The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-27
SUNK IN SIGHT OF LAND
Graphic Description Of the Loss Of a
Spanish War Vessel.
GRAND SCENES or hEROISM
With the Vessel Fast Going Down. Off
GERS and Crew Refuse to Enter tho
Boats Until Their Friends
Have Entered First.

MOrro, Cuba, on Wednesday last, When
the Spanish war vessel Sanchez Bar-
caiZtegui, sank: The Spanish cruiser
left the bay of Havana with Admiral
Manuel Delgado Y Parejo and his staff
He was about to make a circular cruise
around the island. She cleared from
her moorings at ll.3O on Wednesday
night, steering for the narrow channel
leading to the open sea. She was under
easy steam, or half speed. when the
lookout noticed red and white light
on the signal station at the entrance
to the harbor, indicating that steamer
was standing in for the entrance of
the channel. She was steaming In
from the northeast end OF the island
She was only two cable lengths away.
Instantly Captain Ibanez, of the
cruiser. ordered the helm to starboard.
thus steering In to his right and close In
ON FL Morro, leaving ample room for
the incoming steamer to pass on his
port side. He duly announced his
course by single blast cf the whistle,
that being the sigral under the inter-
national code. Both ships were rapid
ly nearing each other, bow to bow.
Captain Ibanez's signal failed to elicit
an instant reply. He repeated the sim
gle blast, but as less than the usual
time interval elapsed between the two,
the incoming steamer the Mortera, in
terpreted Is as one signal Of two blasts.
indicating the port helm. She answered
by two whistles and changed her
course. This made the collision inevi-
table. They kept bow to each other.
Ca ptain lnanez, realizing the great and
instant peril. gave the order for full
speed astern. and ordered his wheel
hard over to meet the new and unex-
pected condition of things. This neces-
STATED thirty-fOur turns of the wheel
and involved loss of very valuable
time.
A Fircman's Costly Mishap.
During this critical moment, when
the fate Of the ship was In the balance,
fireman stumbled against the cleo
trio wires supplying light and displaced
them. and In an instant total darkness
enveloped the ship. The side lights on
the bridge, and forward the usual red
and green lights, We're supplied by the
electric current Momentarily the Nor
terra lost sight of her in the darkness
Under such circumstances the ship
was doomed In vain did the captain
Of the Mortera order his ship full speed
astern. Ere he could stop his ileadway
the two iron steamer came together
with a dreadful blow and crash.
1t was 1905 when they struck. Even
in the face Of instant death. full and
perfect discipline was maintained on
board the cruiser. With the stoical
heroism Of the Spanish sailor. Captain
IbaneZ gave orders ITO clear away and
lower the boats. Lieutenant Ricardo
Garcia JuncO was on duty forward, and
he knew that an immense hole had
been knocked in near the bow plates
The forecastle was full Of water. 1t
continued ITO pour into the ship, and
she commenced to sink by the head
Lieutenant Junco. recognizing the dan.
ger, Instantly reported to the admiral
as follows: admiral. in five minutes
the Sanchez Barcaiztegui will go
| down."
The admiral advanced in years and
| In poor health. in a quiet. self-pos-
sessed tone. replied: ''Report what you
have said ITO me to your captain. that
he may take any precaution he deems
| necessary" Obeying this order Lieu
| tenant Junco reported to the captain,
| who issued his final orders. Previous
| ly Captain Ibanez had ordered the load
| ing and firing of cannon as signal
| for help but time did not permit. She
was sinking too rapidly. All the boats
| were fioated.
| Remarkable Scene.
Then followed a remarkable scene
the rough and ready sailors entered on
a contest of generosity and heroic self
denial. '1 will wait for the last boat;
| have no one to mourn me-" said one.
Another cry was heard: "You that
have wives and children get into the
boats" The brave fellows refused to
be first The same spirit actuated all
on lboard-ofIicers and men alike. They
were cool and self-possessed. The cap
tain and his officers surrounded the
venerable admiral on the bridge. The
latter insisted on being the last to
leave the ship. admiral" said Lieu
tenant Garcia. "if your excellency
wishes, you can be lowered to boat
which he declined. saying: Thanks
my son. although aged can help my
SELF
Then the admiral addressed the crew
Haste, men. let all save themselves
The ship was sinking under them into
the deep waters off the Moro. Almos:
by force the admiral was placed into
a boat--that of Lieutenant Garcia Jun
co. Still, many remained on board
when general cry went up that the
| shin was sinking. The third boat. con.
tanning the admiral, was still alongside
| when an effort was made to clear her
When but n few yards away the shir
gave final lurch and disappeared
amid a sea of creamy foam. The sue
tion caused by the sinking of so large
a ship drew In everything nearby, In
cluding the boat containing the ad
miral, who, with all the crew. were lost
sharks Capture Live Prey.
Scenes at such moments are simply
indescriba'ole. The surface of the watel
was studded with heads struggling II
the waves sweeping In from the At
lantic. The air was filed with shrleks
prayers and crles-fearful. heartrend
ing cries-some shouting farewell t.
mothers, wives and children. Thl
solemn and dreadful scene was mad'
simply awful by the appearance o
many sharks. The harbOr and coast o
Cuba Is known for Its man-eatn.
sharks. Some Of the unfortunate mel
were seized by the legs and drawn TN
dor; Others sank beneath the waves.
while this fearful scene was beinl
enacted the brave and gallant captain
of the Moreta, Jose ID. Vinolas, ha,
lowered all of his boats and forty-tiv
officers and men were rescued that
but for his assistance, would have beel
drowned within a hundred yards of
large and populous city. All were lou,
In their praise OF Captain Vtnolas.
In drawing this narrowing scene t
close. the gallant captain of the Bar
caizetegul must not be forgotten. H
saw to the embhrking of every man an
was last on the ship. As she CAV
the final lurch he jumped into the sex