The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-01
BERMUDA RETURNS.
The Famous Filibustering Ship Discovers
Herself In the Delaware River Loaded
with Bananas and Dollars.

Philadelphia, May 31.--All conjecture
regarding the whereabouts Of the now
famous filibustering steamer Bermuda
were set at rest today when she
steamed up the Delaware and made
.ast to her pier. She came from Puer-
to CorteZ. Honduras, and instead Of
arms and ammunition her cargo con-
sisted of S,4O0 punches of bananas and
5000 silver dollars. The silver was
taken out to buy fruit but strike
among the fruit cutters, coupled with
the belief that the vessel was not bound
on a legitimate voyage, made 1t impos-
sible to secure full cargo. The at
tempt to land her outward cargo and
passengers on Cuban soil was a fat
failure, and the escape of the vessel
from destruction by Spanish shells was
little short OF providsntial
The Bermuda sailed from Philadel-
phia on April 23 In command of Cap
tain O'Brien for Jacksonville. She
sailed from the latter port on April 26
in commend of Captain Riley, VINO sue
ceeded O'Brien The expedition was
made up of ninety-six men from Key
West, Tampa and Philadelphia, In
command OF General Leidal Vidal. a
soldier of the former revolution and a
native Of Santiago De Cuba. The car
go consisted of two iatling guns, 1000
rifles, half million rounds'of ammuni-
ton and 1000 pounds of dynamite.
CHASED BY GUNBoATS. .
An attempt was made under General
Vtdal's order to land on the night of
May at Il point on the coast oS Cuba
ten miles east of Cardenas. A Spanish
gurboat was seen early In the evening,
but II was thought she did not notice the
bermuda. and eight boats with 40 men
We're the water, about one and ona-half
miles from the coast, when a search
light from the approaching cruiser was
flashed over the entire party. All hands
were instantly in a state of hopeless de-
moralization. and desperate attempt to
get back to the steamer was made.
Only a few, however. reache d the Ber-
muda, which started at once ut full
speed.
She had only run about eight miles
when second gunboat started in pur-
suit, which was kept up until daylight
There were repeated flashes and roars
from the guns on the Spanish war ship
Solid shot and bursting shell fell thick
and fast, until the distance between the
vessels Increased. the Bermuda being
forced to her utmost speed, and when
day daWned the gunboat could not be
seen. Two days later the steamer ar
rived at Truxillo. Honduras. the bal
ance Of the war material having been
thrown overheard during the race.
FIVE ARE DROWNED.
Five Of the party were drowned In
attempting to make the landing
among them being Nicolo Cardenas, a
brother Of Colonel Cardenas. an in.
surgent chief. The fate Of the Others
is not known, but II is believed that the
greater number were caught on the
coast and probably shot by the Spani-
ards. At least thirty-two of the party
are missing.
The other passengers were landed on
the coast Of Honduras, between Trux-
lilo and Puerto Cortez. and afterwards
! reached Mobile. The fate of DR.. Emile
Cabada Is unknown, but he Is believed
to have been among the lost. 1t is
said there Is now little doubt but that
the intended landing place OF the Ber-
muda was known to the Spanish otilic-
ials In New York before she left Jack
sonville.