The herald., 1898-04-26
DISPATCH BOAT DANGER
NOT CONFINED TO ATTACK By
!ANIARDs
DAUNTLEss CORRESPONDENTS
Find It Not Conducive to Good Health
to Cross the Six Mile Limit
Off Cuba
Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT DAUNTLESS, MA
TANZAS, Island of Cuba, via Key West,
April 25, 1880 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
sontheastward. A large fire on shore was
exciting comment on board the dispatch
boat, and wonder was felt as to where the
United States blockading fleet was to be
found. Suddenly lookout on board the
dispatch boat reported: Torpedo boat
astern, coming up fast" A moment or so
later, by her lights, the red and green, the
torpedo boat Dupont was made out. The
rocket she sent up was answered by the
glare from the search lights on board the
Dupont. The dispatch boat of the Asso-
ciated Press had come unawares within
three miles of Cuban shores and far inside
the prescribed limits.
What followed was short, sharp and war;
like. The Dupont ran up to the dispatch
boat and hailed her, what boat is that?"
Before answering the hail. it was under
stood that there came an order from the
megaphone saying: Keep out of this;
keep outside the six-mile line or you will
get a shot through you.''
After further colloquy, much more
friendly in tenor, as the Dupont learned
our peaceful mission, we were directed to
proceed slowly towards the Cincinnati,
and We were also advised to use caution
as otherwise trouble would befall us.
The Dauntless proceeded slowly, but 1t
seems not slowly enough, and the flare 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, "Heave to, Daunt-
less" Then came the order, Back her,
back her. or you will get shot through
you.' She was backed. Then the Du-
pont slowed up. quietly reporting to the
Cincinnati This is the boat we sighted
in close to shore" A voice from the Gin
a boat aboard of her.
All this time the glare of the cruisers
searchlights on the Dauntless was almost
intolerable. Soon afterwards a boat from
the Cincinnati pulled by six oars, Ensign
Mcintyre in the stern, came alongside
The first order was: "Your papers and
log, please"
These were produced and were found
to be satisfactory. Then, sure of cordial
relations being assumed, we found we
had transgressed far within the limits set
for vessels and had had a 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
Key West. Ensign Mcintyre said he would
transmit the request to the Cincinnati Be
fore leaving the Dauntless the Ensign
made the following entry in the Dauntless'
log book: "At l clock boarded by Naval
Cadet Mcintyre, of the United States ship
Cincinnati, and the captain was informed
that they were not to enter any CUBAN
port under penalty of being fired upon
The boat must first report to the outside
squadron and obtain permission before
any port
The Cincinnati was also informed that
the Dauntless would cheerfully take back
any mail. In few minutes boat re-
turned with this message: Captain Ches-
ter'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. Before
we had gone six miles we saw a torpedo
boat astern, evidently keeping an eye on
us. Then we saw the Cincinnati's search
lights sweep the horizon and soon after
wards we heard four shots in quick sue
cession. AS they were not followed by
others, we presumed some other boat had
been overhauled. Certainly there was no
bombardment of Mantanzas commenced at
night. The Dauntless made a great run
the north gale having abated and the water
being smooth in the straits. She arrived
off Sand Key Light at 7:OS o'clock this
morning.
Off Matanzas
ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT DAUNTLESS, MAT
Island of Cuba, via Key West,
Fla, April %, 7:42 a.m.-The United States
torpedo boat Foote, Lieutenant W. l.. Rog-
ers commanding, has the honor of being
the target for the first shots fired by the
Spaniards at the American flag during the
war just begun. The firing occurred be-
tween five and six o'clock on Saturday
afternoon while the torpedo boat was tax
ing soundings in the harbor of Matanzas