Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-13
FLAG FIRED ON.
Spanish Gunboat Fires on
American Steamer AIIianca,
OF Cuba---SeveraI Blank and Solid
Shot Thrown at Old Glory.
Captain Kept on His Course, and Spain viii
Have to Explain.

New York, March 12-The firing of
Spanish man-of-war at the steamer
Alliance is likely to lead to serious com
plications. The owners of the line are
very indignant at the insult and say they
viii demand reason for the attempt to
stop an American mail steamship on the
high seas in times of peace. The follow
ing letter has been sent to Secretary Gies
ham:
1.-THE American mail steamship Al
lianca, under my command, while on the
homeward bound voyage from Colon, r.
c., to New York, was, on the morning of
March s, off the cast end of Cuba At
6 go barkentine-r rugged steamship was
sighted under land, bearing directly for
us. At 7. she set her colors, proving
to be Spanish gunboat
II Immediately ordered the American
ensign hoisted ON the Alliance, and saluted
the Spaniard, which salute was duly re-
turned by her. then saluted once more
and supposed the matter was at an end
About five minutes later the Spaniard
fired blank cartridge and fewmoments
later another, that one being followed
shortly afterward by three solid shots, all
of which fell short of the Alliance, but
showing conclusively that the Spaniard
was firing at us.
~ being fully six miles off shore, and
on the high seas, paid no further atten-
ton to the Spaniard, but kept to my
course. The Spaniard kept up the chase
although gradually dropping astern, for
fully % miles desire to know if the
Spaniard had any right to fire on my ship,
with the probable chance of endangering
the lives of the passengers and crew I'M
der my charge, or compel me to heave to-
as he probably intended, l respectfully
ask for Information on that subject, as
did not and do not propose to heave to,
thereby losing time on my voyage, to
obligc Spanish gnnboats or any Others
except in cases of distress. respectfully,
James A. Crossman, commander
The story told by the ships officers is
that at daylight. Friday morning, about
$50, while going through the windward
passage from the Caribbean sea to the
Atlantic, a ship was seen coming from
under the land of Cape Maiisi, the eastern
point of Cuba. The stranger laid her
course with the evident object ofintercept
ing tho Alliance. and at she hGisted the
orange and crimson colors, which taken
with the build and general appearance,
left no doubt in the minds of those aboard
the Alliance that she was Spanish man
of-war.
No sooner were the gunhoat's colors
seen at the mizzen peak than Captain
Crossman of the Alliance ordered the
Stars and Stripes hoisted on the jackstaf
over the taffrail and dipped three times
in salute The marine courtesy was re
T. Il INxrE ln hi I'D tl.,
Alliances ensign was unbent from the
halyards and slowed away. Hardly had
this been accomplished than the Spanard
again displayed her colors, and, as q mark
of extra politeness, Captain Crossman
ordered the Alliances flag run up and
dipped again, and then left flying.
Again was the salute acknowledged,
and then, to the amaZement Of those
aboard the American steamer a blank
shot was fired from oflepof the war vessels
forward port guns. The shot was prob
ably meant as an invitation to the Al
lianca to heave to, but Captain Crossman
had no intention Of obeying the summons.
He remarked 10 Second Officer Russell.
on duty on the bridge, 1.-THE Spaniard
seems TO be firinga shot, land then calmly
kept to his course
Soon afterward another blank shot was
fired, which the captain greeted by say
ing, "All right; let him shoot to HI.
A third shot was fired, and this time it
was a shot in earnest. II was solid shot
and she waved from her course that tie
gun might be aimed at the Yankee mer
chairman. The course of the shot could
DO seen where it Iicochetted along the
CONTINUED on page s.