The herald., 1898-05-01
Used As A TARGET FOR THE NEW
YoRK's GUNS
FIRED FOR Fifteen MINUTES
Then the Shore Batteries Which
Opened the Ball Refused to Play
Any Longer
ssociated Press Special Wire


northern coast of Cuba, was fired upon
Friday evening and somewhat demolished.
The firing began at $50 and lasted fifteen
minutes. Ten shots were fired from tina
New Yorks batteries. The New York and
Helena tried to draw the fire from the bat
teries of Havana and Mariel but failed.
About noon the New York steamed up
the west coast. Following the flagship for
quite a distance came the Iowa, Indiana
Helene and torpedo boats Porter and
Ericsson. But after Havana was passed,
where the Helena went in so close that
the crash of gun from MORO was mo-
mentarily expected. the ships, with the
exception of. the torpedo boats, soon re-
turned to their station.
Under full head of steam the flagship
bowled along until Mariel was reached. 1t
was easy from aboard the dispatch boat.
without glasses, to see the commotion
raised by the presence of the warships in
the pretty little village. The people rushed
wildly about and small boats quickly put
in shore. But there was no apparent life
in either of the forts on the two hills that
cover the approaches to the harbor.
The Porter steamed within half mile
OF them and the New York swung leisurely
At anchor at a mile range.
After Admiral Sampson had surveyed
Mariel to his apparent satisfaction he
sent the flagship clipping merrily further
up the coast.
Again the flagship rode unconcernedly
half a mile from the forts and the Porter
and Ericsson pushed their way ahead
Suddenly there was roar of a heavy gun.
q puff of smoke from the shore and the
little torpedo boat came scurrying back
under the lee of the flagship. The officers
and men disappeared from the decks OF
the New York like magic, and in less time
than 1t takes to tell it one six-inch gun
from her bow belched forth.
The evening was fading fast. Quick and
good work was necessary. Another shot
from the flagship, one more from ashore
and the forts guns were sllenced. Three
six-inch shells had sufficed.
Five more shots put quietus on the
Notifications. The first shot was fired at
$40. At 6:35 the New York let go two six
inch shells at the Notifications. There
was no answer from the shore. Ten min
utes later the flagship let go two of her
eight-inch turret guns and the shrieking
shells left trail Of fire easily seen in the
dark shadows of the evening. This time
the shore was hardly visible and the New
York put back to her station.
The Lesson Given
ON BOARD THE FLAGSHIP NEW
YORK, April 3O.-(via Key West.) The
full details of the Cabanas affair are that
the New York was lying quietly outside
the picturesque harbor Of Cabanas, about
two miles off shore. an inspection trip of
the coast having just been completed. The
f1o
boats Porter and Ericsson. A return to the
station off Moro castle, Havana, was
contemplated, the band was playing its
usual dinner music, when, from hill to
the eastward of Cabanas harbor, came the
sound of volley firing. 1t was plainly a
small-arms attack, though no smoke was
seen. The enemy was thought to be hid
den close to the beach and in front of a
ruined white building, which sloped as if
1t once had been the hacienda of a tobacco
planter. Now and again individual firing
was heard and well-regulated volleys con-
tinued at intervals. 1t was conjectured
that one troop of cavalry, dismounted, was
doing the firing. The officers of the flag
ship stood on her deck. trying to ascertain
definitely the exact location of the enemy
more amused than annoyed at this novel
method of attacking an armored cruiser
However, Rear Admiral Sampson and
Capt. Chadwick decided that the lesson
taught at Matanzas must be taught again
at Cabanas.
MAN the port battery" was the order
At few minutes past 6 o'clock the four
inch guns in the after port battery sent
shot flying over the water into Cuba's
SOIL raising a little cloud of dust about 1O(
yards in front of the hacienda and jus,
above where the Spanish cavalry stood
Before the hills, growing dim in the even
ing mist, had ceased echoing and rever-
berating the first report, the other four
inch gun In the after battery had landed its
projectile. few more shots from this
battery were fired, but the ground was evil
IDENTIFY damp, no dust arose, and it was
hard to tell where the shells fell. They
were fred at 3400 yards range. The Span
iards were not heard from after the first
shot
The New York then turned her bow east
ward. The target practice was apparently
over for the evening. Her starboard bat
teries now bore on the coast.
A moment or so later Capt. Chadwick
saw the Spanish cavalry, then mounted
ascending a hillside toward the hacienda
and he personally trained a four-inch CUR
and planted two shots. the second one
pumping right among the Spaniards, who
scattered in all directions.
The New York then steamed ahead to-
ward Moro castle, and the band of tn,
flagship continued Its musical program.
Most of the crew were on deck watchins
this little lesson given to the Spania rds
but there was no excitement.
The trip which ended in the target prac
tice at Cabanas started about noon, whel
the flagship, with the Ericsson and Porter
started westward. The admiral was anx
ious to personally investigate the block
AIDED harbors. When Mariel, 25 miles fror
Havana, was reached, the flagship cam
to a. standstill, and the gunboat Castint
which was guarding that port, was hailed
Capt. Berry thereupon went on board tn
flagship and had a consultation with tn
admiral. careful inspection of Mari,
harbor revealed the presence of two sma
Spanish gunboats and four schooners, we
In behind an old-fashioned Martello towe
4on one side and fiimsy fort on the othe
The combined battery Of the two fort
fcations' is one Misunderstanding cannon.
The last blockhouse of the westwar
trocha doomed up on sharp bluff shadow
ing the little town.
1t is believed that, in spite of its peaceft
appearance, mines have been laid beneat
the smooth waters of Cabanas harbor.
Not Bombardment
KEY WEST. Fla, April 30, 1920 a.m-
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