Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-05-14
pUnsUED INSURGENTS MAr rom.


The Charleston Closing in Upon the In
surgent steamer Itata--The Latter Has
Strong Help Mt Hand.
Cry OF Mexico, VIA GALVESTON, May 10.
The CHILEAN steamer Itata is sailing diff
Guilty, and the United States war ship is
gaining on her. Il is expected that the
two vessels will reach Acapulco within
few hours of each other.
BATTLE OF NAVAL MONSTERS.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 1.-THE definitely
ascertained fact that the Chilian insurgent
warship Esmeralda Is at the port of AGA
pulco, Mexico, awaiting the arrival of the
ltata, on board of which is the Captain of
the Esmeralda, has excited renewed in
terest in the chase of the ltata from the
TACT that it is believed these two vessels
would fight any United States vessel that
attempted to take the Itata
IL is known, too, that there are four
United states vessels in the Pacific to-day
in quest of the CHILEAN steamer Itata. The
chase, on the part Of the Charleston will
be Kept up until the territory allotted to
the san Francisco and Baltimore in the
South Pacific is reached. The department
has instructed Captain Remey to inspect
harbors and waterways along the coast
where, in his judgment the fugitive vessel
is likely TO stop
While Admiral Brown of the San Fran
have been ordered to inherent the Itata i'm
the south, Admiral Mccain of the Pensa-
cola has been directed to keen the depart-
ment posted on the attitude Of the rebels.
ana anything like q warlike preparation
IN that direction would be promptly met.
Whlle many persons questioned whether
the captain of the Esmeralda would have
the temerity to open fire upon United
States vessel, there are those who affect to
believe that the Esmeraldas commander
would not hesitate to try conclusions with
ellher one or more of our vessels, and, as
she Is one of the mightiest war ships, il
would be battle Of giants.
The Esmeralda has two pivot guns Of
lO-inch calibre, with weight of rs tons
each, while the Charleston has two S-inch
rifles, fore and aft, weighing l21 tons.
This is regarded by some critics as out
matching the Charleston in case of "a fight.
Dut apart from these guns the ornaments
!n the two ships are practically the same
The Charleston is the swiftest ship, AND
while never in action has a splendid crew
and fighting commander
Inc charleston carries six six-inch and
Two eight-inch breech-loading rifles In her
main battery, with 100 rounds of ammu
milton for each gun Her secondary
battery consists of four six-pounder, two
firing rifles, four 81 nm. Hotchkiss reyoly-
ing cannon and two Calling guns.
The main battery of the baltimore com
sists of six-inch breech-loading rifles and
four eight-inch breech-loading rifles. and
she carries 800 rounds of ammunition for
the former and 3O5 rounds for the latter.
Her secondary battery is the same as that
Of the Charleston.
The main battery of the San Francisco
consists of twelve six-inch breech-loading
rifles, for which she carries /, 145 rounds OF
ammunition. Her secondary battery con-
sists OF four six-pounder, four three
guns, three 81 NM Hotchkiss REVOLVING
rifles and four Calling guns.
The combined main batteries of these
ships therefore amount to twenty.four
slX-inch and six eight-inch breech-loading
rifles, while in the secondary batteries ara
twelve. six-pounder, eight three-pounder
and six one-ponnder rapid-tiring guns,
eleven 81 nm. Hotchkiss revolving can.
non, and eight Calling guns.