New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-19
SPANISH GUNBOAT SUNK.
CLOWN UP BY A REBEL TORPEDO IN THE
CAUTO RIVER.
SHE WAS GOING TO THE DEFENCE OF FORT
attacked BY THE INSURGENTS -NEARLY
EVERY SURVIVOR OF THE CREW
WOUNDED BY REBELS on
THE BANKS

THE BANhs
havana. Jan. 1S-Though the insurgents have
m navy they 10 not hesitate when the oppor-
.rnitv offers to attack the Spanish warships.
The latest instance Of this kind occurred yes
,erdav morning. when Spanish sunboat was
sunk by means OF torpedo. and many OF her
crew killed A detachment of rebels had made
on attack upon the fort at Guamo, some dis-
lance up the Cauto River province Of Santiago
de cuba and the Spanish troops. fearing that
they would not be able to hold out. asked for
assistance from Manzanillo. on the coast on
saturday night the gunboats Centinela and
Relampago left Manzanllo under orders TO as
cend the river and protect the fort.
rha commander Of the gunbOats used all pos
e,hle speed in running up the coast to the
mouth OF the river but when they began TO
ascend the stream they proceeded very eau
,jously. suspectng that the rebels might have
nlanted torpedoes in the channel. All went
we'll until the gunboats were opposite a place
called Mango when. despite all the precautions
that had been taken. the Relampago struck
torpedo. Instantly there was a terrific explo-
sion and masses of water were hurled 10 a
great height The hull of the Reampago was
torn open and she at once began to sink.
There was no time TO lower boat and al
most before the extent Of the disaster could he
realized the vessel went down. Those on board
o. her who were not injured jumped into the
water and made their way best they could
n the direction OF the Centinela. aboard OF
which the greatest excitement prevailed. AS
soon as il was seen that the Relampago was
sinking the Centinelas boats were ordered away
10 assist in the rescue Of the crew of the former.
The rebels appeared To be in strong force
along the banks Of the river. and. when they
saw the Spanards in the water they directed
a heavy rife fire upon them. The Centlnela
opened fire upon the rebels. but, as they could
not be seen. and their positions could only he
discovered by the smoke from their guns. II il
not believed that any serious losses were IN
ficted upon them.
When the Centinela's boats attempted to
rebels fired upon them, but the Spaniards
hravely persisted in their work OF rescue until
all the men had been taken from the water
Nearly every survivor Of the Relampagos crew
was wounded. and there were only few or the
men belonging 10 the Centinea who had not
been hit by a rebel bullet The commander OF
The Ceniinea was so seriously wounded that
doubts are entertained OF his recovery.
The condition Of the survivors was such that
I: was impossible for the Centinela To proceed 10
Ciuamo and she therefore returned to Man
Zanillo where the news OF the disaster caused
intense excitement
The official report Of the affair states that the
commander second engineer and three sailors
Of the Relampago were killed and her boat
four sailors wounded. The boatswain of the
Centnela was killed. and her pilot. second en-
cineer. gunner and six sailors were wounded.
Both gunhoats were small vessels. intended
principally for river service. and they did not
carry large crews.