The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-22
AN ANCIENT CANNON.
Long Tom" Of the War of 1919 ar
rives in New York From Fayal.


rives in New York From Fayal.
From the Neio YORK Herald.
A cannon which played prominent part
In the history of this country in the war of
1912 arrived in New York on Wednesday
on the steamship Vega from Lisbon, via the
Azore Islands, and is attracting great atten-
tion.
Long Tom" is a 40 FOUNDER and did great
service while mounted on the private armed
brig Gen. Armstrong. The gun was brought
over from Fayal, where it had been
mounted in the castle of Santa Cruz for the
last seventy-nine years.
AN OLD WAR RELIC.
This relic of the last war with England
was once part Of the armament Of the
French line OF battleship Hoche, which
was captured in October, 1898, by a British
squadron under Sir John B. Warren and
sent TO an English port, where she was dis
mantlsd. Her armament was afterward
sold. her main battery of 42-pounders being
purchased by John B. Murray of New
York, who then happened to be in England,
and was shipped to New York.
These guns were subsequently, sold to the
United States government and mounted in
the hArbor of New York. One guu of this
battery, the present Long Tom" was re-
jected on account OF an indentation at the
muzsle, caused by a solid shot, and was re-
tatued by Mr.. Murray, who had it reamed
out so as not to affect to bore.
Mr.. Murray, by a contract with the En-
peror of HaYti, fitted out three vessels Of
war at New Y oTk in 1904 for the defense of
that island in the conflict with France, one
of which was the Sampson, Capt. Palmer,
OF fourteen guns, and the rejected Long
Tom" was N ounted on pivot on the for
ward deck and did great execution in the
conflict with French privateers.
The Sampson afterward returned to New
York and was disarmcd, "Long Tom" being
dismounted AID lay idle until war was de-
clared against England in 1912.
ON THE ARMSTRONG.
While the forces Of Engand's mighty
hosts were concentrating to strike blow 10
conquer Louisiana and the south a little
brigantine of only 246 tons, called the Gen.
Armstrong, was being re6tted and remain
ned for cruise against the enemy. Her
commander was Capt. Samuel Chester
Reid. The Armstrong carried six long
mines, with "LonR Tom" amidships, making
seven guns, with a total crew OF ninety men
and officers.
The Armstrong ran through the blockade
of the British on the night Of Sept. 9. 1914.
On Sept, 20, 1914, at noon, the Armstrong
ran into the bay of the town of Horta, in
the island of Hawai-, TO refill with water. At
sundown British squadron under Commo-
dore Lloyd. hove In sight, being on its way
to reinforce Cochrane's fleet at Jamaica
There was a tremendous encounter, in
which the little privateer fought the entire
squadron. The Americans would not sur
render, and after their vessel was rendered
helpless they retreated to the shore in good
order. Long Tom" did terrible work. 1t
took the English ten days to bury their
derd, their loss numbered 800 killed and
wounded while the American loss Yves only
two killed and seven wounded. The Brit
ish feet was delayed 80 long at Fayal that
the movement against Louisiana proved
unsuccessful, Gen. jackson being able to
win the memorable battle of New Orleans.
"Long Tom" has LAID dismantled i'll Fayal
for nearly a quarter Of a century.
The return Of the gun to the United
States was arranged through Col. Samuel
G. Reed, who was IneFayal in 1890 Col.
Reed is the son Of the commander of the
Armstrong. He went to Fayal with a view
of obtaining a sketch Of che harbor and bay
for his work on the memoirs of his father
When be visited the castle of Santa Cruz
he saw Long Tom. On his return TO Wash
ington he induced President Harrison to
cause our then minister OF Lisbon, Gen.
Batcheller, to be instructed to request the
transfer Of the gun to this government, to
which the King OF Portugal, Don Carlos l.,
consented.