The morning call., 1893-10-15

1allure OF the rebellion, taken TO the high
seas. turning pirate and laying under
tribute the commerce of all nations, in
Guiding the unfortifed towns of the Pacific
Coast north of the country indicated, a
ripple OF astonisbment extended all over
the gl be that in the countries along the
Pacific Coast fell little short of consterna-
zion.
The 9 de Julio, in which this modern
Captain Kidd set out to sail the seas and
lay them under tribute, was admitted in
naval circles 10 be the fastest cruiser float
and to possess speed which, under nat
ural draught, has only been equaled by
the fastest of the Atlantic liners in the
most favorable conditions of wind and sea
and her gun and steam trials had ALWAYS
been marked successes. She was built by
Armstrong. Mitchell q Co. for the Argen.
tine navy. She was $50 feet long, forty
1onr feet broad and had displacement of
$500 tons. The vessel was armed
entirely with quick-fring guns OF the
latest approved pattern, made by
the Elswick firm. She carried four 6-inch
quick-frng guns. eight 4.7-inch quick
hiring guns. twelve 3-pound quick firing
guns and twelve 1-power Quick-tring guns
She also carried five 1S-inch tor pedo tubes
one OF the 6-lnch guns was mounted IN the
middle line on the fOrecaStle and one in
the middle line on the poop. each having a
considerable arc of training around the
bow and stern respectively. The other
two 6-nch guns were mounted in sponsors
forward on the upper deck, so as TO ena BILE
them 10 be fired from direct ahead to so
degrees abaft the beam. The 4 Finch guns
were mounted in sponsous at the sides Of
the upper deck. The aftermnst pair of
these could FIRE from direct astern to so
degrees before ;he beam, while the others
had arcs Of training Ot 120 degree on the
brOadS lde.
A steel protective deck, of the customary
form with this type of vessel, protected
the vitals OF the ship, the machinery, mag
aZlnes, etc., from the effects of gun fire /:
and the protection it afforded was assisted
by coal carried in bupkers at the side of
the ship. This steel deck had a maximum
thickness of four and half inches on its
sloping sides and uniform thickness of
an inch and three-quarters on all its hori-
ZOEtal portions. The propelling machinery
consisted oil two sets of fouT-cyiinder
trlple-expansion engines, each set of en-
glnes confined In water-tight compart-
ment. The bunkers of the vessel were
capable of holding no tons Of coal, sufh-
cient to enable her to steam distance of
about 10000 knots or nearly half around
the globe without cualing at her most Geo.
nOmical rate of speed. Her highest speed
exceeded twenty-tbree knots an hour and
her power that Of 1850 horses.
She had last been heard of off the coast
OF Peru, proceeding in this direction, and
had already shown peculiar prOclivity
for capturing trading ships of this country,
several OF which had fallen prey to her
prowess. and it was appre hended that her
depredatinns might speedily be extended
to the undefended towns and partially de-
Tended cities of California and Oregon.
On the launching of our newest battle
ship, the Oregon, had been assigned to
duty on her as captain, and attached, with
my snip, to the squadron Of the Pacific.
On the first notice of the predatory dispo-
sitlon toward our trading vessels and the
exposed towns on our coast, of the de
Julio, was told off to keep lookout for
her between Panama and San Francisco.
and to Intercept her. il practicable, before
she should put in an appearance at any of
our coast towns / was informed that if
1ell IN with ner at any point between the
places above named, / Was authorized by
an understanding between our Govern
ment and that of Mexico and the Central
American republics, if necr ssary, to pur-
sue her into the waters of those countries.
and that l might expect their hearty CO.
operation.
My ship, the Oregon, is a first-class bat
tie-ship. She was of 10.231 tons dsplace-
ment, OF 5000 horse power and could steam
10 Knots an hour She carried four l3-inch,
eight 9-lnch and four 6-lnch guns. all
oieech-ioaQing. Ine 13-lnch and the g.
inch were III pairs, mounted in barbettes.
She had 16-inch armor on the water line,
17-lnch with 6-inch backing on the turrets,
and In addition the hull abreast of the
turrets was protected by 5-inch steel plates.
In pursuance of my instructions, lib
eral discretion having been allowed me in
them. steamed about the southern coast
of California for few days early In the
month, and then learning from fast sail
ing schooner in the coast trade that had
been chased by the pirate and escaped her
clutches in heavy fog that the latter was
feeling at home up this side of Panama