The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-12
ARROGANT SPAN|ARDS.
An American Vessel Fired Upon by
Nicaraguan GunbOat.
Rumor That Consul Alger
Has Been Shot.
Steamer Rover Narrowly Escaped Being Sunk
at Port Cortez.

New Orleans May 12-The steamer
Rover plying between this port and the
ports OF Spanish Honduras, was fired on
by a Nicaraguan man-of-war May g.
while four miles from Port Cortes. and
narrowly escaped being hit amidship.
The Rover, which came in last night,
also brought the information that it
was rumored in Omoa and other govern
ment points that the American consul
at Port Cortez, Mr.. Alger, had been shot.
but the particulars were not obtained.
The fact that his flags were not flying
when the Rover left the port is taken
as an indication that 1t Is really so. and
that possibly Port Cortez has passed
into the hands Of the government, al
though Ii is also said that the revolution
lists at that place are principally Amer
leans and Englishmen. well armed and
vastly superior to the forces of the Hon
duran government.
News was received in this city several
days ago that the tugboat Lucy b, con-
vcrted into gunboat by the Nicaraguan
Authorities, had left Bluefields under the
command Of General Reyes. armed with
two unmounted cannon, and manned
pressed into service by taking them from
the plantations on the Rama river.
Reyes left for Port Cortez with the
avowed intention, II is said. Of assist
ing the government Of Spanish Hon
duras In the task Of recapturing Port
Cortex. operating In conjunction with
the Honduran forces, which were
supposed to " advancing upon the port
frem the direction Of Omoa. IL was
the Lucy B that fred upon the steamer
Rsver. and without provocation. while
the Rover had the American nag n.y.
Ing at the masthead. .m U.s..
The story of the remarkable audacity
Of Reyes In defying the American gov
ernment and attempting to assert the
supremacy of the Eicaraguan govern
inent upon the high seas. all opposition
to the contrary. Is az follows:
She left New Orleans April 2S for Port
Cortex. arriving at the latter port on the
morning OF Mays.
Captain Reed observed when a few
miles from the anchorage that the flags
of the American consulate were not fiy-
ing, and that there seemed to be some
thing amiss In the town. and decided
not to anchor his ship. but instead re-
mained OF shore waiting to be boarded
by the custom officials.
After waiting for some time and no
one putting In an appearance. and not!c-
ing that the town seemed to be In a state
OF agitation, Captain Reed concluded It
was not safe for him to remain i'm the
port, and headed his ship for Omoa
When the Rover was about four miles
distant from Port Cortez the tugboat
Lucy b was observed heading for the
steamer. 1855 ra
When the two vessels were about a
half mile apart, to the establishment and
dismay of the American captain and his
crew, q puff of smoke was observed to
clear the sides Of the Nicaraguan ves-
sci, and the next moment there followed
q report and solid shot struck the water
a few hundred yards ahead Of the Rover.
The engines Of the Rover were stopped
at once, and then followed another shot
from the Lucy B, which dropped into
the sea about 80 feet from the side of the
American ship, i'm direct line with her
amidships.
The Lucy B was by this time within
hailing distance. and an officer in uni
form ordered the Rover to come to
anchor. She was then boarded by this
officer and six Of his followers. The
officer proved to be General j. B. Reyes
Of the Nicaraguan government, and he
demanded to see the Rover's papers.
which were given him. He then searched
the vessel and apparently finding every
thing to his satisfaction gave Captain
Reed a permit to load fruit at coast
ports.
Captain Reed protested earnestly to
Reyes against the firing upon the Rover
when she carried the American flag at
her masthead, and was told by the gen
eral that he ought to consider himself
lucky that he CReyes) did not sink the
Rover, and that Captain Reed could pro-
test as much as he liked II made no diff
ference to him, as the American consul,
Alger. was the head Of the revolution at
Port Cortez. The Rover then proceeded
on her way.