Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
VICTORY FOR CUBA At SEA
Filibusterjng Steamship Three Friends
Runs Hot Gauntlet,
LANDS HER CARGO ON THE ISLAND
Fires on n Naval Coaster and Escapes
from Big Gunbont and n Swift
Cruiscr-An Exciting
Trip.

World from Key West, Fla, says: The
lone star flag of Cuba has met the red and
yellow banner of Castillo upon the seas,
The shrapncl, shell and rifle voleys of a
brave flibuster have made answer to the
roar of Spanish twelve-pounders and have
gained for Cuba libre the first victory on
the ocean The flibustering steamer Three
Friends sailed from Fernandna, Fla, sun
day night. December 13, carrying valuable
cargo of munitions of war for the Cuban
insurgents. After eluding the vigilance Of
United States war ships and revenue cutters,
and dodging every sail upon the ocean, the
little steamer, with almost fifty men, was
within haiing distance of Cuba on the sixth
night out. Surprised, trapped and fired
upon, she threw shot into the Spanish naval
coaster frightened off a big gunboat and
escaped from a swift cruiser, steering out to
sea. The Three Friends put in again to the
coast and safely landed her cargo on the
border of the great Zapatha swamp. Not be-
fore in Cubas struggle for liberty has the
Gag of Spain been fired upon at sea. No
other flibuster, after having been attacked
by the enemy has stood by her guns and
fulfilled her perilous mission One of the
members of the crew tells this story of the
trip:
LAS Cuba was neared about midnight last
through our rigging, and in five minutes
the naval duel was in progress. Early in
the morning of Friday, the 18th inst, Cape
San Antonio at the western extremity of
Cuba, was rounded. A stiff breeze was
blowing off the land, and the ship headed
southwark. 1t was known that the battle
ship Reina Mercedes, the cruiser Alfonso
XIII and the coaster Dos de Mayo were
patrollng the Pinar del Rio south coast.
The sealed orders from the New York junta
were opened one hour after the cape had
been passed. They gave no directions as to
the course the vessel should take, it's des-
tination alono being mentioned The orders
of the junta read: Sail to the mouth Of the
San Juan river and there await party of
insurgents, who will take charge of the
cargo. Do not attempt TO land men or
munitions at any other point
UNUSUALLY DANGEROUS MISSION.
"The orders caused a sensation. A con-
sultation was held Immediately in the cabin,
attended by Captain John O'Bren Naviga-
ton Captain Lewis, Major Ferez Morales,
commander of the land expedition, and
Lieutenant Colonel Calvo, sea commander
of the same. Major Arnas was also called
in. Nearly every officer aboard had warned
the junta that he would not attempt to land
an expedition near the San Juan river. The
steamer Bermuda had tried to and had been
fred upon and driven away by a Spanish
coaster, while the cargo of the Dauntless
after having been put ashore, was captured.
But what was to be done? The steamer
had stolen away from the United States and
had already covered three-quarters Of the
distance to her ordered destination. She
had weathered heavy storms and was
staunch. Her crew was a picked one and
the soldiers aboard were brave and deter
mined. Wen land at the San Juan II we
have to sail through HI to do it, said Cap
tain Lewis. Keep a good head on, but
don't waste any COAL was the word sent
down to Chief Engineer Dunn. When fifty
miles south OF the cape the course was
changed to north by northeast, against a
head wind When night fell we were thirty
miles from land, forwarding an eastern line.
Saturday morning was clear and beautiful.
The vessel was placed under small head
of steam and went easily in calm sea.
about the decks all was astir. Boxes OF
arms, cartridges, and dynamite stored in the
holds were carried on deck and put in con-
venient positions for landing Each man
who was to land with the party had his per-
sonal effects bundled together and ready to
be cast into the first boat. The Three Friends
was several hours in making her way TO
the proper place to effect landing. When
all was in readiness the coast seemed en-
tirely clear. On the lower deck. amidships,
the first boats crew, armed with machetes
and revolvers stood ready to man the large
surfboat which already swung over the side
The crew consisted OF Lieutenants Carbonne
and Cuteras, Sharpshooter John German
and Privates Aurelio Arcane and Edgardo
Major Perez Morales and DR.. Banjardin,
who were also to go ashore in the first boat
stood at the gangway. Behind the first
boats party stood a dozen men armed with
machetes and rifles in line along the rail- to
repel boarders. None of the others were
armed, except with revolvers. which they
carried in their belts. as the rifles and
machetes had been returned to their boxes
for transfer ashore
ION the PROV, night glass in hand, stood
Captain Lewis. Major Arnas and En-
gineer Pagluchi. The remainder of the ex-
pedition gathered along the rail on the port
side as the vessel steamed almost in the
shadow of the rocky cliffs When the fill
buster was within 400 yards of the shore the
engineer discovered a moving object in the
darkness under the lee. and informed Cap
tain Lewis that he saw coaster. Without
further ado the hibuster steamed swiftly
to starboard and pointed for the open sea. e!
Few persons aboard had seen the Spaniard
Captain O'Brien, after allowing his ship to
scamper three or four hundred yards, hove
to, then backed toward the mouth of the
San Juan. In minute more the black shape
or forty-foot coaster was seen darting out
In our direction. Away steered the fibuster.
and behind emerging from the shadow along
the shore, came the coaster.
For few minutes the exciting race con-
tinued, and then came fash of light from
the Spaniard A second later came the |
crack OF two-pounder, and then there was |
the hiss of a shell a few rods to the star |
board Word was passed ON the filbuster |
that all must fight few men broke open |
the rifle and cartridge boxes, and soon the |
entire party were armed. Sharpshooter Cor !
man gathered his riflemen along the stern !
rail upon the upper deck. Major Morales |
was in charge. Again came a flash from the |
coaster, and another solid shot splashed in |
the water, several rods nearer the vessel. |
Pursued and pursuer were each under full |
steam, and smoke was pouring from their |
tunnels. They were now about 500 yards |
apart Then the Spaniard fired for the
third time, but falling a few rods astern of
us, but in a direct line,
" Use the Hotchkiss,' commanded Mo-
rales.
Gunner Michael Welsh, with his crew,
had stood by the twelve-pounder In the bow.
heard the command with Joy and called .
out to Captain O'Bren to swing the |
ship around. In a minute the filbuster
was almost broadside TO the coaster. The
latter booued the fourth time, but the smoke
had not yet cleared away before the Hotch-
kiss on our PROV belched forth and sent
a shrapne shell between the short masts
Of the coaster, squarely over her engines,
The shell did not burst, but the Spaniards
seemed paralyzed with fear. Several men
ON the lover deck opened fire with their
rifles and this was followed by rafting
yolley from the line Of men on the upper
deck, The shrapnel shell fired from the
Hotchkiss ended the fight as the Standards |