The Portland daily press., 1891-05-08
her DECKS COVERED WITH ARMED MEN
The Itata Steamed Away Carrying
Off Her American Keeper.
Now Let Some Of Our New Navy
Bring the Vessel Back.
Uncle Sam Defled In His Own Wat
ers BY chlIian Insureents.

SAN DIEGO. Cal. May 7.-About $50 last
evening the Chilian steamer Itata lifted her
anchors and quietly steamed down the bay
and out into the ocean, carrying with her
Deputy United States Marshal Spencer who,
as far as known, is still on board. The de-
parture Of the Itata was not unexpected,
though 1t was not supposed she would leave
as soon as she did.
1t was rumored late In the afternoon that
she was preparing to leave the harbor, and
the absence Of any of her crew from the
streets added weight to the story. At 5
o'clock the captains gig, which had been
lying at the foot of ii street, pulled off for
the vessel with six men abroad, and as soon
as the boat was hoisted to the deck tie Itata
weighed her anchor and steamed down the
stream.
Marshal Gard was not aware that the cap
tain had any intention OF disregarding his
authority, for he left for Point Iona in the
launch Tia Juan just one hour ahead Of the
big steamer. and had passed the point and
proceeded some distance out to sea before he
could have been aware that the Itata was
following him. Marshal Cards errand on
his second trip out Of the harbor was to take
the schooner Robert and Minnie anywhere
she might be found In the open seas outside
OF Mexican jurisdiction as piratical craft
The marshal's launch left the wharf at
O'Clock. Besides Major Gard there was
aboard A. Spaulding OF San Francisco, A.
M. Conoughy. Capt. Crawford. and four SOL
diers from the barracks armed with rifles
and ammunition belts, who had been detailed
to go on the expedition at the request of Mar
shall Gard.
1t Is known that the marshal received in
structions from Washington that he had au-
thority to take the Robert and Minnie on the
high seas under neutrality and piracy laws,
but who these orders were issued by could
not be ascertained. Marshal Gard was very
reticent when questioned on this point, SIM
ply saying he meant business, and he intend
ed to bring the schooner back If he came up
70 her. At 4 o'clock Wednesday morning
Marshal Gard and party left for Coronado
Islands, where the Robert and Minnie was
last seen on Tuesday. Just outside sail
as her master saw the Tia Juana he put
about and ran south In order, 1t was sup
posed, to get into Mexican waters before she
was overhauled. The meeting place Of the
schooner and tug was two and half miles
south Of the international line, about Is
miles southwest Of Point Iona.
The tug passed to windward of the Robert
and Minnie, and those aboard had good
chance to observe her closely. On her stern
were the words, Robert and Minnie. San
francisco" The schooner was sailing under
fore and mainsail. without jib or t0psails,
and was so heavily laden that she made but
slow progress. There were but four Of her
crew visible, and these watched the move-
ment Of the tug anxiously Though glass
from their position ON the poop. The
schooner being In Mexican waters, Marshal
Gard returned to port to telegraph for In
structions.
The deputy marshal who had been placed
on small boat at the entrance to the harbor
to watch for developments, reported that
when the Itata started out Pilot Dill was
sandwiched between two armed Chiliaus,
while four cannon guarded both bow and
stern. He reports that at least so Chilians
were drawn up In line on the decks, show
ing that while the vessel was In port she was
plentifully supplied with men, arms. and
ammnniti0n