The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-25
VICTORIOUS At SEA.
The First Naval B ncountcr Bet ween
Cuba and Spain
VAS A VICTORY FOR THE REPUBLIC.
Steamer Three Friends Attacked by
Spanish Cruiser.
sPANIARD MAS PUT TO FLIGHT
Hotchkiss with Deadly Eject.
Landed Her Cargo In Cuba.

New York. December PA special to the
World from Key West says the lone star
banner OF CASTLE upon the seas. The shot
and rife voleys OF a brave ilibuster have
FOUNDERS. and have gained for Cuba libre
the first Victory on the ocean, The fli-
from Fernandina, Fla, Sunday night. De-
combcr IS, carrying cargo OF munitions
tho vigilance of the United States ships and
revenue cutters and lodging every sail ON
nny mon. within hailing distance Of Cuba
on the sixth night out. was surprised. trap
ped and fired upon She threw shot Into
Spanish naval coaster. frightened off
big gunboat and escaped from swift cruis-
or steering out TO sea,
The Three Friends put IN again TO the
coast and safely landed her cargo ON the
Not before in Cubas struggle for liberty
has the flag of Spain been fred on at sea.
tackled by the enemy has stood by her
guns and fulfilled her perilous mission Tho
"a. LET. mn In Ia <
follows
Az cuba was nearcd about midnight last
saturday n two pound shell bu1zed and tore
through our rigging and five minutes later
the naval duel was In progress. early IN
the morning of Friday. the 18th. Cape san
Antonio at the western extremity Of Cuba.
was rounded. A stiff breeze was blowing
ca tho land and the ship headed south-
ward
1t was known that the batteship Peina
Mercedes, the cruiser Alfonso MI and The
coaster Dozc dc Maio were patrolllng the
Plnar del Rio south coast The sealed cr-
ders from the New York junta were opened
an hour after the cape had been PASSED.
They gave no directions as to the course
The vessel should take. it's destination alone
being mentioned The orders of the junta
said
Sail to the mouth of the San Juan river
and there awni. a party of insurgents, Who
win take charge OF the cargo DO not at
tempt to land men or munitions at any
other point"
The orders caused Il sensation. a COIL
snltaton was held Immediately in 'he cabin
and attended by Captain John o. arien,
Navigation Captain Lewis Major Perez Mo-
rales. commander of the land expedition.
and Lieutenant Colonel Calyo, sea COM
mander of the same. Major Arnes was
also called in.
Nearly every officer aboard had warned
the junta that he would not attempt 10
land an expedition near the San Juan
river.
The steamer Bermuda had tried to and
had been fired upon and driven away by q
Spanish coaster. while the cargo of the
Dauntlcss, after having been put ashore.
was captured
Blu, what was here TO be done. The
steamer had stolen away from the United
States and had already covered three
four,hs OF the distance to her ordered des-
tination. She had wnathcred heavy storms
and was staunch. Her crew was picked
ne and the soldiers aboard were brave and
determined.
I'VE will land at the San Juan II we
have to 20 through hell to do IT, said
Captain Lewis. Keep good head on, tut
don't waste any coal" was the word hont
down TO the chief engineer. Dunn.
When fifty miles south of the cape the
course was changed to north by northeast.
against a dead wind. When night fell we
were thirty miles from land. following an
easterly direction. 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 vas astir. Boxes OF
arms. cartridges and dynamite stored in
the holds were carried on deck and put In
convenient position for landing.
Each man who was to land with the party
Continued on Third Pa9e,)