Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-02-08
WHOLE LOT OF CRY
And Mighty Little Wool the
Rule Down at Rio.
SOLE TONS OF IRON COMPLIMENTS,

But the DAILY sufferers Prove To Kse Four
Non-Combat;snts-A Noisy Day in the
Hari'or TIA. Seem. Only to Have Re
duccd the stock of Ammunition The
Aqridahan Come. Into Tort with =
Thunslcrous Greeting.
Mo DE JANEIRo Feb. s.-The compare
tive quiet which had prevailed here for ten
days or more was rudely interrupted by y
iurious encounter between the Aquidaban
and the forts, followed by an attack by the
rebel fleet ard the batteries ia their pos.
session upon the shore defenses Of the city.
Later ia the day another light took plac,
ut Santa Anna and Pcnta da Arcta. All
the fighting. however. only resulted in the
killing OF four men and mortally wound
ing of a fifth. These Were all citizens Of
ti'o What loss, it any, the rebels sus-
tanned Is not known. Ii had been r;imored
for TWO days that the Aguidaban had I've
turned from the north and that after n
trip 70 Dcstorle she was waiting outsiGe
the bay for "A good chance orun in. Conse-
qnently the forces of the government ay.d
the rebels were on the gui vire ready TO
rsiard help or. rs opportunity offered.
Came ia Through the log.
In spite %. this the arrival O. the Aquiaa-
ban WIS something of a surprise to all
The aight was unusually cold a sudden
sluall was lash:ng the waters Of the bay
and coast into white caps and leaving he
hind a heavy low-iying fog Under co,es
OF this the Aquiiaban approached and
was almost under the shadow Of Fort
q
at .:.35 81. M, about an hour before san
rise. Instantly The firing began from Fort
santa Cruz ana moment later Fort St
.iohn joined in the fight. Little Fort LACE.
further inside tie bay also sen: her quota
Ia increase the hail of missiles which rat
tied around the daring Aquidaban At
that range. however, not shot reached
its marx, aad without dcicning "A reply
the big black ship passed silently on into
the harlow channel between the fo-tresses.
The Aqui.!aban Wakes Up.
Further on Fort Santa Cruz, not 500
yards away from the Aquiaaban, worked
her guns furiously, sending Il piunging
fire down upon the decks Of the warshio.
-. John. a nile away, sent her heaviest
Irojeeti!es against the rebel ships bread
side. while FOR: 1.ace swept her decks
with rasing fire. \ ship could hardly
b. subjected to q more severe test, and We;
the AqUidahan passed rapidly ON. APP
prreniiy uniniared. Such shots rs struck
her glanced from her turrcts or re5oun,ied
ike peas from her armor. When Just OBJ
posite Fort Santa Cruz, IL the narrawcst
and most dangerous place, She seemed to
awake. From ner huge guns fire spusfed
dangerously and their heavy projecti!es
rushed forth against her enemies
And the Nc; Eesul. Was Nil.
Fors Nii!eSaignoa, far up the harbor,
now came INTO action and by her rapid fir.
attempted 10 draw of attention from the
Aquidaban. For half an hour the fight
continued. until ut last the Aquidah,n
dropped anchor alongside the Tamaneare.
ouS of range OF ali outside batteries. Then
IL WAS time TO count results. Perhaps 800
shots had been fired ut ranges of from GO
yards to two miles with guns of from fine
c:.libre down TO six-pouudcrs. Yet, SO far
As can be learned. absolutely no DAMAGE
was done. The Aquiaahan. though struck
heavily several times. was practically un-
hurt. while not Il single shot. either from
me-, batteries or from Fcrt VilleCaivnon.
struck any one of the government forts.