The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-04
ANOTHER NAVAL HERO
GALLANT CONDUCT OF BOATsWAIN
NEVIS, OF THE BANCROFT.
Accompanied by One Man, and Armed
ish BOats-ImpOrtant Information.

KEY WEST, Fla. Aug. 8, GAS p MAN.
other Jackie has achieved the reputation
of a hero. He is Boatswain Mat Nevis, of
the gunboat Bancroft. One day late last
week the Bancroft, accompanied by the con-
verted yacht Eagle, which had been cover
ing the blockading station around the Isle
of Pines. sighted small Spanish schooner
in Sugunea bay The Bancroft's steam
launch, in charge of Nevis and one other
seaman. each armed with a rifle. was sent
in to take the schooner. This was only the
task of minutes and the pretty launch re-
turned with her prize, which proved to be
the schooner Mite, little more than a smack
and with no cargo. Her captain was an
American and with him were his Cuban wife
and seven children, all vowing loyalty to
the Cuban cause. They pleaded poverty and
that the Mite was their only means of live
lihood Commander Glover, of the Bancroft,
promised to return her at the proper time.
Meanwhile he sent Nevis in with her to
anchor near the wreck of the Spanish trans
atlantic liner Santo Domingo, sunk by the
Eagle a few weeks ago. Then the Bancroft
and Eagle cruised off to Maugle point,
where they happened to be in communica-
ton with the insurgent camp. Two hours
later they returned Nothing could be seen
of the launch nor the prize.
Suddenly Commander Clover, who was
scanning the water with his glass, shouted
to Captain Sutherland, of the Eagle: "By
heavens they have recaptured my prize.
The little schooner lay near the wrecked
steamer, but the Spanish flag was flying
from her mast, and instead of only Nevis
and his companion, she was apparently
filled with men. Meanwhile, the gunboat
Maple had drawn up and Commander Glow
er sent her to the rescue. With guns ready
she steamed towards the schooner, but the
sight that greeted the Naples crew was
not what was expected. Nevis and his COM
panion sat at one end of the boat attempt
ing to navigate her out of the harbor. Each
had his rifle across his knees and was keep
ing wary eye on a party of half dozen
covering Spaniards huddled in the other
end of the boat The Maple asked for in
formation and offered Nevis a tow, but he
replied with joke and declined the prof
fered assistance Then it developed that
in going in to anchor he had observed two
small Spanish boats near the wreck of the
Santo Domingo and resolved to capture
them also. He knew that it was a haZar-
dous work, but bluff carried him through.
He took the Spanish colors Of the schooner,
ran THEM up anu DOlOIy Sdll6C III. Inero
were six men on the other boats and they
watched the approach of their supposed
compatriots with calmness that speedily
changed to CONSERVATION when Nevis and
the other jackie suddenly shipped their rifles
to their shoulders and demanded an imme-
date surrender. The scared Spanish sea-
men lost no time in complying. and had the
unique experience of surrendering to their
own flag. Then scorning all assistance, Ne
Wis took them out to his ship, and in the
most matter of fact manner reported his adj
venture to his astonished commander.
The capture was no mean one, for these
men gave important information to the
American ship They were residents of the
little town of Cortes province of Pinar del
Rio, situated about two miles from the
Santa Domingo wreck. what is called
Pirates lagoon, because in ancient days
it was favorite resort of the brethren
of Captain Kidd. The town has a popula-
ton of 1900 and the only reason for it's
existence is that it serves as a depot for
the Vuelta Abajaco tobacco district and
contains a number of large tobacco ware
houess. The Bancroft and Eagle would have
taken the town, which is defended only by
a hundred soldiers. but they could not
spare permanent force to protect the nom
combatant women and children.