Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-16
A PAT RIOTIC ACTION
Admiral Benham the American Hero of
Brazil's War.
The Stirring Demand That Commerce
Should Not BE Interfered With
The Shots Fired.

Dispatches have been received at the
Navy Department from Admiral Benham,
commanding the United States forces at
Rio de Janeiro, giving a detailed story Of
naval operations in that harbor which Gull
minated on the 23th of January in the
breaking, in the interest of American mer-
chantmen of the practical commercial
blockade so obstinately maintained by the
insurgents, despite all previous remon-
strances. 1t appears that Admiral Benham
acted on his own responsibility in this mat
ter, under the same general instructions to
protect American interests as had been
given his predecessor in command, Capt.
Picking. 1t is but just to the latter TO say,
however, that he was in constant com;nu-
hlcatlon with the authorities at Washing
ton, and acted throughout in entire accord
herewith. The authorities had been urged
10 take measures to secure the safe dis
charge of American cargoes, but, 50 far as
known, tailed to authorize any change in
the policy of strict Northumberland adopted
by Capt. Picking. 1t is also stated in JUS
tice to Capt. Picking that he had only two
vessels, the Newark and the Charleston, to
enforce any demand he might have made
in the matter, whereas when Admiral Ben
ham subsequently, notified the insurgent
admiral that American vessels We're not to
De IOleSleu III any way Whatever IN the
harbor of Rio the fleet had been reinforced
by the arrival of the New York, San Fran
cisco and Detroit.
No Instructions.
Admiral Benham took his pucky stand
for the practical protection Of American in
terests without awaiting the receipt of spe-
cial instructions to that effect, and there
fore is entitled to the greater credit for the
transaction. His course was subsequently
approved by the President, AMI he deserv-
eddy became the American hero OF the revo-
luton.
His reports confirm in general the press
accounts of the affair and are interesting
reading In concluding his correspondence
with Admiral da Cana in regard to the
continued molestation of Americ IN ships en-
tering the harbor, Admiral Benham says:
Il now demand that any order which any
ship or shore battery under your command
may now have to stop or in any way inter-
fere with the movements of any American
vessels about the harbor. while in the pur-
suit of their lawful business, be rescinded
at once l also request to be notified when
this has been done. This dem ana is not in
tended to restrict or hamper in any way the
prosecution Of your military or naval opera
tions."
Prepared for Action.
Admiral da Cana took no notice Of this
letter. After waiting a reasonable time fcr
a reply. Admiral Benham called all his
commanding officers into consult a:ion, ard
it was decided to convoy such American
vessels as wished to go to the city wharves
the following morning, and 10 resent any
attempt to interfere with them.
Before the consultation of Admiral Pen
ham and his subordinates had broken up
each captain was directed to have his ship
fully prepared for action and to get under
way at o'clock the next morning. To The
Detroit, Commander Brown son, the orders
were more specific. AT u O'Clock Oh the
morning of the 18th you will have the De-
trOit, under your command, with steam tip
and in every respect prepared for action.
Get under way, proceed in shore. take up
a commanding position where you can best
protect the American banks Amy and Good
News while proceeding 10 their Wharves in
the city. Should either of these Vessels be
fired upon by the insurgent vessels, return
the fire and continue to fire until he inSur
gents cease firing. Other vessals Cf the
squadron Will be prepared to support You ii
necessary.
Exciting Events.
This consultation took place on the San
Francisco January Is. During that night
all the American warSh!ps were prepared
for action, and in the morning officers and
crews were full of excitement at the pros
poets of lively occupation. The story of the
day is well told in the following report of
Commander Brownson, commanding the
Detroit:
lin obedience to the written orders of
Admiral Benham, ne says, Il got under
way, with the Detroit under my command,
at am on the 18th, the ship being cleared
for action, and stood in between Enchadas
and Cobras Islands, going slow at first 10
clear badly-fouled anchor. At 600 went
to general quarters and loaded the battery
when in between the two islands, two
or three of the inSurgent tugs began an en-
gaGement along the city front. well up to-
ward ST. Barbara Island, exchanging fire
with the shore and standing down toward
Cobras Island, when they hauled off, keep
ing up the firing till well out among the
shipping. During this time / stopped the
Detroit's engines and waited for the en-
gagement to finish.
las soon as the tugs hauled off, went
ahead and passed alongside the Trajano
and Cuandbara, which were moored to
buoys to the westward OF Enchadas Island
the Guanabara to the northwestward of the
Trajano. The American bark Amy which
was lying short distance to the south
westward of the TrajanO and the GUIANA
bara, was getting under way and running n
warp TO the vessel just ahead OF her when
at 1:9l a. n, the Detroit ut that time hav-
ing passed between the AMY and the Tra
jano, the latter fired a musket at the Amy
or at her boat which l returned with the
sX-pounGer mounted on the rail abaft the
break of the forecaStle. The order was
given 10 fire this shot at the bow of tho
alamo, to strike hnr just a5aft the stem
between wind and water: and this order
was so understood by all of the officers who
leiTu II, bul through nltSG0QErStlnl iuc~ q
the part of the gun captain. he tells me no
aimed just forward Of the cutwater. where
the Shot struck, about three or four feet
from the bow.
Would Sink Her.
II then hailed the Trajano, which was
not over sixty yards away, AMI said:
If you fire again l Will return the FIRE
and ii you persist in firing l will sink YOU
Tho guns of the Detroit We're kept tram
ed en- the Trajano at this time. About two
minutes after cur shot was iirei the Tra-
jano fired a brCGdsiic sun from her mort
battery, the starboard side beia;y toward US
"Attc, passing the Tr1jann. ana before
passing the GuanaLara, | hailed the Arupri-
can bark Amy, then close aboard On my
port quarter, and told the master to go into
the wharf if he wished 20. lie rcpliel that
the insurgents would fire on hum if he
moved. l answered: You 80 ahead; | will
protect you
las we passed alongside Of the Guiana
bara. lying Just inside of the Traiano, the
men were at quarters, with guns bearing
ON US. Ga: guns were imme l!ately placed
on her, and l hailed her and cautioned her
to be very careful and not make any mis-
take, as l would open them if she fred
shot After passing the Guanabara l
turned the Detroit across her stern, which
gave me q chance to rake the decks of both