Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-10
Surrender Of the Gillian Vessel Itata with
its Cargo of Arms.

Surrender Of the Gillian Vessel Itata with
its Cargo of Arms.
IT WILL BE RETURNED TO San DIEGO
UNDER Convoy OF THE AMERICAN
STEAMER ''CHARLRsToN,' THAT PUR-
SUED BUT DID Nor OvERTAKE HER.
The following is special cable dispatch
to the N. Y. Herdld:-
IQuIQUE, Chill, June 5, 1S91.-Tbe Itata
incident is practically at an end. A prize
crew from the United States cruiser
Charleston went aboard the long sought for
craft this morning and took formal posses
sion of her.
The steamer arrived in this port Wednes-
day night and took up position near the
Charleston. Her long aud successful run
from San Diego and her evasion of the
U. S. war ships insured her royal well
come from the citizens of Iquique and she
received it yesterday morning when it was
seen that she was at last in port.
CAPT. MAuzUM A HERO.
Capt. Mauzum, her commander, is the
hero of the hour and was given a rousing
reception by the citizens when he landed
and reported his arrival to the insurgent
authorities. He was warmly received, too,
by mis- superior officers. though they gave
him officially the unwelcome tidings that
his running away had been of no avail and
that he was to return to San Diego as a
prize of the Charleston.
The Captain took the matter philosoph.
ically and soon returned to his ship to pre-
pare her for the surrender.
In the meantime the United States Con.
sui had been officially notified that Admiral
Mccain could have possession of the late
fugitive whenever he chose. He at once
informed the Admiral of this fact and q
boats crew in the steam launch, in charge
of an officer, was sent to the Itata. with a
request to the Captain to repair aboard the
flagship Baltimore with view to discuss
ing the condition of bis vessel and the
stores and repairs needed to enable her to
make the return trip, and to officially in
form him that he was to regard his vessel
as being subject to orders from the Ameri,
can Admiral.
ABOARD THE BALTIMORE.
Of course Capt. Mauzum accepted the
Invitation, and stepping into tie launch
was soon aboard the Baltimore.
In the Admiral's cabin he found Admir-
ais Mccain and Brown, Capt. Schley and
Capt. Remey, of the Charleston, who had
previously been SUI moned to take part in
the interview and to hear what Capt. Maui
yum had to say about the condition of his
ship, his run from San Diego to Tocopillo
and the manner in which he evaded the
Charleston.
As result of the conference it was ar.
ranged that prize crew from the Charles
ton should go aboard the Itata this MORN
ing and take formal possessionlof the ship.
TOOK FORMAL POSSESSION.
This programme was carried out to the
letter, and as soon as she can be got into
shape she will start for San Diego, under
the convoy of the Charleston.
There she will be held to await the action
of the U. s. courts, not only for her alleg.
ed violation of the neutrality laws. but for
contempt of court in running away while
she was in custody of thu U. s. marshal.
ALL THE ARMS ABOARD.
Contrary to the general impression all of
the arms and ammunition, consisting of
5000 rifles and 3 900 900 rounds of am.
munition. which the Itata received from
the schooner Robert and Minnie are still in
the hold of the steamer and will return to
San Diego with her.
Just what led the insurgents to surrender |
the ship and arms is not known definitely, |
bit the general opinion is that Admiral |
Mccain informed the authorities that un. |
less the cargo as we'll as the ship were CIV |
en- up to him he, in conformity with his in.
structions from the Navy Department, |
would take action to get them.
The rebels have all they want on their |
hands now with Bslmaceda's forces and |
had no desire to bring down on them the |
enmity of Uncle Sans naval forces here,
including as they do such powerful ships az
the Baltimore, Charleston and. San Fran
CISCO.
LOOKING FOR RECOGNITION.
Then, it is hoped by the rebel leaders
that the quiet surrender and the SUBJ
seqnent negotiations may induce the U. s.
government to accord them belligerent
rights. If they can accomplish this the loss
of several Itatas, with much more valuable
cargoes, would be cheap prica to pay.
1t will be soma time before the Itata will
be ready to start northward. Her machin-
cry is in very bad shape, and unless it was
broken purpOsely, after the vessel arrived
at Tocopilla, it is wonder that she sue
ceeded in getting to Chill at all. The
Charleston will also need several days in
which TO refill her coal bunkers.
Admiral Mccain has ordered board of
survey, consisting chiefly of the officers of
the engineers department, to go aboard the
Itata, make a careful overhauling of her
and boilers and report IN detail
what is necessary to get her in condition
for the voyage. As soon as this is done
force of men as large as it is possible to get
will be put aboard and the work will be
rushed.
The Itata is by no means a formidable
war vessel. Her armament consists only
Of few small cannon and three or four
Hotchkiss revolving cannon and Gatling
guns.
The Itata did not get the arms at San
Deigo, as had been supposed, but were
transferred to her eff the coast of the unin-
habited island of San Clemente, forty miles
from the continental coast. by the Robert
and Minnie.
The Itata arrived at Tocopilla on June 8
and was instantly ordered to Iquique,
where she anchored at eleven P. M. on the
same day.