Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-27
THE vEspvIus's "HooDoo" GONE.
Dynamite Gunboat Did Good Work
at Santiago.
(New York Herald)


As the Texas before her had done. the
dynamite gun vessel Vesuvius came into
port yesterday afternoon with her
"hoodoo" wiped out at Santiago The word
dynamite" is really a misnomer. for
the explosive which was used with
such good effect at Santiago was wet gun
cotton.
The Vesuvius put to sea from Key West
on June Sth, in search of the phan-
tom Spanish fleet, which was reported
making its way TO Habana. After three
days cruising in the old Bahama chan
mel orders were received TO join Admiral
Sampson off Santiago. She arrived on
the morning Of June 18TH and her COM
mander was instructed to keep well out
10 sea, as it was not desired that her
arrival should be known to the shore
batteries. Lieutenant Victor Blue, of the
Suwanee, had finished his accommodating
trip for the purpose OF removing all
doubt Of Cerveras whereabouts that day
and reported the two torpedo-boat-de-
stroyers anchored in the channel between
the Socapa Battery and Cayo Smith
Admiral Sampson ordered the Vesu-
vius to hurl her charges of gun-cotton
the same night of her arrival, and steam
ing 10 a range Of 17O0 yards about 10
o'clock she opened fire. Her first shot
was directed against the Spanish de-
stroyers over the battery 10 the west Of
MORO. A cough-like sound was all that
told Of the discharge until a report
greater than that made by two 13-inch
guns fired at once shook the earth and
made the ponderous warships rock. Two
more followed at short intervals against
the Socapa Battery.
A line of picket launches had been
drawn up of the entrance 70 the harbor
to give warning to the fleet Of any dash
by the Spanish destroyers. Those on the
launches knew nothing Of the Vesuvius's
actions, and when the projectiles burst
with tremendous force within the harbor
and on the hill there was great scurry-
ing and signalling by the launches. on
the other hand, the presence of the pick
cts was unknown on the gunboat. and
when her officers saw the quick move
ments he backed seward at a speed that
kept her quarterback submerged. She did
not dare 10 present her broadside TO the
batteries in turning.
Twenty-six shots were fred in all be-
fore Santiago. three a night on seven
nights, and five on the night of July 4th
when the Reina Mercedes and several
Spanish gunboats were reported emerg-
ing from the harbor Most Of the projec-
tiles were lO-inch, containing 200 pounds
Of gun-cotton The others used G-nch
contained 100 pounds Of the explosive
From one Of the officers of the Spanish
feet ii was learned that one explosion
had killed large number Of Spaniards,
and had completely wiped out a shore
battery. Captain Taylor, of the Indiana,
told the men on the Vesuvius that a pro-
jectle had made a hole In the battery
east OF MORO large enough TO put the
gunboat through II.
During her stay at Guantanamo Lieu
Pillsbury planned ex-
periments with 6-inch dummy projectiles
for the attack against Hsbana in which
she was 10 take part He believed ne
could fire them at a range Of three miles,
and was about 10 begin practice when
news of the signing OF the protocol was
received