Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-04-25

TRE STEAMER HOWARD CAssARD.-
1t is now said, Notwithstanding the
many denials, that the steamer How.
ard Cassard, now at Newport News, Va.,
has, while under the eyes of the Span.
ish minister and the Washington author
tiles, been prepared for big filbuster-
ing expedition. The ship, it is assert
ed, liz under contract to carry arms and
ammunition for Cuban insurgents, and
that it may eventually become tor
pedo boat. At any rate, it is an ad-
mitted fact that there is an option in
the Junta's hands if this government
should grant belligerency. The own
ers of the vessel declare, however, as
they have always done, that she will
be used for legitimate purposes. Ne.
gotiatons for the purchase of the How
aid Cassard, it is reported, have been
pending for more than a month.
While it cannot be stated positively
even now that she has been bought by
the Cubans, it is almost certain that she
will soon be engaged in their service.
Benjamin J. Guerra, treasurer of the
Cuban revolutionary party, when ques-
toned about the matter, while not adj
hitting its correctness, did not deny
the reports which have Deen circulated.
The present intention is said to be to
put on board $50 cases of ammunition,
five 6.pounder rapid fire guns, four l.
FOUNDER rapid fire guns and two Accles
machine guns. These will all throw
shells loaded with jovite, an explosive
strong than giant dynamite. 1t is re.
garded as likely that the Cassard will
clear for some Bermudan port and then
make long detour to the eastward.
She is to land her cargo where
ever possible on the Cuban coast
and then continue to her regular
destination. From there she can be
cleared again for some American port.
1t is reported in Washington that the
vessel is to make five trips as carrier
of arms and ammunition, her owners to
receive $40, 900 for each trip successfully
performed. If all five are successful
then the Cassard will be bought out
right by the junta. Mr.. E. S. Charlier,
of New York, one of the owners of the
vessel, says that the Cassard has been
taken to Newport News for the purpose
of being completed, the Baltimore yard
not having the facilities for putting on
the finishing touches on account of the
size of the ship. Mr.. Charlier laughed
at the idea that the Cassard was a Gu
ban filibuster. He said that she would
be at Newport News about two weeks,
and as soon as the necessary work had
been done she would Immediately enter
the fruit trade between American ports
and the West Indies.
Capt. Craig and his crew, who left
here on Tuesday evening last on the
steamer, all returned this morning from
Newport News where the steamer ar.
rived safely on Thursday in tow of the
tug Vulcan after "a hours trip. Capt.
Craig says that the steamer will be at
the Newport News ship yard for some
time and will he thoroughly examined
to ascertain her capabilities.
One of the Alexandrians was delight
ed to be safely home and said that he
had twice crossed the Atlantic, but
id if he was not now done sailor
ing if they were going to build ships to
go through the water on their sides
like o founder fish, and that he was
too young yet to have his hair turn
grey from fright.