Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-25
INSIDE THE LIN ES
Press Boat Dauntless Had Exciting
Experience Last Night.
NEAR BEING SUNK BY CINCINNATI
First Discovered by the Torpedo
Boat Dupont.
SOME STRON .ADVICE

Copyright 1893, by Associated Press)
ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOATDAUNTLESS .Matanzas
Cuba. via Key West, Fla April -, 20 a. m.
Between . and 10 O'Clock last night the
Associated Press dispatch boat Dauntless
was steaming quietly toward MatanzaS,
whose lights were reflected on the sky a
few miles southwestward a large fire on
shore was exciting comment on board the
dispatch boat, and wonder was rife as to
where the United States blockading fleet
was to be found. Suddenly a lookout on
board the dispatch boat reported: Torpedo
boat astern. Coming up fast
A moment or so later by her lights, two
red and one green, and by rocket which
she sent up the torpedo boat Dupont was
made out. The rocket was answered by
the glare from two search lights on board
the cruiser Cincinnati, the beams being
thrown full on the Dauntless and on the
Dupont. The dispatch boat of the As
sociated Press had come, unawares, within
three miles of the Cuban shore, and far in
side the prescribed limits.
1t Was Real War.
What followed was short, sharp and war
like.
The Dupont ran up to the dispatch boat
and hailed her. What boat is THAR
Before answering the hail an order came
from the megaphone. saying, Keep out of
this. Keep outside the siX-mile line, or
you will get shot through YOU
After further colloquy, much more friend
ly in tenor. as the Dupont learned our
peaceful mission. we were directed to pro-
coed slowly toward the Cincinnati, and we
We're also advised to use caution, as other
wise, 1t was added, trouble would befall u.s.
The Dauntless proceeded slowly, but it
seems not slow enough, and the glare of
the cruisers searchlights fell on Captain
Floyd. The first intimation that we were
In too close proximity to the warship was
contained in the report of a six-pounder.
Then came quick hail: "Heaye to. Daunt-
less!'
Threatened With a Shot.
Then came the order: Back her, back
her. or you will get shot through YOU"
She was backed.
Then the Dupont stole up, quietly report
ing to the Cincinnati.
This is the boat we sighted in Shore"
A voice from the Cincinnati replied,
Very good. We will send a boat on board
OF her"
All this time the glare of the cruisers
searchlights on the Dauntless was almost
intolerable.
Soon afterward a boat from the C.ncin-
natl, pulled by six oars with Ensign McIn-
tyre in the stern sheets, came alongside.
The first order was: ~ our papers and log
please
These were produced and were found to
be satisfactory. Then, sure of cordial re-
lations being assumed, We found we had
transgressed far within the limits set for
vessels, and had had close shave of being
fired on with shot.
we exchanged news, and the Cincinnati
having ordered the Dauntless to lay to.
permission was requested to return to Kew
West. Ensign Mcintyre said he would
transmit the request to the Cincinnati Be
fore leaving the Dauntless the cadet made
the following entry in the log Of the dis
patch boat: 'At o'clock boarded by Naval
Cadet f. W. Mcintyre of U. S. S. Cincin-
natl and captain was informed that they
were not to enter any Cuban port, under
penalty of being fired upon. Boat must
first report to outside squadron and obtain
permission before entering any port"
Took Cincinnntfs Mail.
The Cincinnati was also Informed that
the Dauntless would cheerfully take back
any mail. In ten minutes boat returned
with this message: Captain Chester's
compliments, and he will be obliged If you
will take in this mail. You can go. Advise
that you steam due west six miles when
you make your first course, or you may get
into more trouble"
The instructions were obeyed literally,
and the Dauntless set off on her return.
Before she had gone six miles We saw a
torpedo boat astern, evidently keeping an
eye on us. Then we saw the Cincinnatis
searchlights sweep the horizon, and soon
afterward We heard four shots in quick
succession. AS they were not followed by
others, We presumed that some other beat
had been overhauled. Certainly there was
no bombardment of Matanzas commenced
at night. The Dauntless made a good run