The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-08
RAN PAST THE BATTERIES
The Aquidaban Runs the Gauntle.
Of the Forts at Rio de
Janeiro.
Shot and Shell All Around and on
Her, But No Harm
Done
Less Than HAIR = DoxeR FATAL
ties All Told

iCouyrghted. 1894. By tho Associated Pfess-I
RIO DE JASERo. Feb. THE oompara-
tive quiet which has prevailed here for ten
days vas interrupted yesterday by an en-
counter between the AquidAbsn and the
forts. followed by an attack BY tho rebel
feet and batteries upon the shore dofenses
Of the city. Later in the day another eight
took place 81 Santa Anna aud Ponh da
Areis. All the fighting, however. only re-
suited r. the killing Of four men and nor
tally Wounding Of ths fifth. The loss ths
rebels sustained IL not known. Ths arrival
Of the AquidabAn was something Of a a sur
prise 30 all. The night Of Jan IL was IN
usually cold. Under cover OF the fog tho
Aquidaban approached aud vas almost
under the shadow Of Fort Santa Cruz be-
fore she was seen. his was a. $40 =. m.
Instantly nrina began from Fort Santa
Cruz. and a moment later Fort 81. John
Joined in the 0ght. Little Fort LAge, far
thsr inside the bay. also sent her quota to
increase the hail Of missiles which ratified
sround the daring Aquidaban. A. that
range. however. not a shot reached ths
mark, and without deigning 10 reply the
big black ship passed silently on into ths
narrow channel bstwesn the foTtresses fur
ther on. Fort santa Cruz mot 800 yards
away from ths Aquidaban, worked her guns
furiously, sending . plunRinR fire dOwh
upon the decks Of the warshir. The 81.
John. mile away. sent her heaviest pro-
jeetile aRsinst she rebel ships broadsids.
while Fort Lags swept her decks With q
raking fire. The ship could hardly be sub
jscted 90 a more severe test, and she Aqui-
daban is apparently uniniuFsd.
For half an hour the fight continued.
until ths AquidabAn dropped anchor along
side the Tamandsre. Out OF range OF the
hostile batteries. Perhaps 800 shots had
been hrsd al ranges from 600 JaTda 10 two
miles, with guns from sine cAlibsr down TO
eix-pOun ders, ret absolutely no damage
WAS done. The Aquidaban, though struck
heavily several times. was practically IN
hurt. while not a single shot either from
her batteries or from Fort Niliecaianon.
struck any one Of the government forts.
Later ths Guanabara. one OF the rebel
torpedo oruissIs, opened IRE az 5.3J a. m. on
the shore batteries erected 90 protect the
custom house. Later CObras island and
the cruiser Traiano Joined abe GuanAbara,
aud still later the LibeTtad. With dA GamA's
flag flying. also came into action. The
latter, howeyer, contsnted herself with hr-
ing three heavy pToieetiles, which passed
over the shore dsfenses aud burisd them-
selves In the heart Of the city.
The only fatalities reported we're caused
by the explosion IN the city Of heavy
shell fred BY the Guanabara, which killed
four men. The Ere ceased after awhile.
only 20 be renewed az three p. M. against
Santa Anna and Ponta da AToia, where 10
was replied 10, little damage being done.
Later IN the evening a few more small shots
we're fred into tbs city and en- unknown
man BADLY injured.
Admiral Julio de Novouha has assumed
command OF she governments naval foroes
here and elsewhere.
PERSAMBUco. Feb. THE subj msrine tor
pedo boat Destroyer and tive of the latest
torpedo boats from Germany left here to-
daT, 10 Is believed. for Bahia, where they
will Join the Test Of Piexoto'a feet prepsT-
atoTy 90 a movement In force upon Rio de
JansiTo.