Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-25
BIZ A GILLIAN TORPEDO.
Tho Launch Of the Pensacola Said to Have
Been Destroyed and Five Sailors Killed.

Tho Launch Of the Pensacola Said to Have
Been Destroyed and Five Sailors Killed.
The New York World this morning published
letter dated Callao, Peru, June "a, giving the
details of q sad accident at AFRICA, Chill. b,
Pensacola lost their lives. The steam launch Of
the man-of-war was blown up in the harbor Of
africa by the Gillian torpedo boat Condell and
every man on board killed The list of dead
includes o. c. Smith. New York; VIM. Hayes,
Brooklyn; Frank Peckham, Newark, n. j.
Teddy O'Rourke, Huntington, Ii; Arthur E.
Dickman, Pearsalls. IL
The accident occurred on the evening Of
June 1. The Condell, one of Balmaceda 8
cruisers, stole into the harbor of africa about 7
pm There was a heavy fog and objects at a
distance of 100 yards could rot be discerned
with any distinctness. The steam launch had
left the Pensacola for trip to the shore. and
was making her way slowly when suddenly
those on the man-of-war saw the little boat
lifted completely out of the water. There was
the dull echo of q half smothered explosion,
and then wreckage was scattered in every di-
recton. Not q sound of a human voice was
heard. The quiet that followed told plainly
that the men aboard the launch had either been
Killed or SO MANNED IS to be unable to make
their condition known.
The search light of the Pensacola was brought
into play, and at the same instant orders were
given to lower the boats. By the fash of the
search light the Condell was discovered only a
short distance away. The Chilian cruiser had
mistaken the launch for an insurgent boat and
had used torpedo with terrible effect. There
was intense excitement on board both vessels
when the situation Of affairs became known.
The commander of the Condell dipped his
colors and sent his chief officer aboard the
Pensacola. 1t then became known that the ex-
nf fhe tow 10
the part Of the cruiser. Such apologies az
could be offered were made, but the feeling
among the comrades Of the dead sailors was
very bitter. The bodies were not recovered.
The Pensacola proceeded to Iquique and on
June was again exposed to great danger.
Balmaceda s cruisers, the Lynch and the Con-
dell, pursued the insurgent vessel Aconcagua
and world have captured her had not the Es-
meralda hove in sight. She finally put the gov
eminent vessels to fight, but the engagement
was hot while it lasted. Shot and sLGil were
flying everywhere On board the Pensacola
the men crowded the rigging to see as much OF
the fight as possible. One shell exploded within
a ships length of the Pensacola bow.
The Pensacola will probably be ordered to
San Francisco for repairs.
THE REPORT DIscREDrrED.
At the Brooklyn navy yard the officers sta
toned there say they have had advices from
Admiral Mccain, who commands the fleet now
in Gillian waters, dated as late as July 6. The
admiral made no mention of an accident to the
rensacolas launch and the officers incline to
the opinion that there is no truth in the story.
An attempt was made to locate the relatives
OF the men mentioned as belonging in the
vicinity Of New York. Only those of Dick
man could be found. They say he left home
about a year ago and they did not know of his
whereabouts until month ago, when a letter
was received from him in which he said he was
in Brazil and doing well. He did not mention
the fact that lie was in the American navy.