The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-02

Story OF the Captain of Schooner That
Rescued Cuban Fllibusters.

BOSTON. Feb. 1.-The three-masted
schooner Leander v. Beebe of Greenport,
L. L.. which vessel rescued the majority of
the men comprising the Inflated expedition
which sailed from New York last Sunday
night on the steamer J. w. Hawkins, bound
to Cuba, to assist the insurgents, arrived
at this port to-day from Baltimore and
dropped anchor at the upper harbor. Capt
William " Howes was put ashore by a tug
and at once reported his arrival to his
agents In this city
Captain Howes said that at 7:s0 O'Clock
last Monday morning, while his vessel was
coming up the coast with a strong north
northwest gale blowing. accompanied by a
heavy sea, his attention was attracted to
two-funneied steamer which was lying
still some distance ahead and flying the
American flag. Union down. as a signal of
distress. simultaneously with the discov-
cry of the distressed vessel, I perceived. -
said Captain Howes, that boats we're being
dropped over the steamers side and a large
crowd OF men were swarming into them
BY careful manipulation We were soon 20
leeward or three of the boats which were
soon alongside and. without much difficulty
as the boats were on the windward side of
the vessel, We got all hands. numbering
seventy men. safely on board the schooner
The other two boats were some distance
AiOAIi 10 anu luciT occupants were D6lHg res
cued by two schooners. one Of them a four
master and the other a three-master. When
the men were got safely aboard and there
was nothing further for US to do I got the
vessel under way again. with the intention
OF running back to Delaware breakwater to
land the rescued men.
About IL oclock that forenoon 1 saw the
steamer. which learned from the men res
cued was the j. w. Hawkins, go down
stern first, after standing almost perpendic-
ularly, with her bow out of water for nearly
Il M
any or the men or their position nor did
ask them Monday night we were packed in
the cabin like sardines in box. Forty-one
OF the men were quartered there and the
remainder distributed IN other parts of the
vessel The men from the steamer saved
nothing but their clothing. / furnished
some Of them with hats. Undertaking and
coats. fed them and made all as comfortable
as possible"
When asked If he saw the two valises
stuffed with American bank notes. which
the men he rescued are said to have had,
he asserted that he did not see them. Con-
tfnuing, Captain Howes said: ION Tuesday
morning at 10 O'Clock when off the high
lands of Navesink, ". j.. / sighted tug
boat In the distance ard holsted the usual
signals for the tug to come alongside. The
boat proved to be the Fred B. Dalzell. Cap
tain DeNyso- I asked the captain what he
would take party OF seventy shipwrecked
men to New York for, and he replied 500.
man, to which agreement he readily assented
and the transfer OF the men to the tug was
quickly made. paid the captain OF the tug
out OF my own pocket and the only assur-
ance | have that / viii ever get il back Is
the word of the men. who: by their manner.
were all gentlemen. and, think. thoroughly
honest. Ny stock OF provisions was fast
giving out and was glad Of the opportunity
TO send the men safely to New York. Be
fore the men left my vessel they wanted
IN some way TO show their appreciation of
the kindness of my crew, and made up a
purse to present 10 my men. They sue
ceded In raising $50
Captain Howes was then asked IL IL was
tue that one Of the men he had rescued
was General Garcia. the leader of the ex-
pedition- He said that he did not know.
The steward of the Hawkins said Cap
tain Howes. who. by the way was an
American told me that the steamer was
totally unfit for sea and that she leaked
like a seive while coming down Long Island
sound"