The morning call., 1891-05-09
WAR-SHIPS AND WAR.
The Story of the Crnise OF the
Charleston a Canard.
Talk of an Attempt to Seize the Chilean
Steamer Itata and What Would Prob
ably Come of It.

The story that the cruiser Charleston had
been ordered to proceed to sea in quest of
the steamer Itata. that sailed out Of the har-
Dor at San Diego last Wednesday, while ia
charge of Deputy United States Marshal.
is entirely without foundation.
The cruiser was boarded yesterday by
THE CALLS marine reporter in search of
news. The officers stated that they. had had
great deal of fun reading the story pub
lished in morning paper. No orders have
been received to that effect, and if there had
the ship has not provisions enough on board
for trip of that kind.
The facts of the case are that the
Charleston has been ordered to proceed out
side the heads to test the new eight inch
guns placed on board her at Mare Island.
For this purpose the cruiser will go to sea
to-day and in all probability will be back at
her anchorage in the bay tonight
HARD TO FIND.
The chances are thousand to one that
the Charleston would not catch the Itata if
she did undertake to look for her, as the
Chilean steamer has three days the start Of
the cruiser in addition to the 500 or more
miles between this port and San Diego.
Besides, a ship at sea is a hard thing to find,
the cruiser may pass within twenty miles of
the runaway vessel without seeing her.
Again, stern chase is always long one
Tbs Charleston may be fast ship. but tie
Itata is not slow vessel by any means, as
she can steam fifteen knots an hour, and
the cruiser would never overhaul her in
race to Chile. The only vessels belonging
to the United States that would stand any
chance of falling in with the steamer are
the waT-shps San Francisco or Baltimore,
both OF which are now IN Chilean waters.
Orders may have been sent to them from
Washington to look out for the Itata, but If
they are lying in one of the bloekaded ports
the orders may not reach them for Il month
THE wAR-sHIP EsMERALDA.
1t was reported that large three masted
war-ship was lying off the harboI of San
Diego and that she was flying the Chilean
flag If this be true there is little doubt the
craft was the war-shlp ESmeTalda, now in
the hands of the rebels, and that she was
sent there to convoy the Itata down to Chile
after the arms and ammunition on board
the schooner Robert and Minnie had been
transferred to her. This was no doubt done
as soon as the steamer got outside the har-
Dor, and then, under the protection OF the
war-ship, the steamer started Tor Chile.
A NAVAL OFFICERS OPINION.
A naval officer who has spent some years
in Chile. and who knows the Esmeralda
we'll, was asked his opinion on the matter
enough stores and provisions OH board for
trip OF that SORT" he replied. g In the sec
ond place, she would not be liable to catch
the steamer If she tried, and if she
did and the steamer is conveyed
by the Esmeralda the American cruiser
would never be allowed to capture her and
if she tried to do so would have her hands
full. The Charleston was built for fighting
and so was the Chilean ship. The latter
carries as powerful a battery as does the
Charleston and is very little, if any. superior to
her in speed. or cOurse IN fight ofthat sort
the guns said to be on board the Itata would
count for nothing. as no doubt that vessel
would try. to escape. The Ranger is DIT
Costa RIGA and may be sent tn look for the
Itata, but would havs TO let her alone if the
Esmeralda was in the latter's company and
so would the Pensacola, as neither of those
vessels are a match for the ESmeralda.
Either of them, however, would make short
work OF the Itata if she fell into their hands
alone"