New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-26
THOUGHTHE WAS BOMBA RDED
Ell. RIOS CAPTAIN SAW SHOTS PASS FORE
AND AFT HIS VESSEL OFF
SANDY HOOK.
Gun TESTS WERE IN PROGRESS. But THE
MILITARY OFFICER IN CHARGE SAYS
THERE WAS NO DANGER.


"If those fellows at Sandy Hook don't look
sharp said Captain Robert Il. Quick. OF the Nor
gan line steamship FL Rio yesterday TO a Tribune
reporter. they'll blow some steamer to the eternal
bow day and then there'll be row.
The remark of the veteran fleet captain OF the
Morgan line caused by experience through
which the FL Rio passed yesterday morning she
just making port after fast run fi0m New
Orleans. and about five miles southeast OF
Sandy Hook and one mile south Of Scotland Light
ship s:i5 a. m. when the captains attention was
called the firing at the Hook. In the pilot-house
Captain Quick. First Officer B. F. Jacobs and
Quartermastcr C. Ivson. who was at the wheel, and
the morning hazy sharp lookout was
kept. and FL Rio kept at eight knots-half
speed. Suddenly there was a puff of smoke at the
Proving Grounds at the Hook and moment or
two ,atcr shot struck the water half mile or
more from the El Rio near an outgoing brig.
Pretty close for comfort" said the captain TO
his mate. and he spoke there was another pun
Of smoke the Hook, and again came shot
hurting seaward. I'VE could hear the whistle OF
the missile" said the captain 'and II passed about
two hundred feet not more. ahead, across our Do"S'
striking the about ore-eighih o: mile 70 the
starboard and sending ~ mass Of spray hafdN
had we recovered from the effects oi the secoh1
shot when. five minutes later third shot was
discharged and began TO think We were pehg
bombarded with vengeance. The third shot struck
astern OF about two hundred feet and directly
in wake In all four shots. that 1 noticed, were
fired
Il think ii an outrage" continued the captain
that BE lives cf men ani the safety or Vesses
should DE pu In unnecessary danger by these iests
at Sandy Hook ana II they not stopped there
Will yet he serious calamity. NJ the time OF the
firing there Were number OF fishing vessels astern
of and several outgoing vessels 10 the norfh.
and as the weather hazy thcre was the great
danger that one OF them might be nit. however
accurate the aim Of the gunners.
Captain QuicN has been g)ine 70 sea loi lofN
years. ard has been with the Morgan Line iof
twenty years lie has Commanded the r. hio.
which Is OF the htn1somest American merchant
vessels afoat. since she was Launched at Now
port News in 1872 lie lives IN Brooklyn n Nio
holds the record DAYS l. hours and 50 minutes
for the tri, between this mort and New-prlears.
Captain Quick said that he had often noticed IN"
shooting at the Hook. but never before hal 80 IN
innate acquaintance with IL lie reported the AZ
fair 10 the Morgan Line agents. ana Il - probable
that they viii make & complaint 10 Washington
Capfaln Frank Heath. VINO is commanding at the
sandy Hook Proving Grounds. when he heard OF
the repor, made by Captain quick Of the El itio,
said. Careful outlook was made before each shoi.
and ne do not think hc steamer was AZ any tine
In danger" The nrng was done from l2-irch
rhed mortar. mounted on n carriage OF new
pneumatic pattern. designed by n. A. Spih"r, oi
Boston The recol i taken w by compr'sseI ar.
The results far sai:sfa ciory, ana me tests
viii be completed In couple Of weeks