The evening world., 1893-11-14
TO CAPTURE EL CID.
Rumors that Mello's Men Are
Trying to Ship in Her Crew.
Plans for a Mutiny at Sea and
Seizure Of the Vessel.
Flint q Co.'S Agents Taking ExsRo
Precautions.

Since Minister Medonca, of Brazil, ar.
rived In New York he has been in fire.
quent consultation with Capt. Baker, Of
FL Cid, and Capt. Crossman, of the Bri-
tannia. After the first conference In
structions were given on the two ves-
sells to enforce strictly the regulations
refusing admission on board to all but
workmen and those holding passes.
Since then even employees have been
questioned closely. and to-day 1t was
learned that the list of officers and men
engaged or to be engaged is being re-
vised, and that no man will be shipped
on either Of the two makeshift war ves-
sells whose career as a seaman and af-
hliations on land are not well known
to Capt. Baker and Capt. Crossman.
that President Peixotos representatives
In this country have been informed that
Mello sympathizers in New York have
been talking Of a plot to ship as many
possible.
1t is said that these represen tatives Of
the rebel Admiral are endeavoring to get
any position possible on Ell Cid and that
they hoped to have a force strong enough
to seize the Brazilian flagship at sea and
turn. her over to Mello in the port of
Rio Janeiro.
Although Capt. Baker would not admit
to-day that he had any fears of mutiny
on DOaru the snip III WnlCn felxOtO -
placing his hope of victory, there was
plenty of evidence, both on board El Cid
and at Quail's shipping ONCE, corner OF
South street and Old slip. that unusuaa
precautions are being taken In the selecs
quail has been engaging men since
p1r,,ss Flint 4 Go "a aekneTIedsed G;d purins the
the the last two weeks he has
allowed seamen to go in and out of his
office at will. Strangers were permitted
and NEnNr fA 0n
to drink with them in the saloon under.
meath the Office.
To-day, however, there were two men
leading to Quails office. One of them. who
was called Billy by his associates. ques-
toned every, one one, who , approaeh,ed p ,. dne
for strangers at the bar.
He allowed only a few applicants to go
upstairs. When any of these came down
thy we're nea 1ere to .od ssSt Il sSss
were engaged they would be notified by
mail.
one Of the hangers-on about the place
said the extra precautions were taken
after Mr.. Quail had been visited by a
gentleman from Mr.. Flints of1ice. He
said it had been reported that some OF
in Quail's office, and that seamen who
1t was supposed had been engaged had
been approached and asked to call at
an address on Front street.
These circumstances are looked upon
as bearing out the report among the
employees. on FL Cid that Mello Is plan
ming to either capture the warship for
himself or else disable her before she
reaches Brazilian waters.
1t is pointed out that few traitors
on board could cripple the machinery
! or that sufficient number OF Mello'e
men, II not suspected, could put Capt.
Baker and his officers in irons. seize the
ship mad run her into the port OF RIO
| Janeiro, where she could be added to
the insurgent fleet.
| 1t Is not known positively that any
such plot was on foot to seize Britannia
Capt. Crossman is taking the same pre-
cautions as Capt. Baker, however, ana
was just as uncommunicatlve this morn
, ing. "a,
leave the Morgan Iron Works dock. foot
of Ninth street, tomorrow, TO go 10 the
foot OF Joralemon street, Brooklyn, Tor
coal
Mr. Flint said Britannia would not
leave the iron works on Thursday. but
representative of the Morgan WORKS
said 1t would be impossible to have the
vessel ready at that time. Some OF her
guns are coming to this country on the
Campania, due here on Friday. So. OF
course, Britannia will not be taken
The is,oCo candie-power search-light ON
! FL cid was tested at midnight, and sur
prisei even Mr.. Flint by its powers
Rays of light were thr3wn from the Bat
! site and on both sides of the foot OF
! Ninth street, was lighted to nooday
| briliancy.
| this morning preparing a berth for the
| Yarrow torpedo boat. 1t was at first
| intended to test the speed OF the boat
sentative OF Flint & GO. said this morn
| ing that this idea had been abandoned,
| In order to do so 1t would have been
necessary TO pay duty on the boat