The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-25


vana harbor. There was no confusion, no
shouting and no singing. When at
minutes of o'clock Captain Chadwick
! gave the order to go ahead. the clang OF
/ the engine bell could be heard all over the
! ship.
! At slow speed the flagship leading the
! fighting squadron IN column took a south
southwest course and Key West faded
out of sight.
About fifteen miles off Key West, be-
tween and s a. m, tramp steamer was
sighted bearing down on the feet and
off the cruiser Nashville's quarter. The
steamer hoisted a Spanish flag, where
upon the Nashville promptly signaled her
to stop. The Spaniard paid no attention
to the signal and continued on her way
at full speed. The Nashville then put a
shot across her bows. This also had no
effect. But a minute later a puff of
smoke cured out from the Nashville and
the first of the war. fired in earnest, sped
close to the Spanish steamer. A second
later down came the Spanish flag and the
steamer hove to. The prize turned out
to be the Buena Venture, of Bilboa- She
was boarded from the Nashville, the fleet
stopped, and, after ahurried investiga-
ton, the Nashville was ordered to taake
her prize back to Key West.
1t was not a very important capture,
not was it an exciting engagement; but
the incident added greatly to the enthusi-
asm prevailing among the rank and file
of the fleet
At a. m. Admiral Sampson hoisted a
Rear Admirars flag. and as the two white
stars on a blue ground flew to the breeze,
thirteen guns were fired in salute. Cap
tain Evans headed the battleship Iowa
near the flagship and led his crew in Civ
ing three rousing cheers for the rear ad-
miral
As the ships followed each other in a
we'll kept line through the dark blue
waters of the gulf, the guns shining
brightly in the sunlight the scene resem-
bled more the peaceful evolutions at
Hampton Roads, than the menacing pro-
gres SO IA death-dealng force.
1t was almost impossible to realize thata
this was war. Orders were quietly given,
and were as quietly carried out. Neither
of excitement. Rear Admiral Sampson
strolled leisurely up and down the star
board side of the quarter deck, while on
the portside the officers off duty smoked
and chatted as unconcernedly as if in
harbor.
On Board the Flagship New York off
Havana. April 81 a m.-Delayed in
\ .
ism steamer Pedro and the incidents at
tending the squadron's appearance before
Havana, already reported briefly in these
dispatches. form an intensely interesting
initial character of the history of the war.
About 4:30 p. m. yesterday when Ha-
vana was fifteen miles distant, the squad
ron was signaled into battle formation of
double column. the New York leading the
batJleships. and the Cincinnati leading
the cruisers and gunboats. Just as the
evolution was completed. the following
signal was hoisted on the flagship: Dis
regard movements of commander-in-
chief" simultaneously Captain Chadwick
sent Chief Engineer c. J. Mcconnell this
message: Get up all the steam you can.
\ steamer has been sighted and the admi-
raj wishes 20 capture her"
A few moments later smoke was pouring
from all three of the New York's tunnels
and she stood away 10 the southeast.
The squadron. led by the Iowa, contln-
ued on its course. heading in a south
westerly direction.
The New York was soon tearing through
the water at rapidly increasing speed
and was fast leaving The squadron in the
rear.
Away in the distance. close under the
mist covered nils Of Cuba. midway be-
tween Havana and Mataanzas, could be
seen the outlines Of a large steamer head
ing to the eastward. Then the old cry OF
"a chase" "A chase" echoed fore and
aft and the officers and crew Of the New
York gathered on her decks, eagerly
watching the flagship churn through the
blue water. foaal.ng white a, her stern
unosi she was making about Is knots.
The admiral paced the forward bridge
as calmly as Z watching potato race.
The New York gained rapidly on the
stranger until 10 rhe great de,igat Of all
on board the cruiser. 3t was evident that
the latter would cut of the steamer from
escape. The crew OF The New York by
this time were a. their stations and the
guns were loaded and trained. When the
Spanish fsg was seen flying az the s5ran-
gers stern, cry OF delight went up from
the blue jackets on board the New York.
Il was evident THAI me S7aniard was do
ing her best 60 get away from the cruiser
and was heading n nearer and nearer
10 the coast. hoping to find safety in shall
low water where the warshlp could not
dare 20 follow Ter.