The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-18
RIVAL CAPTAINS TALK.
Charleston and Esmeralda To-
gether at Acapulco.
THE CHILEAN COMMANDER BOLD
Close Watch Made Over Every More-
ment Of the Esmeralda.
Cowmodore McCann Now in Command
OF the Charleston--Two Days spent
co Get Coal for the Americai

NEW YORK, May ia dispatch to the HtrdH
from Acapulco, dated May II, says: Ever since
her arrival here the Charleston's ships company
has been on the keen jum.,to get ready for sen
again. Tho work OF coaling, usually so dis
tasteful to man-ef war s-men, has been rushed
along as II II were pleasure. Tonight, witha
sufficient supply OF coal for ten days at high
speed, the Charleston will leave the harbpr
and continus to chase the Itata. No ono btt
Captain Remey knows what course tho. Charles
ton will steer after she gets outside. The Esmer.
aida still lies near the harbor entrance, bat has
not yet coaicd. Her captain IL apparently
as ignorant of the Itata's whereabouts
as we are. There can be no doubt that the Es-
rneralda 10 kept informed by telegraph Of what
Is going on in the United States. One Of her8of-
fccrs ia often seen &C the cuble Office, recciv-
ing or sending messages. II is ru-
mored. that money viii be transmitted
TO the Esmeralda by scafle tratsfcr
be of little service TO the Itata, It even the ht-
ter arrived Off the port, for both ships must
be nearly cleaned out Of ecal. The
Esmeraldas officers and crew talk very
freely about the Itats, but evidently they do so
in the hope that they VIII thereby deceive Cap
fain Remcy, of the Charleston. One Of their
stories is that they have already met the ltAta
and taken her stores and arms from her. An
other is that the Itata has met coal-laden ves-
sci at sea and il now pushing southwark
with full bunkers. These fairy tales overlook
the fynpossibIlity of transhipping heavy cargo
Of coal or or arms IN the open sea. Such an
operation, even with every preparation made
and modern appliances, would require week
OF smooth sea, and It would be q difficult and
dangerous Job then. What the Charleston IN
tends doing will depend upon Captain Remey's
<lS%
tinue straight on for Chile, Stopping
for coal at Panama, in order to, join
the other ships Of our navy At Iquique.
As the Itata must turn up there eventually,
perhaps that will be the surc6t NAy TO catch her
After sailing tonight the Charleston will not be
heard from again for several days, or she may
next be reported bringing the Itata into port to
get coal before taking her North
SAN Francisco, May liza diSratch to the
Chronicle from Acapulco, under date of the 18th
says: As the Charleston neared the harbor she
passed very close to the Chfean man-0f'war
Esmeraida- The crews of both vessels wcre on
deck, and there seemed to be alively curiosity
TO ascertain the strength and resources OF thu
two rivals. As soon as the Charleston steamed
into port and dropped her anchor preparations
were at once made for any emergency and
this was done the Esnieralda changed
ground and steamed into the harbor. 1t was
learned from those on shore that the Esmeralda
had tried two days ago to get coal at Acapulco,
but had failed. Her commander ATTEMPTED to
secure supply at several large houses, bnt they
all refused, as he could put up no money. 1t
was alsoiearned that the EsmeraIda has been in
the habit of speaking every vessel that she
meets, doubtless through fear that the Itata
may pass her. -
This morning formal interview took place
between Captain Remey. Of the Charleston, and
the captain of.the Esmeralea< The latter eoIa
mander, in commenting on the chase Rr tAe'
1tata, said that the Charleston would never take
the Ifata until the Esmeralda was sunk.
Captain Remey did not seem at all alarmed by
this bluff, but said quetly,sI have my orders 70
take the Itata. The fact that the Esmeraida is
present will make no difference"
Those who heard the tone III which Remey
pronounced these words say they will give big
odds that If the Itata comes within sight OF
Acapulco there will be a fight, unless the
Chilean commander takes water. In Acapulco
1t is generally regarded as certain that fight
will be the outcome should the Itata call in
here. The Charleston is admirably equipped
for action,3 and everything is in
fighting trim.S The closest watch is being main
tanned over the Esmeralda's movements. 1t is
not known whether the Esmeraida is supplied
with torpedoes nor whether she has good sup
ply Of ammunition. AS her commanders ex-
CuGQueI ID very lows nOWtfeI. lS pEOudDit ltiut
shehas no large amount on board.
CITY OF MEXICO, May I7.--The American ship
Charleston and Chilean warship Esmerada are
lying at the entrance OF the harbor of Acapulco.
The Chilean captain says that his vessel has not
called at any American port, consequently il is
not probable that the United States authorities
will interfere with the movements OF either
himself or vessel. An official of
the EsmeraIda, in reply to a ouection TO
H..
as to the probability of an old-fashioned sea
fight between the Charleston and Esmeralda,,
said in a tocular and rather ambiguous way:
.sOh, the Itata is already ont of danger;
she had plenty of coal and provisions to carry
her to her destination" This remark has given
rise to the report that the Itata coaled at sea
and proceeded 10 her destination while the
Chilean warship steamed to Acapulco TO throw
the United States authorities of the track.
WASHINGTON CRY, May l7.-No information
has been received at the navy department re-
garding the movements Of the Itata, nor have
any further orders been sent TO the Charleston
directing her future movements. The only
telegram received today was one from Captain
Remey saying that the Charleston is still at
Acapulco taking in coal, and nothing had been
heard or seen of the ftata. Tho EsmeraIda is
also in port aud has been refused coal by the
Mexican authorities. An order was sent today
by Secretary Tracy to Commodore McCann, now
on his flagship baltimore, at Iquique, Chile,
placing the Charleston under his Immediate
command. so that the future movements of the
vessel viii be under his direction instead of
under orders from the navy department as she
has been since leaving San Francisco in search
OF the Itata.
There are now two acting rear-admiraIs In
Chilean waters-commodore McCann, on the
Baltimore, and Commodore Brown, on the San
Francisco. The command OF the squadron will
devolye upon Admiral Mccain, as the senior
officer, both admirals, however, keeping their
individual commands, but they will, in
future, act in concert 1t is not thought
day, placing the Charleston under the
direction of Commodore Mccann, will make any
change in the policy 10 be pursued by the navy
department relative 20 the pursuit of the Itata
The order was issued because the officials of the
navy department were OF the opinion that the
movements of the Charleston, As well as those
of the other vessels of the Pacihc
squadron in search of the Itata, cosssd
be better controlled under the orders OF
Commodore McCann than under orders from 4
place so far from the scene of action as wssss-
ington. Secretary Tracy said tonight that the
situation would remain practically tilH AAfae -
it wss yesterday. Commodore Nee aaa ~ saiss
would remain as senior ofh1g som
mand OF the naval forces On trs Pa
cifc until the Chilean diffseplfv y sest,ed,
and would ultimately return % III fgoBsgnaad OF
the South Atlantic squadron,f when Ccmrno-
do-e Brown would assume rQsssnena OF the Pa-
cEhc station. Ii is thought ~ the Chsrlestoa'
vii take at least two dafs ansl ssrhaps iongeTl
70 eosI, as ships of her esiNss eas--t issd fast
oying to the lneakaon oi some 9;
her coal bins his viii depepss,
hcsvsyer. entirely Dpss the quaIItsfr
81 cr,aI she needs to sfall Der bunkerx Bs tho
ssne she 10 coslesi son ss zes light may be tsrown