The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-28
AN OVERDUE WARSHlP SAFE.
Ia LIBERTAD ANCHORED 20 MILES
BELOW NEW ORLEANS.

The Vessel Two Weeks Overdue and
Given W Is Lost by the MeNica IA
COnsuI-The ships Coal Gave Out
and Her Sails Carried Away by
the Gales in the GuIf-BOuRd for
NIardi Crns.
New Orleans. Ia, Feb. 27-The Mexican
warship La Libertad. which yesterday had
been given up as lost by the local Next
can consul. is at the present moment
safely anchored about tveny miles be
low the Passes. Early this morning ru-
mors circulated in the city that the ship
was aground forty miles below the Passes,
but no definite news could be secured
until 10 O'Clock. when the Grand Isle train
arrived in the city. On board were Sec
ond Engineer Jose Penedo and Quarter
master Bernado Lopez, who explained
that the Libertad had left Vera Cruz
about a month ago to participate in the
carnival festivities. The voyage gener-
ally is made in three days, but continual
gales and rough weather tossed the yes
sci for many days. until when about
forty miles from the bar the ships coal
gave out on Feb. %. The sails had been
lost during previous storms and Capt.
Pedro n. Saliva, seems his ship at the
mercy Of the elements. with no means of
reaching the Passes, detailed Jose Pendo.
Bernardo Lopez and four sailors to at
tempt TO reach land in an open boat
Fortunately the weather had Gained down
and the ship being still a considerable
distance west from the main pass, bee
line was first made for Grand Isle When
land came in sight by the help Of SAILS
and oars the southwest pass lighthouse
was reached. after one day and one night
OF lard work.
Here some rest was taken by the men,
who finally. three days after leaving the
snip, reached the main pass. Then Pen
edo and Lopez made their way to the
grand isle road and boarded the next
train for tine city. Outside of the partial
loss Of sail and the giving out Of the
coal supply no other calamity was re-
ported. During the severe gales, no man
was injured and the ship is amply stocked
with provisions and no immediate want
is experienced at the present time by the
men left on board the ship.
La Libsrtad is "a steel ship, unarmorcd,
of about loo tons displacement, and
I
built in 1875 or 1876 in a yard near Liver
pool and went into commission imme-
/ d.ately afterwards. She is equipped with
/ two masts, square rlgSed and relies 70 d
| large extent upon her sails in ordinary
voyaging. She has also been fitted with
! fine modern engines and could develop
the speed of about 10 knots an hour.
La Libertad's armament consists of sew
en- guns. two of them heavy rifles. two
rapid firing guns and the remainder of
small calibre, intended to lee used in the
boats or to command the decks in case
of an attempt by the enemy TO board.
Her crew consists of eighty men usually,
counting officers and men. The vessel is
under the command of Senior T. \. Saliva.
La I.ibcrtad had been frequently seen
In New Orleans, and her officers are wei
known here. Her last visit was paid dur
ing the second year of the cotton exposi-
ton, in 1886 when she remained some
time. a supply of coal viii be obtained
here by the Mexican consul and sent
down to the Lbertad at once.