The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-08
lRILIBUSVER LAvRAp!A's
. EXPEDITION
As Told Under Oath by One Of Her
- NTeWs .sngs.-.Nsa.rs,.,.
DRILLED BETWEEN DECKS.
The Entire Cargo Safely Landed at Banes
General Rafoff was Aboard.

Commissioner S Redmond Smith took
further testimony in the case OF tho Gov
eminent vs.. the steamship Laurada,
wherein the steamship is charged with
engaging In tho flllbustering trade con.
trary to tho neutrality laws of the United
States, The allegations were that on or
about February 26 Ct the present year the
Laurada loft Baltimore and went to q
point off Barnognt, and then with her
cargo OF M IN and arms went to Harbadoes
and after or &c days sailed, on or about
March 10, for Banes, on the coast Of Cuba,
whore she is alleged to have landed tho
men and arms and ammunition.
Edward Fl. Ray testified that he resides
in Baltimore and the Baker, Whitley
Company Of that city furnished 200 tons
Of coal to the Laurada. She lay there for
twoweeks. He had no knowledge, of any
unlawful attempt on the part Of the Laur-
ada.
Joseph f. Claridge testified that he is q
member Of the firm of Loud, Claridge u
Co., OF Baltimore. The total value Of
stores and provisions amounted to S57i,2 %,
which were furnished to the Laurada on
February26
jeremiah Hurley mot Officer Hurley
leposed he shipped on the Laurada on
February &c as sailor. He hired to go to
Philadelphia and then to go fruitiEg.
She took provisions off tow boat off
Barnegat. He heard the pilol ask the Off
cor why he was going to Wilmington to
get overhaulod.
He saw tug boat, two life boats and
two surf boats aboard. We steamed to
Barnogat from the Delaware Capes. We
sighted three masted schooner laying TO
with tow boat, We lowered one Of tho
life boats. When it came back 1t brought
back tho General.
hpo t,N1y hn cphHnnnN inGldh
Sandy Hook and came out tho next day:
Another lighter came out and 200 boxes OF
dynamite. 100 boxes of explosives, %. 0O9
stands of arms, 100000 cartridges, .
gatling guns and dynamite guns.
The Laurada steamed down and took the
schooner in tow to San Salvador, The
captain of the Lanrada told the schooner
not TO 80 closer than three miles to'the
shore. For eight days we watched for
steamer. On March 18th. the captain In
formed us he was going on u little expedl'
ton and asked all who wanted to go to
stand on one side. All agreed except
Mate Peterson. We wero part of two
nights discharging the cargo off the John
NJ Briggs. She had ali sorts OF alnmu-
milton, heavy guns, harness, swords, etc.
Tho mate and captain S wife went aboard
the schooner and left us. We steamed on
for the Bahamianbanks During the next
day tho CuDhnS pcBun W Fis tielhsSifu'
in yellow uniforms aud he saw them drill.
ing between the decks.
Tho men We're promised to get elOo each
for work. We stcarel straight Tor Cuba
and landed at Banes. -
We steamed up tho bay and saw row
boat coming toward us. We went up Q
creek and the officers who were aboard
took cutlasses and cut down the bushes.
We landed the cargo and left all the boats
there. After we discharged The cargo we
went to sea. All hands were put down
below aud off wo went. When we came
to Wilmington we lowered boat and
captain Hughes, captain O'Brien. three
Cubans and tho doctor were put ashore.
We sent boat ashore. We then loaded
two of the big life boats. We placed the
torpedos across the harbor. Two OF the
dynamite guns were on our quarter anu
lie heard Captain Hughes say we we're fol.
lowed by Spanish man o. war, he heard
the Cubans say we are going to lick the
Spanish. After the torpedncs were put
out was at the lead.
lie was paid off by n big gentleman
whom he heard was Mr. Hart. lie told
this story first to Pinkerton detective IN
Baltimore. He was told he would be paid
by the week, He has been paid regularly
by the detectives ,-
Other witnesses will be examined this
afternoon.