The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-25

upon the seas. The shrapnel, shell and
rifle volleys of a brave flibuster
have made answer to the roar of Span
ish 12-pounders and have gained for
Cuba Libre the first victory on the
ocean. The fiiibustering steamer Three
Friends sailed from Fernandina, Fla,
Sunday night, Dec. 10. carry ing a val
liable cargo of ammunition for the Gu
oan insurgents.
GREAT WORK.
Elra.ng the vigilance OF United
States warshiDs and revenue cutters,
and lodging every sail upon the ocean,
the little steamer with about 90 men,
was within hailing distance of Cuba on
the sixth nighf out. Surprised, trapped
and fired upon, she threw shot into
Spanish naval coaster, frightened off
big gunboat and escaped from a
swift cruiser, steering out to sea- The
Three Friends put in again to the
coast for the night and safely landed
her cargo on the border of the great
ZaDaia swamp. No Cuban filibuster
ever ran such a gauntlet; none ever
went through such a rain of shot and
shell. Never before in Cuba's struggle
for liberty has the flag of Spain been
fred upon at sea. No other flibuster
after having been attacked by the
enemy has stood by her guns and full
nlled her brave and perilous mission.
STORY OF THE TRIP.
The account of this history-making
trip is given as it was written from
day to day on the voyage, as follows.
As we neared Cuba about midnight
last Saturday, 1 proposed to go ashore
Three minutes later. two-pound shell
buZzed and tore through our rigging,
and five minutes later the naval duel
was in progress. Early on the morn
ing of Friday, the 18th, we rounded
Cape San Antonio at the western eX-
tremity of Cuba. A stiff breeze was
blowing off the land, and the ship
headed southwark. 1t was known that
the battieShip Reina MarcedeS, the
cruiser Alfonso XIII, and the coaster
Dos De Mic, were patrolling the Pinar
del Rio south coast.
1.-THE sealed orders from the New
York junta were opened an hour after
the cape had been passed. The orders
of the iunta read: Sail to the mouth
of the San Juan river and there await
a party of insurgents, who will take
charge of the cargo. Do not attempt
to land men or munitions at any other
point
Nearly every officer aboard had
warn j the junta that he would not at
tempt to land an expedition near the
San Juan river. The steamer Bermuda
had tried to and had been fired upon
and driven away by a Spanish coaster,
while the cargo of the Dauntless, after
having been put ashore, was captured.
But what was there to be done?
Wen land at the San Juan, if we have
to sail through he'll to do it,, said the
captain. Keep a good head on, but
don't waste any COAL was the word
sent down to Chief Engineer Dunn.
when so miles south of the cape,
the course was changed to north by
northeast against q head wind. About
the decks all was hustle. The boxes
of arms, cartridges and dynamite
stored in the hold were carried on deck
and put in convenient positions for
landing The 12-pound Hotchkiss gun
was moInted forward, frowning over
the ships PROV.
.sAs Saturday afternoon wore on the
ship stood out to sea. When about 40
miles from land she threw her ocean
anchor and rolled quietly. All were
in readiness for the landing, darkness
alone being awaited. AS the sun went
down in red blaze, the filibuster
was headed for land. Quarter speed
Only was maintained till IL o'clock.
Six or seven miles from land the Three
Friends again slowed down and
thorough survey of the surroundings
was made. Tt is safe enough now to
go ahead said Major Morales, and
Captain O'Brien nodded. Captain
Lewis gave an order to Chief Engineer
Dunn and the filibuster pushed
ahead to the bright opening on the
rocky coast where the river runs into
the sea.
THEY WE'RE READY.
ION the lower deck amidships the
first boats crew, armed with machetes
and revolvers, stood ready to man the
large surf boats, which already swung
over the side. Behind the first boats
party stood a dozen men armed with
machetes and Remingtons in line along
the rail to repel boarders None others
aboard were armed except with the
revolvers they carried in their belts, as
the rifles and machetes had been re-
turned 10 their boxes for transfer
ashore.
ION The PROV, night glasses in hand,
stood Engineer Pagluchi, Captain
Lewis and Major Arnas.
when the filibuster was within
400 yards of shore and the first boat
was about to be launched, moving
object in the darkness was discovered
over the port bow. Without delay
word was passed to Captain O'Brien at
the wheel and Engineer Dunn. With
out further ado the fiiibuSter turned
swiftly to starhoard and pointed for
the open sea. All was excitement on
board ar this time and dozen glasses
were trained upon the suspicious dark
ness.
WAS NO MISTAKE.
There had been no mistake. Steam
and smoke were emerging from the
place and in a minute more the black
shape of a 4O-foot coaster was seen
darling out in our direction. Away
steamed the filibuster, and behind,
emerging from the shadow along the
shore. came the coaster. The moon
came from behind the clouds and the
Spaniard, with frowning guns mounted
upon her deck, steamed at full head
toward US.
For few minutes the exciting race
continued and then came a flash OF
light from The Spaniard. second
later came the crack of a two-pounder,
and than there was the hiss of a shell
a few rods to starboard-
Word was passed on the tilibuste~
that all must fight, and few men
broke open the rife and cartridge
boxes and soon the entire party were
armed.
Again came a flash from the coaster
and another solid shot splashed in the
water on the starboard side several
rods nearer the vessel.
Pursued and pursuer were each I'M
der full steam, and smoke was pouring
from their tunnels. They were now
about 500 yards apart. Then the Span |
lard fred for the third time, the shot
falling a few rods astern of US, but /
IN direct line. Use the Hotchkiss.
Commanded Major Morales. Gunner
Michael Walsh, who, with his crew had (
1r,--