The morning call., 1891-05-07
MADE Her ESCAPE.
The Chilean Steamer Itata Puts
Out to Sea.
Deputy United States Marshal Spencer
Bodily Carried OF.
She Carried Crew Of Eighty Heavily
Armed Hen Unsuccessful Attempt 10
Capture the Robert and Minnie.
epecial 70 THE MoRNINs oAnL

SAN DIEGO, May 6.-About $50 o'clock
this evening the Chilean steamer Itata lifted
her anchors and quietly steamed down
the bay and out into the ocean, carry
ing with her Deputy United States
Marshal Spencer. who, as far as
now known, is still on board. The
departure OF the Itata was not unexpected,
though it was not supposed she would leave
as soon as she did. 1t was rumOred late this
afternoon that she was preparing to leave
the barber, ard the absence of any of the
steamers crew from the streets added weight
to the story. At o'clock the captains
gig, which had been lying at the foot of Fl
street, pulled off for the vessel with six men
aboard, and as soon as the boat was hoisted
to the deck the Itata weighed her anchor
and steamed down the stream.
Marshal Gard was not aware that the
captain had any intention of disregarding
his authority, for he left for Point Iona in
the launch Tia Jnana just ole hour
ahead of the big steamer, and had
passed the point and proceeded
some distance out to sea before
ll6 CuuIu nave DetU dh dIG ludJ tl6 1illd
was following him. Marshal Cards errand
on his recent trip ont of the harbor was to
take the schooner Robert and Minnie any
where she might be found in the open
seas outside of Mexican jurisdiction as
piratical craft.
The Marsha's launch left the wharf at 4
o'clock. Besides Marshal Gard there were
aboard: A. G.. Spaulding of San Francisco,
a. NJ. ConaCghy, Captain Crawford and
four soldiers from the barracks, armed with
rifles and ammunition, who had been
detailed to go on the expedition,
1t is known that the Marshal
received instructions from Washington that
he had authority to take the Robert and
Minnie on the high seas under the neutrality
and piracy laws, but who these orders were
issued by could not be ascertained.
Marshal Gard was very close-mOuthed
when questioned on this point simply say
ing that he meant business and he intended
to bring the schooner back if he came up to
her. At O'Clock this morning Marshal
Gard and party left for the Coronado
Islands, where the Robert and Minnie
was last seen yesterday. just outside
sail appeared which the tug made for. AS
soon as her master saw the Tia Juana he
put about and ran south, in order. it was
supposed, to get into Mexican waters before
he was Overhauled.
The meeting place of the schooner and
tug was two and one-half miles south of the
international line, about fifteen miles south
east of Point Iona. The tug passed TO the
wiBdward Of the Robert and Minnie,
and those aboard had a good chance
stern were the words, Robert and Minnie,
San Francisco" The schooner was sailing
under fore and main sails, with no jib on
topsails, and was so heavily laden that she
made but slow progress. There were but
four of her crew visible, and these watched
haf
glass from their position on the deck
The schooner being in Mexican waters
Marshal Gard returned to port to telegraph
for instructions. There has at no time
been any real doubt IN the
minds of those best informed that
Minnie carried was intended for the Chilean
transport, and that it would be transferred
to the hold of the Itata for use by the insur-
gents as soon as the big steamer obtained
what supplies she needed In port. 1t is
known that communications have passed
between Captain Ferral OF the schooner and
Captain MauZeum of the Itata, both while
the Robert and Minnie was at Catalina and
since her arrival off this harbor. The
Chileans laid their plans we'll and they
were carried out to the letter, regardless of
the interference of the United States author
tiles.
At midnight tonight Marshal Gard and
party returned from outside, and reported
that the Robert and Minnie had completely
disappeared. A Deputy Marshal who had
been placed in small boat at
the entrance to the harbor to watch
for developments reported that when
the Itata steamed out Pilot Dill was
sandwiched between two armed Chileans,
while four cannon guarded bow and
stern. He reports that at least eighty
armed Chileans were drawn in line on the
decks, showing that while the vessel was
in port she was plentifully supplied with
men, arms and ammunition. While here
she displayed only enc small cannon and a
crew of about sixty men. The deputy re-
= ports that when the vessel left the harbor
she turned north and steamed toward San
Clemente