The Delta independent., 1891-05-21
CHASING THE GILLIAN.
The Gunboat Charleston Sent in Pur-
suit of the Etata.

suit of the Etata.
The fact is no longer concealed even
In official naval circles that the swift
cruiser Charleston Is now of in hot chase
after the Chilian transport Etata, which
left San Diego last Wednesday while
under arrest and carrying of the United
States deputy marshal. The Etata, after
leaving San Diego. took on board a con-
signment OF rife. and ammunition, which
had becn shipped from San Francisco on
the schooner Robert and Minnie. The
transfer OF the latter's cargo is believed
TO have occurred OF the San Clemente
Island, northwest OF San Diego harbor,
and it is believed the Etata steamed south
Friday night or Saturday morning.
The Chilian cruiser Esmeralda is be-
lieved TO be lying OF Cape San Lucas,
which is the sou,hermost point of the land
in Lower California, awaiting supplies
carried by the E,ata. The sea run 10 that
point is about 100 miles. The Etata is
heavily loaded, and, although reputed as Q
fast craft, II is estimated that she can not
exceed six or eight knots, and the Charles
ton, which left San Pedro this morning, 1t
is thought certain can overtake her or
reach San Lucas in advance of the trans
port II not found there the Charleston
will proceed directly to Acapulco, which
will be the first point a. which any fur
ther intelligence can be received. Even
though the cruiser Esmeralda is met as
convoy OF the Etata it is understood the
orders OF the Charleston are explicit on
the point Of capture, and II the Etata is
sighted 1t is believed certain now that
there will be capture or fight, or both.
The fact that n Gillian cruiser accom-
panied the Etata northward was ascer-
tained through deserters from the Eta,a
who escaped from that steamer soma days
ago. ltwas first doubted that one Of the
most pow erful warships would 20 SO far
from the Gillian coast at this !upcture,
but it is now definitely known that the
Esmerslda is now at Acapulco on the
Mexican coast, which fact the navy de-
partment at Washington was probably
fully advised of when orders were issued
to the Charleston. The effort to keep the
destination of the Charleston a secret was
natural, as representatives of the Gillian
ihSuA kShs "oaiu oe piSoHt " auNise tue
Esmeralda of the intention Of the American
government to seize the Etata and it is
now deemed probable that the Esmeralda
will cruise northward in the hope Of meet,
ing the Etata before the Charleston can
arrive TO protect the cargo and crew from
seizure IL possible.
Apart from other considerations, it 1.
now known that on board the Etata was
the commander of the Esmcralda and q
large portion Of her crew and presumably
Of the Esmeralda's second battery.
There is therefore q strong incentive on
the part OF Gillian officers to meet the
Etata aud prevent her being conveyed
back TO American waters. The fact that
there appears to be very strong likelihood
OF n meeting Of the two evenly matched
warships under conditions that will re-
quirc management to prevent fight, is
thoroughly recognized by naval officers on
this Noast
The orders TO Captain Remey Of the
Charleston are binding in the matter of
the recapture OF the Etata, II sighted, and
on part Of the Esmeralda, it is believed
sho will fight II she can reach the scene in
timo.
Tho Charleston and Esmeralda are sim
ilar ships rs to general plans ana possess
nearly the same armament The Charles
ton is the swiftcr ship md, while never in
action, has n splendid crew and q fighting
commander.