The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-20
GAVE THE CUTTER THE SLIP.
BUT THE THREE FRIENDS TURNED
UP IN JACKSONVILLE.

Duty Here For Several Days-Capt
HERRING Expected to Hear From
the Cutter at jacksonville, and He
VIII.
The United States revenue cutter Lot
NJ. Morrill, arrived in port yesterday morn
ing, and is now lying in the river opposite
the Central press wharf. The Morrill, ex-
poets to remain here several days, and
will probably dock at Bond & Harrison 5
coal wharf to-day.
The arrival Of the Morrill, was uneXpect-
ed, and in fact, the officers Of the vessel
themselves had no intention of coming
here until early yesterday morning, when
they found that the flibustering steamer
Three Friends, which they have been trail
ing for several days, had given them the
slip.
The Three Friends having been engaged
in flibustering expeditions continuously
for some time, is naturally under sus-
picion, and though there is no proof that
she is now preparing for another expedi-
ton, the Morrill, was given orders some
time ago to keep her under surveillance.
The officers Of the Morrill, had no right to
detain the Three Friends, or to inter
fere with her movements, there being no
charge against her, but her previous con-
duct furnished sufficient grounds for keep
ing the vessel under suspicion.
Friday morning the captain of the Three
Friends announced that he was going to
take a cruise out into the Atlantic to
search for derelicts of the last storm, for
the purpose of securing salvage. There
was nothing for the Morrill, to do but TO
follow, which she did at close quarters.
The Three Friends proceeded to zigzag
along up the coast, speaking every YES
sci she met and making inquiries for dere-
licts. The two vessels arrived at South
port below Wilmington Friday afternoon,
where they went alongside a wharf. The
Morrill, then continued up to Wilmington,
Gunner e. J. Nooan of the cutter beng
put aboard the Three Friends as a precaU-
ton to prevent her running away while
the revenue cutter was out of sight.
Wilmington is the station of the Morrill,,
although she has been doing duty in the
Gulf for the greater part of the last sew
eral months, and the officers were anx-
ious to see their friends there. The Nor
rill remained at Wilmington until the
next day, Sunday, when finding that the
1W6e ETleuuS Was ABOUT 10 resume neT
search for derelicts, she put to sea with
her.
The Three Friends started back south
with the Morrill, following closely behind,
Gunner Noonan being still on board the
hlibuster heavy blow came on that
might and early yesterday morning, about
1870 o'clock, the officer on watch suddenly
lost sight of the Three Friends. She had
evidently devised her lights and taken
cf
the cutter. Efforts were made to find
her, but without success. This occurred
just off Charleston, and Capt. Herring de-
cided to run into Savannah, thinking to
hear something of his truant and expect
ing to receive orders here for his future
movements.
The Morrill, was visited yesterday by a
Morning News reporter in company with
Lieut. G. B. Maher of the Tybee. Ensign
Signor of the photographic station, and
Mr. j. B. West The party was very
pleasantly received. Capt. Herring and
his officers were evidently not at all wor-
Tied at losing sight of the Three Friends.
They We're satisfied that she could not be
engaged in amy fHbustering business, be-
cause She had nothing aboard with the
exception of coal, which would be useful
10 the insurgents.
Lieut. Winrand who was on watch when
the Three Friends disappeared, was evil
IDENTIFY not at all concerned about this
fact. Capt. Herring said that he was
satisfied that the Three Friends was
bound for jacksonville, and that She would
turn up there all right with Gunner Moo
nan aboard. A Morning News dispatch
from Jacksonville last night proves that
he was correct in his belief. Capt. Herring
said that Gunner Noonan had no legal
status aboard the Three Friends, being
there simply by permission of her cap
tain. She would not dare to take him
away with her on any filibustering expe-
dition. however, and to put him ashore
would be too strong a circumstance
against her IN amy charge of filibustering
which might follow.
Capt. Malcolm Broward the sheriff
elect of DuVal county, is in command OF
the Three Friends, and the vessel has
a crew of fifteen men aboard. 1t Is capt.
Browards brother, Capt. Napoleon Brow
ard of Jacksonville who has made sew
eral successful expeditions to Cuba with
the Three Friends. Had he been aboard
when the steamer slipped away, there
would have been good reason to believe
that he had business in view. The Three
Friends was only released from the GUS
tody Of the United States court at Jack
sonYille Thursday on giving $1,000 bond for
appearance when demanded to answer the
charges against her
one of the officers of the Morrill, said
that the Three Friends had a large sup
ply of coal on board, and ii might posi-
bly, have been that she was on the look
out for the tug Dauntless in order to
transfer her the coal The Dauntless
does not dare put into a United States
port now, as il is said she would be i'm
medately seized, and doubtless confis-
Gated and sold.
Capt Herring was wen pleased to re-
ceive orders here to cruise in the vicin-
ity Of Savannah for several days. He and
his officers have only a slight acquaint-
ance with Savannah, and they anticipate
considerable pleasure in extending their
acquaintance here. The Morrill, is Off
cered as follows: Capt. William j. Her
ring First Lieut. II. NJ. Broadbent, Second
Lieut.. S. b. Winrand Chief Engineer w.
f. Blakemore, Second Assistant Engineer
II. f. Schoonborn. Pilot Il. Dennis.
The officers of the Morrill, are already
very favorably impressed with what they
have seen of Savannah. A more clever
company Of gentlemen it would be hard
to find, and it is to be hoped that their
impression will become a lasting one be-
fore their departure.
The following dispatch, received from
Jacksonville last night, shows that there
is little sensation left in the disappear