The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-05
Loss OF THE VENUS.
Not a Man Aboard the Rebel
Transport Was Saved.
SPLIT IN TWO LIKE cAROBoARD.
Explosion Probably Caused by Shots
from Shore-No Truth in the Re-
port That the Insurgents Have Re-
volted.


DU Ht aoo'"tutt" A'eN'-
RIO DE JASErRo, March 5.--The reports
Of the loss of the rebel transport Venus
has been confirmed. On Friday morning
the armed rebel transports Jupiter. Marie
and Venus. which were lying of Porto
Madama, took up positions off Porto
Madama and opened bombardment
against the government batteries. The
guns in the batteries responded quickly,
and quite lively fire was exchanged.
Suddenly there was terrific roar heard
shove the booming of the guns. and it
was at once conjectured that an explosion
had occurred. AT first it was thought
that disaster had befallen the transport
Marte.
Immediately after the sound of the ex-
plosion was heard those along the shore
saw huge column of reddish brown
smoke ascending and spreading out to
wide dimensions as il arose. IL was seen
as the smoke cleared away that the ex-
plosion had occurred on the Venus. The
vessel had been torn in halves, and almost
Immediately afterwards the stern half of
the wreck went to the bottom. The bow
half was on fire and in few minutes the
flames were raging furiously. This por-
tion of the Venus hoated for half an hour
and then went down.
Not One Was Saved.
The Venus was commanded by Captain
vasconcellos. He with three officers and
% men made up the complement of the
vessel Every soul on board of her was
lost.
Some of the crew could be seen for
time on the forward part of the vessel as
It drifted helplessly burning, and efforts
n A.. n.
that were dispatched on this work were
slow in reaching the scene of the dis
aster, and by the time they arrived the
men on the wreck were forced by the fire
into the water.
cause of the disaster The most probable
of these is that shot from the shore bat
teries struck the Venus amidships and
plowed its way through the hull and
boilers. 1t is pretty certain that the mag
szine did not explode, for the smoke, as
stated above. was of a reddish brown
color, whereas -the-smoke- of powder is
gray. At any rate. whatever the cause
OF the explosion, its force must have been
terrific, as the vessel was blown in halves
as IL made of cardboard.
It has been reported that the insurgents
on the islands of Wanna, Engho and
Pontal had revolted against their leaders,
and declared in favor of the government.
There is no basis of truth In these reports.
The insurgents on the islands in question
are enthusiastic in support of their lead
crs. No importance attaches to the cap
ture of Bage by the government forces.
The place is of little, if any. strategic
value.
War About Over.
II is generally believed that the insur-
rection here and in the south is virtually
over. The rebels are losing at all points,
and to an impartial observer the end of
the long-drawn-out struggle is in sight
BY far the most bloody battle that has
been fought during the revolt took place
early in the morning of Feb. o at Arma-
Gao mountain, when the insurgents lost
$50 men.
AS the entire rebel force here numbers
less than 800 men. their loss on this occa-
sion was a very serious blow to them.
The rebels at first repulsed the govern
ment troops. but the discovery of a large
supply of whisky proved fatal to the at
tacking force. The rebels devoted them
selves to drinking the whisky, with the
result that in very short time bat
talon OF them wore placed hors du com
bat.
1t was while the greater number of the
rebels were in a helplessly intoxicated
condition that the severe loss was in
nicted upon them by the government |
troops. Those who were uninjured and
had sense enough to flee took to their
boats aud soon placed themselves outside
the range Of fire.
Short of Men.
The rebels are very seriously crippled, |
ewing TO their lack Of men. In addition |
to this every one of their ships has, with /
the exception OF the Aquidaban, been |
shot full Of holes by the governments |
forces. Their facilities for repairing the |
damages done their ships are very mea- |
ger. and consequently the vessels are not |
at all seaworthy
In many of the states of the south,
notably Sac Paulo where the population |
is made up OF German and Italian immi- |
grants, the feeling in favor OF the govern
ment is very strong. Volunteers are |
coming in freely from all parts of the |
state of Sac Psulo, and in the city of Sac |
Paulo the very best men among the |
residents have enlisted in support of the |
government
A.. - - m