The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-30

NOR. On tho other hand. the Huasear's
shot went through the wooden cruisers as
tbcach they had bePn paper, converting
tbs.a into regular slaughter houses. In
vain did tho brave Pratt try to ram the
steel monster until, driven to desperation,
with drawn sword, at tho head of a board
ing crow he jumped aboard the Huascar
md fell at the gangway pierced through
tho brain by a ri3enaD in the rigging.
Seeing that the battle was lost, the Els
merelda escaped under the guns of shore
batteries, but in trying to follow her q
shot from the Huascar penetrated to the
magazine, and tho Ind~ependencia blew up,
with all on board.
Rcuairing bis slight damages. Admiral
Grau turned south along the Chilean coast
ard began that cruise which, 4 few months
later, Terminated in tho most terrific naval
conflict of modern times. Bon harding
cities, sinking the wooden vessels Of Child
and destroying commerce, he swept every
thing before him until the name Of the
Huascar became the synonym of terror.
At this time tho adInirei had an expert
enco with q torpedo W. b permanently
prejudiced him against that engine Of war
fare. Seeing q Chilean vessel one day, be
decided to blow her up. Tie torpedo vas
fred. proceeded about half way TO the
mark, then turned and made q direct line
for tho Huascar, which was only saved by
a seaman jumping overheard and catch
ing it. Lowering bis stock of torpedoes
into a boat. 0 had them roTed ashore n
buried in t. cemetery of the village, and
from that day refused TO let enc come on
his ship.
Eat the glorious career Of bra 70 old Grau
was near its end. Chile, thoroughly
aroused by the depredations of the Huas-
car, fitted out a powerful squadron, which
was sent out to hunt her down. Suspect
ing tho whereabouts of the Huascar, the
Chilean squadron took up a favorable po-
sitjon and waited off the port Of Autofa-
gasta.
The lrst day of October dawned bright
and beautiful and witnessed the HEascar
Jogging leisuroly up tho coast under an
easy head of steam. At 8 O'Clock in the aft
ernoon, whilo Grau YVES smoking bis pipe
on the quarter dack and enjoying the soft
spring air. the lookout In the forotop de-
serted smoke on the horizon and gavo the
alarm. A little later tho Coch7ane, the
C~avadaHga and the Bianco hoye in sight
to tho south, while almost at tho same mo
mont the D'Higgins, the Loa and tho
Causina appeared on the north. Grau was
caught in a<trap. But ho was a man OF
resources and resolution, and his decision
was soon mado. Heading bis ship to the
eastward. b stesred toward africa under
q full head of steam. Changing their
course also. tho two Chilean ~squadrons
paralleled bis course. The Huascar was
now fairly trembling as she bounded for
ward under forced draft. but the black
clouds of sinekefrom the pursucrs showed
Tint they wero straining every nerve to
oycrtabe the enemy. AS the afternoon
woro on the 0'Higgins forged ahead, fol-
lowed closely by the C~cchrane, and it was
apparent that they wero gaining. At
nightfali tho Huascar was of africa. and
tho Cochranc was scarcely three mics
away. The only houo Loft was to round
Point Augornos and escape down the coast,
md consequently tho Huascar poured oil
On her fires and PIT on every pound Of
stea,a that she could bear. But still TIC
Cocbrnno ana the O'Higgips drew stead
III neafor. The point was now IN sight