The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-11
A SUSPICIOUS CRAFT.
Laurada's Movements Indicate That
She Is a Filibuster.

New York, May 11.-A great deal OF
mystery surrounds the movements OF
the American steamship Laurada, which
came into port Saturday afternoon and
anchored off Liberty island. 1t was
generally believed that the Laurada had
heen chartered by the Cuban junta for
the purpose of conveying another ex-
pedltion to Cuba.
Events early Saturday evening more
than bore out this belief. Shortly after
the steamship came TO anchor the tug
c. =. Raymond of the Dalzelle line
Brought Captain Dickman, the Laur-
ada's commander. TO this city. 1t was
said that the captain was going to visit
his family in Brooklyn. BE 1t as II may.
it is known that shortly after his ar
rival in town, Captair./,ickman had a
conference with Captain O'Brien OF Ber-
muda fame. Soon thereafter Captain
O'Brien left the battery on tug, ac-
companied by Captain Hughes. who Is
also known as a leader Of filibustering
expeditions. The party was joined by
John ID. Hart, well-known Cuban SYM
pathizer, who was arrested in connec-
tion with the first Bermuda expedition.
When the Laurada came into port. 10
was observed that she was drawing lit
tie water and was. apparently.in ballast
The news OF her arrival was soon made
known to the Spanish consul general,
who hurried to the barge office, where
he is said to have held conference with
United States Marshal Mccarthy.
Meantime, it appears that the consul
general had communicated with his
subordnates, who kept close watch
on the leaders OF the Laurada. In some
way they learned that a lighter, the
name of which could not be ascertained,
had made fast at pier IL, East river.
The detectives took positions on pier
10, and watched the delivery OF many
boxes and cases on board the lighter
All this time tug was in waiting for
the detectives at pier 3, East river. At
the barge office, the revenue cutters
Hudson and Chandler were also under
steam.
After the lighter had received her
cargo, shortly before s o'clock, she
steamed up the river and took position
Off Corlear's Hook, where she anchored.
The tug containing the detectives fol-
lowed in her wake, and lay In the river
until the lighter, hugging the Brooklyn
shore, went down the river, passing
through Buttermilk channel.
AS the lighter was going by Governors
island, by way OF the channel, the tug
put back for pier 3. where, 1t Is said, the
detectives met Consul General Bal
desno and Marshal Mccarthy. They
were evidently instructed to continue
their pursuit of the lighter. as the tug
steamed across the river through But
termilk channel to Atlantic basin, where
the lighter was found warped TO q dock.
Her cargo had been removed. all lights
were out and there were no signs Of life
on board.
The tug then proceeded over to where
the Laurada lay. and dropped anchor to
the south OF Bedloes island. Smoke was
pouring from the tunnels of the steam
ship, and there was much hustle and ac-
tivity on deck. Half an hour later the
Laurada steamed down the bay, and be-
fore $3.50 o'clock she had passed qaaran-
tine.
Captain Harry de Nyse of the Dalzell,
which conveyed several men from the
Laurada to this city. said that he saw no
evidence of filibustering on the Laurada,
and doubted that sac was intended for
that purpose, as he understood she had
been chartered as a coasting freighter.
He believed that she was returning to
Philadelphia, under whose command he
would not say.
There is belief that the Laurada out
witted the Spanish consul general and
Marshal Mccarthy.