The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-26
NAVAL BATTLE FOUGHT
Big Victory OF the Daring Filibus-
ter Three Friends.
TACKLED by A SPANISH GUNBOAT.

She Whips Her with Single Twelve
Founder, After First Driving or Forty
Foot Coaster-Lands Her Men and Arms
at Heretofore Impossible Point and.
Later Outruns Two Spanish Cruisers-
spaniards Whipped in Fierce Land
Engagement.
New York, Dec. 26.-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 upon the
seas. The shrapnel, shell and rifle vol
leys of a brave filibuster have made
answer to the roar OF Spanish twelve
Founders, and have gained for Cuba
libre the first victory on the ocean. The
flibustering steamer Three Friends
sailed from Fernandina, Fla, Sunday
night, Dec. 1S, carrying a valuable car
go of munitions of war for the Cuban
insurgents, eluding the vigilance of
United States warships 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. Sur
prised, trapped, and fired upon, she
threw shot into Spanish naval coaster,
frightened off a big gunboat, and es-
capped from a swift cruiser steering out
to sea.
Had to Land mt Bad Place.
This is the story: The Three Friends
had sealed orders not to be opened un-
til near Cuba. When opened it was
found that she had to land her arms
at point heretofore considered inn
possible on account of the close watch
kept by the Spaniards. The orders
were opened last Friday, and caused
sensation. A consultation was held i'm
mediately in the cabin attended by Cap
tain John OBrien. Navigation Captain
Lewis; Major Perez Morales. COM
mander of the land expedition, and
Lieutenant Colonel Calzo, a sea COM
mander of the same. Major Arnas was
also called in.
Wen land at the San Juan If we
have to sail through hell to do it," said
Captain Lewis. Keep good head on.
but don't waste any coal" was the word
sent down to Chief Engineer Dunn.
Inc SotsttF Is DiStoNtTtus
When night fell we were thirty miles
from land. following an eastern line.
Saturday morning was clear and beau-
tiful. The vessel was placed under a
small head of steam and went easily
in a calm sea. The Three Friends was
several hours in making her way to
the proper place to effect a landing.
When all was in readiness the coast
seemed entirely clear. When the fill
buster was within 400 yards of shore
the engineer discovered a moving OBJ
ject in the dtrkness under the lee, and
informed Captain Lewis that he saw
coaster. Without further ado the fill
buster turned swiftly to starboard and
pointed for the open sea. Captain
OBrien, after allowing his ship TO
scamper 800 or 400 yards, hove to, then
backed toward the mouth of the San
Juan. In a minute more the black
shape of a forty-foot coaster was seen
darting out in our direction. Away
steamed the filibuster, and behind,
emerging from the shadow along the
shore, came the coaster.
Spaniard Fires the First Gun.
For a few minutes the exciting race
continued and then came q flash of
light from the Spaniard. A second
later came the crack of two-pounder
and then there was the hiss of a shell
a few rods to the starboard. Word was
passed on the filibuster that all must
fight A few men broke open the rifle
and cartridge boxes, and soon the en-
tire party was armed. Sharpshooter
German gathered his rifiemen along the
stern rail upon the upper deck. Major
Morales was in charge.