The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-30
BENHAM ACTS AT RIO
The American Admiral Teaches
the Brazilians a Lesson,
And Also Shows the Fleets of Other Ma
tiOns How to Protect Vessels Sail.
ing Under Their Flags.
OUR SHIPS IN BATTLE ARRAY
Benham Makes a Great Demon
stratiOn in the HarbOr.
He Escorts Merchant Vessel That Had
Been Fired on by the Belligerents
to Her Landing Place.
ADMIRAL DA CANA WAS CURT
And the American Became Angry
and Showed His Spunk.
Complaints of Three Ships That Had
Been Annoyed and Imperiled by
Shots from the Insurgents.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 29.-This has
been one of the most exciting days that Rio
de Janeiro has experienced since the COM
mencement of hostilities between the insur-
gents and the Brazilian government. The
United States naval fleet stationed in this
harbor has furnished the excitement. Pro-
voked beyond endurance of patience by the
continued carelessness of the gunners
aboard the rebel war ship Aquidaban and
tired of the indifference shown on the part
of the revolutionary admiral to all his pro-
tests that American vessels entering and
leaving the harbor were not afforded proper
protection by the rebel fleet, Admiral Ben
ham to-day made demonstration with the
American war vessels under his command
which has taught a much-needed lesson to
the belligerents On both sides, and which
will undoubtedly have the effect hereafter
of securing proper recognition of the rights
Of all vessels carrying the American flag.
In the events of to-day the foreign colony
was particularly interested, and the action
of Admiral Benham will probably furnish a
precedent by which the commanders of the
other foreign vessels in this port will be
guided in the future.
The cause of all the trouble was the treat
ment to which three American barks were
subjected on last SATURDAY 10 an lnulScTlIl-
mate fusillade from the insurgent war
ships. The American vessels were the bark
Amy, Captain Blackford, built in Bath, Me-,
in 1883 and owned by w. S. Wilson; the
bark Good News, Captain Myrick, built in
Baltimore in 1889 and owned by c. Morton
Stewart & Co., and the bark. Julia Rollins,
Captain Kiehne, built in Baltimore in 1884
and owned by Thornton Rollins, of that
city The Amy sailed from Baltimore On
Dec. and arrived here last Friday. The
Good News arrived In Rio harbor on Jan.
from Bahia The Julia Rollins arrived
here on Jan % from Baltimore, which port
she left on Dec. 4.
LIVES ENDANGERED.
On Saturday last, while lying at anchor,
all three vessels were endangered by the
chance shots fired by the insurgents. These
whistled through the rigging and passed
over the men at work upon the decks. Many
of the crews of the three vessels narrowly
escaped being shot After suffering a great
deal of annoyance and running great risks
in the hope that the insurgents would real
ize the folly Of their action and put a stop
to their reckless firing the three captains
held hurried conference and determined
to appeal for protection to the United
States war ships and to request that the
barks be given an escort to the wharves
Captains Kiehne Myrick and Blackford put
off in small boats at great danger TO them
selves, pulled up to where the flagship
New York was stationed and asked that
they be allowed a conference with Admiral
Benham On stating the object of their
visit their request was readily granted and
they went aboard the New York.
Admiral Benham listened attentively to
their story and appeared to take the great
est interest in it, and when the captains
had finished with their statements he prom
ised that he would do everything In his
mower to afford them the fullest protection.
He, said. however, that before making any
display of force on the part Of his fleet or
giving the captains the escort which they
requested, he thought ii only right to first
rotify the insurgent admiral, Saldanha da
CANA, of the captains complaints. Per-
haps. he said, as a result of his notification,
Da CANA would promptly order his gum
ners to stop endangering the American
ships. and this would terminate all further
cause for complaint.
Accordingly, Admiral Benham sent one Of
his officers to the Aquidaban with orders
to acquaint Admiral Da Cana with the
facts in the case, and to ask him to have
an end put to the reckless cunning Da
Da Cana was apparently in very bad
humor when the American officer arrive
aboard the Aquidaban, and, with many ex-
clamations of impatience, he listened to the
recital of the American captains griev-
ances. The insurgent admiral was evidently
still annoyed over the unsatisfactory con-
ferences which he had held with Admiral
Benham, and was indisposed to do any
thing which would prove pleasing to the
commander of the United States fleet.
When the American officer had finished
making his statement Da Cana, with a.
shrug of his shoulders, said In a very sharp
tone: 1T sis not my fault. The American
ship captains should know enough to keep
themselves and their crews out of the
range of our guns. 1 shall not take any
notice of this matter"
BENHAMS IRE AROUSED.
This curt response 10 his message aroused
the ire of Admiral Benham, and he de-
termlned to make such a showing that Ii
would produce lasting effect upon the in
surgents. He allowed Sunday TO pass
quietly, without any appearance that he
intended to take any further notice of the
affair. Early this morning, however the
greatest activity prevailed on board the
fleet Shortly after daybreak the decks of
the flagship New York. the Newark. San
Francisco, Detroit and other United States
war vessels here were cleared for action
and their anchors were raised. Admiral
Benham then sent word ito the captains of
the Good News, Julia Rollins and Amy that
he was prepared to keep his promise TO
them. and that as soon as they were ready
TO proceed he would escort them to the
wharves.
At this moment Captains Kiehne OF the
Julia Rollins. and Myrick. of the Good
News. weakened, and despite their vigor-