St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-19
CONSIDERABLE CURIOSITY

as we'll as establishment has been eX-
pressed at the fact that the much-talked-
of cruisers Nictheroy and America,
fitted out in New York. nave been so
inactive. People expected the Mic
theroy, especially, to do something
startling with her dynamite gun, and
when she did nothing but cruise out
side Of Pernambuco. and recently made
for Bahia, the report was circulated
that there were diSsensionS among her
crew and that the dynamite gun was
useless.
The Associated Press correspondent
has investigated the inaction OF the
PeiXoto fleet, with the result that he
has obtained the following statements
from person who should undoubtedly
be able to tell the true story OF the ats
fair.
In the first place. the Nictheroy never
Intended to engage the AQuidaban, and
when it was reported that the Republica
and Aquidaban had started in search of
the Nlctheroy, the latter vessel was
ready to do some good steaming in some
direction which would separate her
from the insurgent ships as much as
possible.
The following is the plan of opera
tons which was mapped out for the
Nictheroy in New York. between the
Dynamite Gun cOmpany's people and
the representatives of the Brazilian
government. A perfect map or chart of
the harbor of Rio was carefully meas
ured and divided up into ranges for the
dynamite gums projecliles. The Nicthe-
roy was to go to the entrance of
the harbOr of Rio and from be-
hind those entrances. protected from
ATTACK, BY THE GUNS
of the forts at the entrance. was to have
Fort Villegaignon, situated on the ISL
and which has proved of such great
assistance to the insurgents. After
Fort Villegaignon had been silenced,
according to the plans, the NictherOy
was to have entered the bay and to
have taken up a position behind Fort
Villegaignon, and from there, safe
from the fire of the rebel ships, she
was 10 send hot dynamite missiles into
the enemy's fleet. But the facility with
which the Aquidaban and the Republica
left the harbor of Rio, thus demonstrate
ing the very weak nature of the fire
which the entrance forts could direct
upon man-of-War, changed these
plans, and the Nictheroy was to have
sailed for DeSterro, the southern strong
hold of the insurgents, with the inten-
ton of dynamiting that place into sub
lection.
This last plan might have been car
ried out before this had it not been for
the fact that the PeiXoto fleet has been
lying at PernambucO and more recently
at Bahia, anXiously waiting for supply
of ammunition for its powder guns.
The vessels were filled SO hastily in New
York, and there was so much anxiety to
get them south. that only very small
supply of ammunition for
THE POWDER GUNS
was taken OIL board, it being understood
that the remainder was to follow
promptly: but it seems that the COM
pany which was to furnish the amuni-
ton did not keep up to its contract, and
the Nictheroy, America and other YES
sells of the PeiXoto feet have been far
from ready to engage the enemy, fact
which might have been valuable to the
insurgents had 1t leaked out before
this.
In order to conceal the true state of
affairs, reports were spread that the
new cruisers were awaiting the arrival
of the German torpedo boats, etc.; that
there was dissension among the crews
anu THAI TIC Wy loHiitO SuH was OuG VI
order and practically useless, owing to
the fact that the BraZiliaus were unable
to work it.
The Associated Press correspondent,
however, is assured that the dynamite
gun is in perfect working condition at
present, and that both the Nictheroy
and America have crews sufficient to
fight the two vessels. There was some
leakage to some of the supply pieces of
the dynamite gun, when it was tried
after leaving New York, but these de.
fects, due to the hasty manner in
which the cruiser was fitted out, have
BEEN remedied, and the dynamite gun
company has OH board the Nictheroy at
present an expert handler of dynamite
guns who pronounces his weapon to he
In the most effective condition. Finally,
by this time the Nictheroy and America
have received their supplies of ammuni-
ton for the powder guns, ana both are
in good fighting trim.
BUENos AYREs, Feb. 17.-Advices
received today from Rio Janeiro state
that the lnsurgent squadron In the har-
Dor there have suspended their bonn
Dardment. Five thousand insurgents
from the southern part of Brazil have
entered the state of Sac Paulo and are
marching in the direction of Rio.
They have had several skirmishes
with the governments troups, and in
each instance have defeated them.
Peixoto has sent artillery, infantry and
volunteer companies to defend the
frontier of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The inhabitants Of Rio de Janeiro are
loudly demanding the cessation of hos
tilitleS and the restoration of peace