The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-13
An American Vessel the Target
for Some Solid Shot
THE SHIP WAS OFF SHORE
Mistake of the Cuban War Vessel on
the High Seas
The American Ship Dipped Her Flag. but the
Spaniard Hove To and Began
Firing Solid Shot

New York, March 12.-The American
mail steamship Alliancia which was pro-
ceeding from Colon to New York sighted
barkentine-rigged steamer under the
land off Cape May, the eastern edge Of
Cuba, which was headed directly toward
the steamer. At o'clock, when about
Spanish flag; which was saluted by hoist
ing the American ensign, and dipping,
which act OF courtesy was answered by
the Spaniard.
At 7:l5 O'Clock she fired blank cart
ridge to leeward, soon followed by an
other. The American ensign was again
hoisted and dipped, but the course and
speed OF the ship was not changed, no
hostile demonstration b,ing antit ipa.ed;
the Alliancia was more than six miles off
land.
The Spanish man. -of-war was not salts
fed however with even the double salute,
but proceeded to chase the American to
the fullest speed Seeing that the Amer
Jean was drawing away, she hove to
bringing her guns to bear and fired a
solid shot which struck the water less
than an eighth of a mile away from the
ship and directly in line. This was fol,
lowed by two more solid shots which for
tunately did not reach the mark, the sec.
ond striking the water in plain sight Of
the ship.
At each shot. however, the Spanish
ship yawed to get range on the American
ship before firing on her, plainly showing
the intention to hit if she could.
CaptainGrossman of the Alliancia, know
ing he was more than two leagues from
land and on big high seas ordered full
steam and slowly drew out of range. The
n a 30 I-nn
however. This outrage was reported to
the Secretary OF State by Captain Cross
man.
Captain Crossman was unable to get the
name of the Spanish gnnboat.
I'VE were six miles off the shore on the
high seas he said, 'and do not think
we were responsible to the Cubans or any,
body else for being in those waters. The
shots were fired doubtless by some con-
ceited Spaniard who has idea that he can
stop anything that floats. However, he
was disappointed for it never occurred to
me for a moment to lay to.
1T is customary for us to run within
half mile OF the Cuban coast and this
time we were farther away from it than
ever, and l really cannot tell why the
shots were fred"
LII answer to question as to whether
or not the shots might have been fired by
the gunboat with the idea that his boat
the Captain said: They might have been
practicing on u.s. The ship has been
running between this port and Colon for
a number of years, making one trip each
month. She leaves here on the 26th day
of each month and starts on her return
trip on the 9TH of the following month.
She carries the United States mail and
has passenger accommodations for $50
cabin passengers, including the officers.
She carries crew of sixty men.
Washington, March 12-No report has
reached the State Department of the pur-
suit of and firing at the merchant ship
Alliancia off the Cuban coast by Spanish
warship, and in the absence of a definite
and properly substantiated statement of
the facts, the officials positively decline
to pass judgment on the matter.