The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-25
FIRST NAVAL BATTLE
FIGHT BETWEEN THE THREE
FRIENDS AND SPANISH SHIPS,
In which the American FiIibuster Is
said to Have Showed Her Teeth
and Come on Victorious.
HOTCHKISS CANNON USED
AND sHiAPNELs THROWN AT THE
ENEMY WITH GOOD EFFECT.
VolIeys from Rifles Also Fired at the
Spanish sailors When Their Ves-
sci Got within Range.
ARMED COASTER DEFEATED
AND A GUNBOAT REPORTED TO HAVE
ALSO BEEN DISABLED.
The Three Friends Chased Again Aft
er Landing Her CargO-Seized ON
Arrival at Key West.
VolIeys from Rifles Also Fired mt the
Spanish Sailors When Their Ves-
sci Got Within Range.
ARMED COASTER DEFEATED
AND a GUNBOAT REPORTED TO HAVE
ALSO BEEN DISABLED.
The Three Friends Chased Again Aft.
er Landing Her CargO-Seized on
Arrival at Key West.

NEW YORK. Dec. 25-A special to the
World from Key West. Fla, says: THE
lone star flag of Cuba has met the red and
yellow banner of CASTLE on the seas. The
shrapnell shell and rifle volleys of brave
filibuster have made answer to the roar of
Spanish twelve-pounders and have gained
for Cuba libre the first victory on the
ocean. The filibustering steamer Three
Friends sailed from Fernandina, Fla, Sun
day night Dec. Is, carrying valuable car
go of munitions of war for the Cuban in
surgents. Eluding the vigilance of United
States war ships and revenue cutters, and
lodging every sail upon the ocean. the little
steamer with about fifty men was within
hailing distance of Cuba ON the sixth night
out. Surprised. trapped and fired upon. she
threw shot into Spanish naval coaster,
frightened off big gunboat and escaped
The Three Friends put in again to the coast
and safely landed her cargo on the border
of the great Zapata swamp.
Not before in Cuba's struggle for liberty
has the flag of Spain been fired upon at
sea. No other filibuster, after having
been attacked by the enemy has stood by
her guns and fuIile1 her periious mission.
The account of this history-making trip is
as follows: :---=ss-rsSll Is SllRa Nas n.eared about
midnight last Saturday a two-pound shell
buzzed and tore through our rigging. and
five minutes later the naval duel was in
progress. Early on the morning of Friday
the 18th, Cape San Antonio. at the western
extremity of Cuba, was rounded. A
stiff breeze was blowing off land
and the ship headed southwark
1t was known that the battle ship Reina
Mercedes, the cruiser Alfonso XIII and the
coaster Dose de Maio were patrollng the
Pinar del Rio south coast. The sealed or
ders from the New York Junto were opened
an hour after the cape had been passed
They gave no directions as to the course the
vessel should take, its destination alone be-
ing mentioned. The orders of the Junto
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 munitions at any
other point
CAUSED A SENSATION.
''The orders caused sensation. A consul
tation was held Immediately in the cabin.
attended by Capt John O'Brien, Naviga-
ton Captain Lewis. Maj. Perez Morales,
1f 10,
tenant Calvo, a sea commissioner of the
same. Major Arnas was also called in
Nearly every officer aboard had warned the
Junto that he would not attempt to land an
expedition near the San Juan river. The
steamer Merbuda had tried TO land and had
been fired on and driven away by Spanish
coaster, while the cargo of the Dauntless,
after having been put ashore. was captured.
But what was there to be done? The
steamer had stolen away from the United
States and had already covered three quar-
ters of the distance to her ordered destina-
ton. She had weathered heavy storms and
was stanch. Her crew was picked one,
and the soldiers aboard were brave and de-
termined.
"'Well land at the San Juan if We have
to sail through hell to do it, said Captain
Lewis. Keep a good head on. but dom I
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 northwest
against dead wind. When night fell we
were thirty miles from land. following an
Eastern line Saturday morning clear
and beautiful. The vessel was placed un-
der a small head of steam and went easily
in a calm sea. About the decks all was
astir. Boxes of arms. cartridges and dyn-
amite stored in the holds were carried on
deck. and put in convenient positions for
landing. Each man who was to land with
| the party had his personal effects bundled
together and ready to be cast into the first
boat. The Three Friends was several hours
i'm making her way to the proper place TO
effect a landing When all was H. readi-
ness the coast seemed entirely clear.
ION the lower deck. amidships. the first
boats crew. armed with machetes and re-
volvers. stood ready TO arm the large surf
boat, which already swung over the side.
The crew consisted of Lieutenants Car
bonne and Guiteras. Sharpshooter John
German and Privates Aureio Arcane and
Edgaro Major Perez Moraez and DR.. Bar
| jardini who were also to go ashore in the
| first boat, stood at the gangway. Behind
the first boats party stood dozen men
armed with machetes and Remingtons. in
| line along the rail. TO repel boarders. None
| others aboard was armed. except with re-
| volyers. which they carried in their belts,
! as the rifles and machetes had been re-
| turned TO their boxes for transfer ashore
on the prov, night glasses in hand, stood
| Captain Lewis, Major Arnas and Engineer
| Pagluchi. The remainder of the expedi-
ton gathered along the rails or the port
| side the vessel steamed almost In the
| shadow OF the rocky cliffs.
FIGHT WITH THE COASTER.
When the filibuster was within four
| hundred yards of shore the engineer dis
n rr1oy NJ in he dark