The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-03-15
OUR FLAG SHOT AT.
American Ship Outrageously
Insulted by Spaniards.
An Unsuccessful Attempt to Catch tho
Yankee-Captain of the Allianca Lays
the Case Before the State Department..

NEW YORK, March 13.-Captain Cross
man Of the Colombian line steamer AL
lanca, which arrived at quarantine yes
terlny noon, reports that on March s, at
about 7:3O o'clock in the morning, when
the steamer was off the east end OF Tho
island of Cuba. brigantine rugged man
of-war flying the Spanish flag was passed
steering in the same direction at dis
tance of about mile and half
The Alliance dipped her coors in salute
and the courtesy was acknowledged and
reciprocated ny the Spaniard. A few min
utes later puff or smoke appeared from
the man-of-war's bow and a report fol-
lowed.
ThiS was followed few minutes later
by another blank cartridge Captain
Crossman did not pay any attention to
the shooting but continued on his course
northward.
The man of-war then altered it's course
TO follow the Alliance, and almost at once
another gun was fred and solid shot
came bounding toward the American
steamer, missing her narrowly. Two
other balls were fired, but both went wide.
The Spaniard fast dropped astern, and
after chase of about 25 miles altered her
course and headed back. Captain Cross
man can advance no theory to account for
the outrageous conduct of the Spaniard.
The Alliance has been running between
this port and Colon for number of years,
making one trip each month. She leaves
here OH the Goth OF each month and starts
on her return trip on the 9th of the follow
ing month. She carries the United States
mail and has passenger accommodations
for 100 cabin passengers. Including the
officers she carries a crew of 80 men.
Captain Crossman Enters Complaint.
Captain Crossman has sent the follow
Washington:
NEW YORK, March L.
To Hon. Walter Q. Gresham,
Secretary of State, Washington,
SIR-The American mail steamer Allianca,
under my command, while on her homeward
bound voyage from Colon, r. O., to New York,
was on the morning of March g. off the coast of
Cuba. At $50 o'clock, bar1entine rugged
steamer was sighted under the land, steamiug
directly for us. At 7:l5 she set her colors,
proving to be Spanish gunboat.
Immediately ordered the American ensign
hoisted ON the Alliance and saluted the Span
lard, which salute was duly returned by her,
i VLSA pttluttA ViSS Abolo Anp ouppOS0Q Sno
matter was at an end.
But about five minutes later the Spaniard
fred blank cartridge, and few moments
later another one, followed shortly afterward
by three solid shots, all Of which fell short of
the Allianca, but showing very conclusively
that the Spaniard was firing at us. l bej'
fully six miles off shore and on the high ~
I paid no further attention to the Sp> sea-
but kept my course. The Spaniar3 ,.n aiaiu y.
fba ohaSa oil lthot1 oh oradual1v dr0r.r' hSPV Al
for fully Is miles e "o'eih
Idesire to know II the Spantay \ had
to fire on my ship, with the 'possible chsnce q,
endangering the lives of 'She nasseno &C. 49, ~
Grew under my charge, or to compel me tC
heave to, as he probably Intended.
respectfully ssiS for inform atio,, 49,, 49,.
subject as l did ngt and do not propose te
heave to- Thereby fbsimg time on my voyage. &c
oohge the Spanish gunboats, or any other, ex.
cept IN case Of distress.
Respectfully,
j. A CRossMAN, Commander