The evening world., 1893-11-13
HIT BY SHOTS IN Rio.
The Steamer Melbourne Was in a
/ Bad Corner for a While,
Guns FROM THE GARRISON TRAINED
ON VESSELS IN THE IIARB0R.
LIST TO THE MATE TELL THE TALE.

There were bullet scars on the British
steamer Melbourne, which arrived yes
terday from Rio, Santos and other CEN
tres of the Brazilian revolution. As she
strained at her hawsers in the swell
that rolled into Harbeck's stores. Brook
lyn, long, clean-cut lines were visible on
her black plates. They showed where
the shots from Peixoto's rifles had
struck her and ricocheted off. The sun
Drowned crew told thrilling tales of their
stay in the beleaguered city Of Rio.
During the early part of october the
Melbourne took aboard a cargo Of cattle
at Buenos Ayres, consigned to Rio.
Upon reaching that port the crew found
the harbor occupied by Mello's fleet.
There were several big men-of-war and
a large number of small launches. which
darted continuously about.
The British flag was flying from the
Melbournes staff, and she steamed un-
molested by the armored fleet and
reached a point directly in front of the
city. There were several other mer-
chant ships in port, and some of those
also had cargoes of cattle. 1t is the GUS
tom of such ships to anchor half mile
from shore and discharge their cargoes
upon transports, which are towed to the
cattle-yards. This the Melbourne was
about to do when something happened
that caused Capt. Grimes to change his
mind.
Mello needed beef, as everybody knew,
and, although he dared not take 1t from
n vessel flying a foreign flag, there be-
ing American and British gunboats near
by, there was nothing to prevent him
from attempting to seize cattle from
transports which carried no flags. Thus
that day, as one of these lighters was
approaching its dock, a number OF small
launches surrounded 1t. They were seen
by the forces ashore and hot exchange
of shots followed, which resulted in their
being driven away.
After witnessing this the Melbourne
steamed close into the harbor before she
was impossible for Mello's boats to an
noy her, for the guns of the city could
have been brought to bear upon them.
was mostly carried on after nightfall.
The indications that fighting was to
AXE place grew stronger every day. until
one of Mello's launches steamed along
side of the Melbourne and its officers re-
quested that she be moved away, declar-
ing that 1t was their intention to shell
that section of the city. The Melbourne,
as requested, made off to another posi-
ton and the firing began.
The little launches wee, on that occa-
sion very active. Iney uarted up ana
down before the city, and their troops
exchanged shots with those on shore.
One Of the launches, in its efforts to es-
tween the Melbourne and the shore.
Thereupon a fusillade of shots from
Peixoto's rifles rained across the lat
ter's deck. Some whistled high in the
air and others snapped against the
ships iron plates:
The crew, which had been viewing the
battle with interest and compla cency In
their supposed security, were for a mo-
ment panlc-stricken. Then they ran into
the forecastle and lodged into other
places of safety. In less than two sec.
onds the deck was clear. But the launch
had passed in a moment, and the shots
of the enemy followed It. 1t was a long
time, however, before the Melbourne's
crew summoned will enough to peer
from their hiding-places to ascertain the
situation. In speaking of the affair yes.
terday, the first mate said:
I'VE knew that there was nothing
coming our way but rifle bullets, and we
strong enough to turn them. But we
were scared, though. Who wouldn't have
been scared at that kind of shooting
The men had no trouble in finding places
of safety. Every one seemed to have a
place In mind. l myself only came into
my cabin. l felt that 1t was safe enough
for me-
The Melbourne's cargo consists of 81, 49t
bags IF coffee. SD bags of cocoa and III
bags of rubber, the combined value OF
which is estimated at 81, 100000. This IL
said to be the most valuable cargo thai
ever came into the New York port.