Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-05-12
CRUISER CHARLESTON
Nov In Hot Pursuit Of the
Chilian Steamer Itita.
The Esmaraldl Said to ba Hutils Of
Cape San Lucas.



Wednesday while under arrest, carrying of
3 deputy United States marshal. The
ChiliAn cruiser Esmersld 10 believed to be
lying off Cape San Lucas, the souihefmos,
point of land in Lower California. awaiting
the supplies carried By the Isata. The sea
run to that point 10 about 700 miles.
The Itata being heavily loaded, although
feputed fast craft, IL 10 estimated that che
cannot exceed six to eight knots. while the
Charleston, which left San Pedro this
morning. il 10 thought certain that she can
overtake her or reach San Lucas in advance
Of the Transport. II not found there the
Charleston will proceed direct to Acapulco.
which will be the fi,st point at which any
further intelligence can be received. Even
though the cruiser Esmerslds is met as
convoy Of lts.a, and il is understood that
orders to the Charleston are explicit on pon,
of capture, and IL the Itsta is sighted is is
believed certain will be captured or there
will be fghs, or both.
The fact that the Chilian cruiser had &C
companied the Ifata north. was first aseer-
tanned through the deserters from the Itats
who escaped from that steamer at San
Disgo. 1t 10 definitely known that the Es-
meralda 10 now in port at Acapulco on the
Mexican coast, which fact the navy depart.
ment at Washington WAS probably fully ad
vised of when orders were issued to the
Charleston. The effort to keep the desti.
nation Of the Charleston secret. was natural,
as the representatives Of the Chilian insur-
gents would be prompt to advise the
EsmefaldA OF the intention Of the Ameri-
can government to seize the Isata.
1t lie now deemed probable that the Esmer-
aida will cruise north toward San Lucas in
in the hope of meeting the Itata before the
Charleston can arrive, and protect the cargo
and crew from seizure If possible. On
board the Itat& was the commander Of the
Esmeralda and large portion Of her crew,
presumably portion of the Esmeralds's q
secondary battery. Ii is therefore strong
incentive on the part Of the ChiliAn war
rhip to meet the Itata and prevent her from
being conveyed back to American waters.
That there is very strong likelihood Of
meeting Of the two war ships under con-
ditiops that will require fine management
to prevent fight is thoroughly recognized
by naval men OH this coast. The orders to
Captain Remy of the Charleston are well
authenticated to be binding in the matter Of
the recspture of the ltata, If sighted. II is
she can reach the scene in time. The
Charleston and Esmerslda are alike - to
general plan and possess nearly the same
armament. The Esmeralda has two pivot
guns, l0-inch calibYe, with u weight of 25
tons each, and the Charleston has two
eight-inch rifles, fore and aft, weighing
II 1.2 tons. Apart from The guns, the
armament Of the two ships are practically
the came, The Charleston is the swiftest
ship, and, while she has never been in
sclion, has splendid crew and fighting
commander.
The Charleston lefs San Pedro shortly
after O'Clock this morning and was
sighted 10 miles off Point Iona, having
made the 90 miles run in six hours, at a Is
knot gait. Additional orders were awaiting
her at San Diego but she kept on her south
ward course without stopping. There are
no telegraph stations south of Ensenada,
just south Of the boundary line in Lower
California, 80, save such meagre informa.
ton IS may be brought north by one OF the
Pansma or cosst steamers, nothing further
is likely to be heard from her or the Itats
until the Charleston returns or is heard
from at some Mexican port, which cannot
occur before Thursday or Friday mex.
Schooner Robert and Minnie's cffense
appears to be that she carried arms know-
ingly to aid insurgents against the recog-
mixed government Of q friendly power.
Her case IL not at all like that Of the Ala
bsms. The schooner did not load With
arms with the knowledge Of the United
States government. The arms we're loaded
here. but the public was led to believe that
the schooner was going up to Humbolt; !;
and the efforts made by the government to
over.ake the Itata and her cargo of arms
chow that the government is neutral in the
Chilisn trouble.
1t is gwen out today that the loading of
the steamer Montserait at this port for
Chill will be surrounded with the greatest
possible vigilance The vessel hiss been
chartered by w. r Grace & Co, to carry
sn exclusive grain cargo to Chill. II has
been said that the Chilian has employed 8
detective, and customs efiicers will closely
watch the process Of losdlng. 1t has been
arranged to have the wharf where she will
load illuminated by night by electric lights
Not only arms but explosives will be
watched for. The Montseratt fioished dis.
charging today.
A correspondent writing from Santisgo.
Chilli. under date of April 2. says: The
Bslmsceds government now confines itself
to the defense of its territory remaining
About 10000 troops are under Gen. Valas-
ques and the presidential party. As these
volunteers" were taken by force from
their homes they seek every opportunity
to change sides. and in every battle have
done so. +. is estimated that two. thirds of
the population of the country is opposed to
the present governing powers.
Headed 6ou,hsass.
SAN DiEoo. Cal, NAV IL Steamer
Charleston WAS sighted off Point Loma a,
ii 80 this morning under full steam aad
leading southeast.