The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-08
THE V|RcINIUS MASSACRE
A Bloody Page Of Spanish History
In Cuba.
RECKLESS AND WANTON KILLING
Only the Timely Interpositiou Of brit.
ish Guuboat Suffised to Save One
Hundred and Two Other Lives.
Tho Exact Details.

Late in 1870 the Cuban revolutionary
party purchased in New York a Clyde
built iron side-wheel steamer, called
the Virgin. and rechristening her Vir-
ginius. htted her up as q cruiser and
transport for landing men and supplies
on the Island Of Cuba; and in the fol-
lowing year she sailed on her first ex-
petition under orders from Gen. Ra-
phael Quesada, the revolutionary chief.
She succeeded on this occasion in land
ing force near Santiago de Cuba, and
rendered similar services some time
later. In the fall of 1873 an expedition
on a still larger scale was planned by
the revolutionary committee. and on
October s of that year us volunteers
and a full compliment of able seamen,
the majority native Americans. left
New York to embark on the Virginius,
then lying in the harbor OF Kingston.
Jamaica. The ship was commanded by
Captain Joseph Fry. of Louisiana, who
had distinguished himself as blockade
runner during the civil war, and among
the revolutionary leaders. who boarded
her at Kingston, We're Gen. w. A. Z.
Ryan, a native New Yorker. who had
already fought in Cuba; Pedro Ces-
pedes, a younger brother Of Carlos
ban Republic. and Gems. Jesus del Sol
and Varona, prominent patriots.
1t was on the oath Of October, 1873.
that the Virginius steamed out Of King
ston harbor. The original intention
was to sail direct for the shores of
Cuba. but a damage to the machinery
necessitated q stoppage at Port-au-
Prince, Hayti. A second start was
made on October 30. Meanwhile the
Spanish Consul at Kingston had been
keeping watch on the movements of
ha ND o1 n,
Burriel. of Santiago de Cuba, ordering
the commander of the war-ship lorna
do TO sail In quest of her. On the mora
ing of the 3lst the Spanish vessel sight
ed the filibuster on the high sea The
former was at the time under full sail
with little steam on, as her engine was
undergoing repairs. The captain Of the
Virginius mistook the enemy for an
ordinary sailing craft, and did not alter
his course until too late. AT O'Clock
in the afternoon the Tornado's engineer
announced that his repairs were COM
pleted. Thereupon the chase began In
earnest. the war-ship heading for the
Virginius under full steam. At this
point the filibusters suddenly realized
their danger, and started to make
run for the Jamaica coast.
RUN SHORT OF COAL.
By q strange lack Of foresight on the
part OF her commander, the Virginius
had run short of coal; but as It was an
issue of life OF death, no eXertfon was
spared to reach she protection Of the
British waters. To supply the lack of
fuel all the greasy substances on board.
such as oil, fat and hams, from the pro-
vision stores, were thrown into the fur
naces: all the weapons, the horses and
the cargo were consigned to the waves.
But all to no avail. Even the coming
on of night proved Of little benefit to
the fugitives, for the moon rose in full
tropical splendor. Finally toward 10 In
the evening q shell was sent across the
bows of the Inflated cruiser There
was now no alternatives; surrender was
unavoidable Presently two armed
boats from the Tornado came along
side, and, taking possession of the Vir-
ginius, made all on board prisoners.
The first order of the Spanish officer
in charge was to lower the American
flag, and hoist in it's place the Spanish
ensign-notwithstand the fact that
the Virginius had been duly cleared for
colors; and shortly after midnight the
two vessels started for Santiago de
Cuba, which was reached the following
afternoon at o'clock.
The arrival of the Tornado with her
prize created tremendous sensation.
and the wharves We're soon crowded
with exultant citizens and officials
eager to gaze on the foolhardy Yam.
KEGS" The elite Of the population
fastened to congratulate Gov. Bur-
rlel, and the principal ediflces in town
were illuminated, as If after a .gre.t
victory. Santiago was fairly drunk
with joy. In the evening Burrlel gave
a grand reception; and the bay re-
echoed with the songs of the volun-
teers, who crowded it's waters in Gayly
festooned boats. So much for the first
act of the drama!
Whatever dismal forebodings the ac-
tual leaders Of the Virginius expedition
may have entertained amid all these
public demonstrations, 1t does not ap-
pear that the purely American portion
of the crew looked forward with any
serious apprehension to the outcome
of their enterprise. While it Is true
that the Spanish authorities had good
reason to suspect hostile intentions on
their part, not scirtilla of evidence
had been obtained which would war;
rant prosecution: for, as already stat
ed, every object Of suspicious nature
had been thrown overheard before the
surrender, and when the Spaniards
boarded the Virginuius she was to all
outward appearances peaceable