The herald., 1893-12-07
PREPARED TO DO BATTLE,
The Decks Of the Nictheroy
Cleared for Action.
A Sharp lookout Maintained
for Admiral MellO.
The Cruiser America Disabled by an
Unknown Traitor.
Mello's Flagship Lying to for Repairs
Not Far from Rto-Comm odoro
Stanton Preparing
Report.
BY the Associated Press.

ST. THOMAS, W. l., Nov. 27.-[Copy-
righted, 1898, by the Associated Press. !
1t had been intended to send the Mic
theroy to Barbados for coal. but the
opening of her sealed orders showed
that her destination was changed to st.
Thomas. A bright lookout WAS main
tanned last night for Eello, though 1t is
not believed he is so far north as this.
Assignments to fighting quarters have
been made. In action, Captain Baker,
assigned by Navigator, Evelyn, will Gail
the ship. Lieutenant Hill. executive
officer. will fight her. Craven, ordnance
officer. fights the spar deck battery.
Brinley has charge OF the dynamite gun.
Conway has the forward, and Sparkling
the after gun deck battery. Lowe COM
mands the powder division. Van
Assistsnt Engineers Stenstrom, Allen
and Crewley control the engines and
valves of the dynamite gun. Officers
Marriott and Fontine. the Associated
Press and World correspondents res
pectively, manage the range finder of
the big Al inch rifle at the stern, cap
tanned by Junior Boatswain Gilroy. The
other qua captains are all old men-of-
wars men. The ship was inspected
yesterday by the captain and executive
officers. Friday afternoon one of the
one pound guns on the after deck house
waa discharged accidentally. Probably
the strong wind blew the edge OF the
canvas covering against the trigger. AS
the gun was pointed seaward no damage
was done.
THE AMERICA DISABLED.
New YoRK, De-. 8 The Herald has
the following: The Brazilian cruiser
America, which sailed from New York
for Rio the night OF November 26th, is
lying at Bridgetown, Barbados. go seri-
ously disabled by the act Of an unknown
traitor among her crew, that che will
probably be unable to continue her voy-
age for several weeks. Il cable message
has been received by Flint Il Co., an
nounciGg That the yessel's val aIAaaAhays
been purposely broken by ysomeunknown
member of the crew, and the vessel
has been 80 seriously injured I'll at long
delay must occur before she can continue
her voyage. In view of this, the cruiEer
Nictheroy, which left St. Thomas with
the America for Rio de Janeiro last
Sunday night, had to continue the voy-
age alone.
MELLo's WHEREABOUTS.
The Herald's special Montsvideo cor
respondent OF Rio do Janeiro sends
word that the warships Aquidaban and
Republic are both anchored at Ihla
Grsnde, quarantine station not Jar
from Rio de Janeiro. Mello'e flagship
is undergoing repairs for injuries sui
fered while running the gauntlet of the
forts at the entrance OF Rio bay.
MINISTER THOMPSON HEARD FROM.
WAsulSeToN, Dec. GA dispatch from
Minister Thompson, dated Petropolis,
Brazil, informs thu state department of
the arrival of Admiral Melo at the quar-
antine station au lhla Grande, on the
coast south of Rio. Mello pilaged the
town and then sailed away towards the
south. Ihla Grande ia only q few miles
from Rio, being the quarantine station
OF that port, outside Rio bay and just
south. 1t is thought the incident oc-
Cured while Mello WAS first on bis way
south, and is not interpreted to chow he
has returned northward again.
STANTON PREPARING A REPORT.
Commodore Stanton spent several
hours at the navy department today.
At Secretary Herbert's request he will
submit a report in writing. Tonight the
commodore talked about the present
situation in Rio harbor, giving vivid
description of the foreign war vessels
and their character. He described Mello
as quie. in manner. bat giving evidence
of travel and culture, and a brave
officer. According to Stanton's descrip-
ton the city of Rio shows few marks Of
the bombardment, but the town of Mic
theroy is almost wholly destroyed and
abandoned by the residents.