The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-10


against a Spanish torpedo boat destroy
er, probably the Furor or Pluton. The
character of the enemy was not defin-
itely known until the next day, when
the torpedo boat Porter found two load
ed torpedoes floating of shore. Neither
OF them had been discharged. One sank,
but the other was hauled on board the
Porter. 1t exactly fitted the descrip-
tion Of the torpedoes carried by the
Pluton and Furor. 1t is believed the
torpedo boat destroyer escaped. She
was seen by the New Orleans when too
far to do any damage, and the heavy
fire must have driven her back.
The daring attempt of the Spaniards,
which was fortunately frustrated by the
vigilance of the New Orleans lookout.
is the first instance of its kind since
the beginning of the war. AS seen from
the flagship the scene was brilliantly
dramatic. The New York was living
several miles to the east of MORO Cas-
tie. The New Orleans was on her star
poard hand, close in shore. ready to
Tounce upon any craft which might
attempt to steam out under the shad-
on of the hills. Shortly after 10 O'clock
the New Orleans flashed her private
signaf II was answered by the flag
ship. and i'm a few minutes coiored lights
sIrang UP In the darkness from the
New Orleans deck. They signalled that
the enemy was in sight. little later
she burned another coIorsd light. This
meant that a hostile torpedo boat was
approaching. although later Captain
Foiger OF the New Orleans was not GER
stantiy the semicircle of bIockading
ships flashed night signals. For six
or seven miles, east and west of the
narbor. they twinkled brilliantly in the
darkness and then went out. Stimuli
tahe"usly flash of fire shot from the
Now Orleans sides.
On bogrd the flagship men and officers
had scrambled out of their hunks and
hammocks in response to the call, gen
eral quarters" They stood in groups
on deck around the guns watching the
short, sharp flames which showed the
activity of the New Orleans rapid fire
battery. The flagship was then too far
away to hear the sound of the fire or
sec its object. The New Orleans kent
her brilliant search lights playing i'm
all directions, and other ships near her
did the same.
On the decks of the New York the
marines were crouched down peering
into the darkness, with their rifles on
their knees, watching for the sailors
most dreaded enemy, the torpedo boat.
The lookouts were in every conceivable
spot, and guns were trained in the di-
rection where the New Orleans seemed
to be firing. Every now and again
sparks and red fire flew up in the dis
tance, marking the explosion of shells
Many persons thought they were ex-
ploding on the torpedo boat. but to-day
IT Is believed they found their mark on
shore. The moon, which had been hid
den behind the clouds, came out at
about IL o'clock. The New York was
then steaming at full speed towards the
shore to head off, IL possible, the re-
treat OF the enemy into the harbor. The
evolutions had to be carried on with
great care to avoid getting in line OF
fire from the other American ships. The
searchlights played frequently, and
private signals burned brightly.
A dim object, looking like small
boat enveloped in smoke, was seen on
the port side from the signal bridge, and
Ensign Murlin reported to Csptain
Chadwick, "A torpedo boat one point
forward on the port beam. sir. headed
this way"
Cartain Chadwick. with Rear Admiral
SemT son, was on the forward bridge. |
Bcfo rc shot was fired from the flag
sh'r this curious looking object disap-
peared 1t must have been two or |
three miles away from the New York,
and the same distance from the New
Orleans.
Tn Oregon. grim and big. crossed the |
New York's bow in the direction the |
torpedo boat was reported. The tor |
pedo boat was still headed for shore. |
When a mile away. and close to MORO |
Castle, an object was seen against the |
cliffs. 1t was thought to be a tor
pedo boat, and the New York's forward |
eight-inch guns beloved out making |
a hideous noise in tie quiet night light |
ing up the crowded decks and filling the |!
air with bright smoke. On shore a |,
few sparks close TO the dark object |
showed where the shells struck. The |
four-inch and six-pounder guns fol- |
sharp fire was kept up. The boom of /
the Oregons big guns was twice heard |
to the eastward. Cease firing" was |
then sounded.
After a careful watch the New York |
steamed back to her station. and the |
men went back to their hammocks |
There had been no firing from the forts. |
and accounts differ as to whether the /
torpedo boat did or did not fire.
At any rate. no damage was done. |
Captain Folger reported that he had |
sighted a small steamer. perhaps a gun
boat; that she had failed to answer the |
private signals. and that he had fired /
on her. He believed she had escaped |
along the beach or had been destroyed. !
he could not tell which. That ended