The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-25
Leads all Oh0r North Carolina Da88 in B0th News and Circulation

through the water at ii rapidly incrcas
ing speed and was fast leaving the
squadron in the rear.
Away in the distance, close under the
mist covered hills of Cuba. midway be-
tween Havana and MdtanzaS, could be
seen the outlines of a large steamer
heading to the eastward. Then the old
cry of ~ chase" a chaser 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, foaming white
at her stern until she was making about
IS knots.
The Admiral paced the forward deck
as calmly as if watching potato race.
1t was evident that the Spaniard was
doing her best to get away from the
cruiseer. and the heading in nearer and
nearer to the coast hoping to find safety
in shallow water whore the war ship
could not dare to follow her.
When the Snaniard was about three
miles from the shore and about Il mile
from the New York. an eight-inch gun
from the cruisers forward turret sud
denly belched out Il stream of fire, ac-
companied by a crashing report. 1t was
only meant as warning shot but the
steel projectilc went ric0rcheting over
the water, in dangerous proximity to the
fleeing merchantman.
The echo of the report had hardly
died away among Cuba'S hills
when the Spaniard hove to. About ten
minutes later the New York was near
her. I'm the distance, a few lonely look
ing houses could be seen perching on a
wild looking beach.
\. prize crew, commanded by Lieu
tenant II. Il. Capehart, and composed of
Assistant Engineer Neall, four marines
and boats crew, all well armed, were
lowered over the side of the cruiser and.
amid eXUltant cheers from their com
radcs on board the New York, they pull
ed over to the Spaniard, which proved to
be the Pedro. of Bilbao, an excellent
prize.
While this was transpiring the out
lines Of another steamer were seen sew
cral miles to the westward
The New York then fired another
blank shot of warming to "hcavc to-
in the direction Of the second vessel
sighted by the flag ship and upon gain
ing proper distance. the New York fired
a second shot, this time across the bows
of the second steamer and the latter
hove to at once.
A third seizure occurred this morning
few miles west of the entrance to Ha-
vana harbor. 1t was n small schooner,
apparently fishing craft and she was
captured by the Cincinnati. The cruiser
towcd her to the flagship, and her cap
tain made satisfactory explanation to
Admiral Sampson, who released the YES
sel
Shortly before noon today the torpedo
boat Porter captured a Spanish schoon-
er. Mathildc. which the DauntleSs toWed
into Key West tonight.
Just after the New York had cx-
changed salutes with the Italian war
ship, two schooners were sighted in
shore from where the New York and
the italian lay, and the flagship signalled
the Porter to go after them. The tor
pedo boat glided over the water at a
very rapid pace and passed almost under
the bows of the Bausan on her capture
Of the Mathildc. As she ran the Porter
fired shots from her Sx-pOunder across
them came about Immediately. but she
proved to be fishing boat and was re-
leased But the Mathildc was more OBJ
stinate and probably did not appre-
ciate being stopped by what looked like
a toy boat or else failed TO understand
what the Porter wanted her to do. But
when two more shots were fired from the
torpedo boat the Mathlde came about,
and the Porter ran alongside, informed
her she wanted her. she WAS seized by
the United States. and promptly took
her prize in tow and started off to the
flagship with her.
The Mathilde was loaded with barrels
of rum, was sunk almost to her rails,
and the Porter had much difficulty in
dragging the heavy schooner through
the water.
Nearly the entire crew of the New
York assembled on the deck and as the
Porter came M with her prize, they
gave her a great cheering.
The DauntIess was about ready to
leave for Key West and Admiral Samp-
SON asked the dispatch boat to tow the
prize to that port for him, which was
done, prize crow from the New York
being placed on board the Mathildc.
There was a strong wind blowing and
a heavy sea running all the way from
Havana to Key West, but the Dauntless
plowed through the water with her tow.
which had her rails under half the time,
with great volumes of spray dashing
over the sailors and marines from The
New York, who sat on top of the
schooner's cargo, each man ready with
his rifle to prevent any attempt that
might be made by the schooner's own
crew to cut loose from the Dauntlcss.
The latter made the run of eighty miles,
from off Havana. to Key West, with
her tow, in eight hours, arriving at Key
West before midnight