The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-08
HOLES BORED In AIR.
The Principal Result of the
Bombardment at Rio.
sRaz'L,Ahs BAD MaRksMEN.
Forts Rain Harmless Missiies on War
ships-warshfps Fire ut Forts and
Mise, but Manage 20 Hit City.

Copyrighted. 1894 by the Associated Press.
Rio JASEIRo, Jar. l2.-Thc comparative
quiet which has prevailed here for ten
days was interrupted yesterday by an en-
counter between the Aquidaban and the
forts, followed by an attack by the rebel
fleet and batteries upon the shore defenses
of the city. Later in the day another fight
took place at Santa Anna and Ponta de
Arena All the fighting, however, only
resulted in the killing of four men and the
mortal wounding of fifth. The loss the
rebels sustained is not known.
The arrival of the Aquidaban was some
thing of surprise TO all. The night of
January IL was unusually cold. Under
cover of the fog the Aquidaban az
preached aud was Almost under the
shadow of Fort Santa Cruz before she was
seen. This was at 400 q. IN. Instantly
firing began from Fort Santa Cruz, and a
moment later Fort ST. John was in tire
fight. A little fort further inside the bay
also sent her quota to increase The hail OF
missi es which ratified around the daring
Aqnidaban. At that range. however. not
a shot reached the mark, and without
deigning to reply, the big black
ship passed silently on into the narrow
channel between the fortresses. Further on
Fort Sinta Crux, not 800 yards away from
the Aquidahan, worked her guns IL iously,
sending plunging fire down upon the
decks of the warssip. ST. John. a mile
away, sent her heaviest projecssies against
the rebel ships broadside. while Mort Lage
swept the decks with raking fire. The
ship could hardly be subjected TO a m>re
severe test, and the Aauidaban was appa.
rently uniniu-ed. For half an hour the
fight continued until the Aquidaban
dropped anchor alongside the Tamandares.
out of range of the hostile batteries. Per
haps 800 shots had been tired at ranges o
from $50 yards to two miles, with guns
from 9-inch caliber down to 6-pounders.
yet absolutely no damage was done. The
AQudaban, though struck heavily several
times. was practically unhurt, while not
single shot either from her batteries or
from Fort Vilegaignon struck any one
OF the government forts. Later the Guam
abara. one of the rebel torpedo cruisers
opened lire at S:o5 q. m. on the shore bat
teries erected to protect the customs house
Later Cobras island and the cruiser Ira
jano joined the Guanahara, aud still later
the Libertad. with Gama's flag flying, also
came into action. The latter, however,
contented herself with firing three heavy
projecties, which passed over the shore
defenses and buried themselves in the
heart of the city.
The only fatalities reported were caused
By the explosion in the city of heavy
shell fired by the Guanabara, which killed
four men, namely, Pedre Macetti, police
man; Manuel De Jesus Gadarota, shoe
maker; Americo Duarete. apothecary, and
Manuel Gonzalez de Silvama, medical
student. The fire ceased after while.
only TO be renewed at 3 D. III. against Santa
Anna and Ponta da Areia. 1t was replied
to by the batteries there and at Madame
and Donvelho. The action was desultory.
little damage being done. Later in the
evening few more small shots were fired
into the city and an unknown man badly
injured. Admiral Julio de Novouha has
assumed command of the governments
naval forces here and elsewhere.
PERaAsBrco, Feb. The submarine
torpedo boat Destroyer and five of the
latest torpedo boats from Germany have
left here, ii is believed for Bahia, where
they will join the rest of Peixo,os fleet
preparatory 10 movement in force upon
Rio Janeiro.
WAsHIssTos CRY, Feb. The house
naval affairs committee has ordered ia
voFab!e report on the resolution commend
ing the action Of Admiral 3enham to pro-
tect United States commercial interests at
Rio Janeiro.