The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-02
ON A PRESS DISPATCH BOAT.
Experiences of News Gatherers in the
BIOckaded Waters Of Cube.

Staff Correspondence Of the Associated Press.
ON BOARD THE DISPATCH BOAT
DAUNTLESS, Midway between Havan
and Key West, Fla, April 2S.-News gather
ing at sea has it's attractions, but it also
has it drawbacks. Incident after incident
could be written, describing how, out Of
semi-darkness rushed a long black torpedo
boat, and the hoarse order to heave to was
followed on the instant by the threat of a
shot. Then there have been times when all
steam was called for because we were in
grave doubt whether ar approaching
stranger was American or Spanish, and in
no doubt at all as to what our fate would
be should the unknown vessel prove to be a
Spanish gunboat, for the Spaniards would
rather gather in the Dauntless than almost
any other craft that sails the seas.
OFF Matanzas the other night a man-of-
wars-man assured some of the crew of the
Dauntless that two gunboats had escaped
the blockade at Cardenas and were cruis-
ing outside, seeking to capture any unarmed
craft carrying the United States colors.
Probably the yarn was false, but it's effect
on the crew was far from reassuring and
it was a positive comfort, the next night off
Havana, to be hailed by the Indiana, Or
dered to heave to and boarded by an officer
who evidently wanted to be well assured Of
our identity. The big battle ship gave a
sense of absolute security and now none Of
the crew believes any Spaniard brave
enough to come within a score of miles of
this and similar instruments of protection
and offense. AT sea-, and visiting them day
after day, the personality of war ships
grows on you and your regard is totally
different from that which you feel toward
the so XpCCnlC when fhnIr ora ~ n A-o
harbor or peacefully cruising up and down
a friendly coast. If they seem grimmer,
they certainly seem greater for defense, for
If any person have the idea that the
ships OF the blockading squadron off Havana
remain punched together opposite Ell Moro
change their notion. Last night the dis
lance between the Wilmington, the eastern
nank' ana the Iowa, on the western, could
could not have been less than thirty miles.
Lookouts in the lofty tops with long teles
scope glasses, can sweep the coast line and
the sea for many miles, and catch sight of
the smallest coasting vessels within sig
mailing distance. Thus, the longer the block
ade line, the more effective it is. Results in
the way of captures have proven the truth
OF this. NonetheleSs true, it is. however,
that Rear Admiral Sampson could use to
great advantage a'number Of small vessels.
They would render the blockade absolute
and at the same time relieve the crews Of
the bigger, ships from constant calls to
quarters. These calls are harassing and as
only one out OK ten probably amounts to
anything, are apt to prove irritating as
well.
Newspaper boats give the fleet much
trouble at night. 1t is unintentionaI. Of
course, but true for all that. All the war
vessels are as dark as pitch at night, and
the correspondents boats run directly with
in prescribed limits of approach before thew
have the faintest notion Of the proximity
of a cruiser or battle ship. The moon, which
is nightly waxing in power, will help great
ly in quick Identification, but the Daunt-
less recently succeeded in getting a night
order for signals, which will be better still.
Sitting in the Dauntless's pilot house re-
Gently, off FL MORO, with a pair of marine
glasses that brought the saffron bastions
within a half mile. it was impossible to keep
from speculation on the condition of things
within the city, where for two months many
of US lived on patience and the hope of a
bombardment, which 1t now seems is not
to occur. We knew as We'll as if ve were
eyewitnesses that famine is within: it is
whom must be dead by this time: but en-
braces the lady of quality and her Iiege
lord, the professional man ard his family
the small storekeeper and his brood. the
artisan and his helpmeet. Probably. as
yet, the Spanish officer and the wealthy
contractor have food enough. or the where
withal to buy it. even with beef at 81. so
per pound the last quotation reaching us1
Beyond question a large majority OF the
Havanese would welcome the bombar drnenf
they daily expect, If assured that when N
was over and the city III the hands OF the
United States forces. food conditions would
and the awful uncertainty as fo
resolved into certainty in the crucible OF
When night came we could see the reaec- |
ton IN the city o. tbs lights III Paruue