Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-05

AohAN Dlh0Ot July lhO OhlACdAA
transport Itata and the United States
cruiser Charleston arrived in port at 80
this morning direct from Iquique. The
Itata entered the harbor and anchored
in the channel while the Charleston re-
mained outside the heads. The Itata
was at once boarded by revenue officers.
The Itata and Charleston came direct
from Iquique, being out twenty-three
days.
, HISTORY OF THE VOYAGE.
SAN DIEGO, July 4.-The cruiser
Charleston and the Itata were sighted
off Coronado Beach at O'Clock this
morning, and at O'Clock the Itats
steamed slowly into the harbor, flying
the Chilean colors, her rigging and spars
gaily decorated with bunting. No one
has been on board the Itata, as orders
were issued from the Charleston to allow
no one on board until such time as she
might be delivered to the authorities.
Several passengers took advantage OF
the return of the vessel from Iquique to
secure passage. These came ashore
with several Of the Itata's officers, and
from one and another the following facts
in regard to the departure of the Itata
from this port and the incidents of her
trip to lou uique were cleaned:
That the Itata came to San Diego to
lay in supplies and secure the arms on
the schooner Robert and Minnie was
not denied. The Esmeralda had &C.
companied her well up the coast, and
transferred her commander to the Itata,
then returning to the vicinity oi
Acapulco, until the return of the Itata.
THE STORY OF THE ESCAPE.
The story OF how the Itata left this
port has been told. On reaching the
open sea the vessel sailed northeast,
met the schooner near San Clemente
island, and took aboard 5000 rifles and
ammunition. Expecting pursuit she
crowded on all steam for the south to
join her armored consort. This she sue
ceeded in doing off Acapulco, where q
council of war was held. 1t was decided
that the Itata should proceed at once to
Iquique and deliver the arms to the
insurgents. sH
THE CHARLESTON BALDY FOOLED.
Hardly had this been decided upon
when the lookout reported smoke on the
northern horizon, directly astern. The
vessele parted company, the Itata stand
ing away for the south under full pres
sure, while the Esmeralda leisurely bore
away for Acapulco.
The Charleston sighted the Esmeral-
da, and headed on the latter's course.
Ad oha Iror %hn 1f
the Esmeralda's officers correspondingly
rose, and when the pursuer was found
to be the Charleston they were over
course, and given the Itata an oppor-
ton steamed into Acapulco, and few
the harbor, dropping by the Esmeralda,
whose officers were nearly frantic over
their failure to procure coal.
AN UNwELcoME SURPRISE.
The Itata was forced to put into Quay
oquil for coal and supplies. Having Sc
cured these, she again set out on her
course and steamed boldly into the port
of Iquique with 5000 repeating rifles,
1900 tons Of coal and good supply of
provisions for her beleaguered comrades.
Here she ran into the United States
war ships lying in that port. The Off
GERS of the Itata did not know the ves-
sci had already been delivered to the
United States, and that formal de-
mand had been made on the insurgents
for the surrender of the vessel, accom-
panied by the following from the flag
ship "If you refuse and do not give
her up peacefully, will seize every one
of your ships and blackade every port
on your coast"
THE SURRENDER.
Their reply was simply an order for
Captain Mauzeum to deliver the ship
Itata and her cargo into the hands of
the United States authorities.
Commander Schley, of the Baltimore,
went aboard of her and presented the
order to Captain Mauzeum, with the
Words "In the name of the United
States of America coniscate this ship
and her cargo"
That's all right; that's all right"
replied Captain Mauzeum. II am a
German subject; you can do nothing
with me. Take the ship"
The commander of the Esmeralda,
who had remained on board the Itata
when the two vessels parted company
off Acapulco, could not be found. He
had accomplished his mission, and
quietly dropping over the side Of the
vessel, he in company with several
brother officers, was soon on shore and
safe from further pursuit.
THE ITATA's CARGO.
On taking possession of the vessel,
United States officials and representa-
tives from the Chileans went aboard
and took stock of the cargo. They found
5000 rifles, some ammunition and 1900
tons of coal. Preparations were at once
made to return, and Lieutenant Com
mander Todd and Ensign Churchill,
from the Charleston, were put in COM
mand. Her engines were found to be
in bad condition, owing to the terrible
strain put upon them, and Engineer
Hollis, of the Charleston, was sent
aboard to superintend the necessary re-
pairs. This consumed several days, but
finally the hour Of departure was set for