and the OHiggins were
discovered fire was opened upon them. The
insurpent vessels we're about to cease their