Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-01
Wreck Of the Spanish Cruiser Girls
tobal Colon.
WRECKED ON 4 REEF BY A CYCLONE
All the Officers and Crew
Saved.
CLAIMS OF THE INSURGENTS

HAVANA, October Following close
upon the loss of the Spanish cruiser Bar
castegui. which was sunk in collision with
the Spanish merchant steamer Mortcra off
Moro Castle. at the entrance of this har-
Dor. at midnight on September Is, resulting
in the drowning of Admiral Delgadi Parejo
ard forty-six men. comes the news of the
wreck and probable total loss Of the Span
ish warship Crstobal Colon, a second-class
cruiser of about 100 tons displacement
end Loco horse power
The Cristobal Colon formed part of the
fleet Of Spanish warships detailed to watch
the coast of Cuba in order to prevent the
landing of flibustering expeditions from
the United States and elsewhere. The
cruiser carried four 12-centimeter Hontorfa
guns. two I-centimeter guns and two rapid
fire guns. Her crew Is estimated to have
numbered about 200 officers and men; but
the exact figures are not known here at
present, she had on board men in
tended for the smaller patrol vessels OF the
Spanish fleet. and may have detailed men
ashore.
The station of the Cristobal Colon was
the waters about Cape Antonio. her COM
mander having particular instructions to
watch the gulf of Correntes and Guadiana.
south of the Cape Antonio The disaster
occurred Off Colorado Point, in the gulf of
Guadiana. south Of the town OF Mantua'
in the province of Pinar del Rio.
Some of the crow swan ashore: others
reached land by means Of pieces of wreck
age. and In the boats: but all the crew. OFF,
GERS and men, were saved by some means
other.
The commander of the cruiser reached
Mantua during the day with the majority
Of the crew and nearly all the remainder
are expected there before night. When
questioned regarding the disaster, the
Spanish captain would only say that the
cruiser was driven ashore on the Colorado
reef owing to the violence of the cyclone
and that it Is probable that she will prove
a total loss.
Efforts, however will be made to save
her guns. &e. The above are all the facts
obtainable here at present, and, owing to
the reticence Of the Authorities. some in
accurate details may have gotten in the
stcfy. The main statements are correct,
and the wreck of this fine warship. so soon
after the sinking of the Barcastegui, has
cast feeling of intense gloom over the
government officials here. There are none
too many Spanish vessels in these waters
at present, and the loss of the Cristobal
Colon will be keenly felt by the govern
ment at this crisis.
Assertions of Insurgents.
8 OF course. the friends of the insurgents
are circulating the usual sensational stories
re gardng this disaster to the Spanish gov
eminent claiming that the cruiser was
sunk by torpedo exploded by insurgents.
In official circles. however. this report Is
classed as being nothing more than an in.
vention of the >retels." and the distinc!
statement Is made that there is absolutely
no reason for doubling the official an
nouncement made that the boat was driven
on the reef by the violence of the cyclone
In spite OF this assertion. there Is no
doubt that the government has not tnousnt
It proper TO make public all the facts In
the case. and this may not be done until
the official report of the commander of the
wrecked cruiser has been received ana
psssed upon.