Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-01
FLAGSHIP NEW YORK SHELLS RAT.
TERTES AT FORT CABANAs.
TEN SHOTS DID THE WORK
AS AT MATANZAs, THE sPANIARDs
BEGAN THE FIRING.
The New York Ran Up Within Half 4
Mile of the Forts and Two Tor
pedO Boats Went Still Closer
Blockade Is I'm
changed.

Key West, Fla, April s0.-Yesterday aft
ernoon the flagship New York. with eight
well-directed shells from the six-inch gun
on her port bow and two from one of the
eight inch guns in her forward turret.
completely silenced and rendered useless
for both men or guns, two Spanish forts at
Port Cabanas, twelve miles west of Mariel
and twenty-five miles from Havana. AS IN
the case of Matanzas. the first shot was
fired by Spaniard.
About noon the New York steamed up
the west coast. Following the flagship Tor
quite a distance came the Iowa. Indiana.
Helena, and torpedo boats Porter and
Ericsson. But after Havana was passed.
where the Helena went in so close that
crash gun from Moro was momentarily
expected, the ships, with the exception OF
the torpedo boats, soon returned to their
station.
Under a full head of steam. the flagship
bowled along until Mariel was reached. 1t
was easy, from aboard the dispatch boat
without glasses, to see the commotlon
raised by the presence Of the warships in
the pretty little village. The people rusheo
wildly about and small boats quickly put
in shore. But there was no apparent lie
in either of the forts on two hills that cover
the approaches to the harbor.
The Porter steamed within half a mile OF
them. and the New York swung leisurely
at anchor at mile range.
After Admiral Sampson had surveyed
Mariel to his apparent satisfaction, he sent
the flagship clipping merriy further up the
coast.
Again the flagship rode unconcernedly
half mile from the forts. and the Porter
and the Ericsson pushed their way ahead.
Suddenly there was a roar Of heavy gun,
a puff of smoke from the shore, and the
little torpedo boats came scurrying oack
under the lee of the flagship.
The officers and men disappeared from
the decks of the New York like magic,
and in less time than it takes to tell IT,
one six-inch gun from her bow belched
forth.
The evening was fading fast. Quick, good
work was necessary. Another shot from
the flagship, one more from the shore, ana
the forts guns were silenced. Ihree SIX
inch shells had sufficed. Five more SHOTS
nut a quietus on the fortificauons Inc
first shot was fired at 500. At 900 the
New York let go two six-inch shelis, one
at each fortifcation. to complete the 'op'
There was no answer from the shore.
Ten minutes later the flagship let so two
of her eight-inch turret guns. and the
shrieking shells left q trail of fire easily
seen in the dark shadows of the evening"
At this time the shore was hardly visible,
and the New York put back to her sta
ton. -,
On Board the Flagship New York, April
q. Ii a. M, via Key West, Fla. April 90
Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Press)
The blockade continues as before The
flagship lies to the westward of Havana.
The torpedo boat Porter. while close into
shore last night. reports having been fired
upon by the Cojimar battery. which is
TO the eastward of Moro castle. The Por-
ter escaped unscathed.
The coast of Cuba is being carefully pa
trolled by the Spanish cavalry.
Captain Taylor. of the Indiana, came on
board the flagship to-day and had long
consultation with Rear Admiral Sampson
News of the movements Of the United
States army is eagerly awaited by the
feet. and there is much speculation as to
when the troops will be ready.
The weather, which is cool and calm.
could not be more suitable for military
operations.
While the Dauntless, the dispatch boat
of the Associated Press, was making her
way from Key West early this morning.
she was sighted by the flagship. The look
outs on the New York were unable to make
out her identity, owing TO the mist and the
distance, which separated her from the
FLAG mn hp1
in her direction. IL was not aimed at the
Dauntless. but was only sent near enough
to make her heave to. The Dauntless,
thinking she was being fired at by Span
fish boat, promptly put about and steamed
away Then she was recognized and few
minutes later the recognition became mu-
tual and the Dauntless ran alongside the
New York. Later she proceeded TO Matan-
Zss.
Learning that mines and earthworks
were being placed and built at Mariel in
the province of Pinar del Rio, not far
from Havana, the flagship then moved in
that direction, accompanied by three tor
pedo boats. but there were no signs of
movement at Mariei and the flagship pro-
b. ceeded to a point twenty-five miles west of
Havana and about ten miles beyond
Mariel. There suspicious movements were
observed ashore. probably by workmen on
the fortifications. Consequently the flag
ship fired three shots in that direction
from one of her big guns. The firing. how
ever. brought no response, and the flag
ship returned TO her station.
a strict watch against Il possible tor
redo attack is being kept on board the
flagship All the available officers take
deck watches al night. including the chap
lain. paymasters clerk and the assistan,
surgeon.
The small craft captured by the Viii.
mington yesterday was only taken to Key
West because her crew were members OF
the second Spanish naval reserve. 1t was
thought also, that they might be members