The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-11
She is Motel For Trying
Experiences.
SERIOUS FIRE in HER HOLD
Destructive Missiles Hurled at Her
by a Sand Battery.
SHE WAS ON BLOCKADE DUTY.

commanded by Lieutenant II. A. Brain
ard. returned here Wednesday after an
other exciting fortnight Of blockade
duty on the north Cuban coast The
Uncas. which has been joculariy dubbed
"the flagship OF the mosquito feet"
holds the record OF the three smaller
boats for continuous blockade service
and interesting experiences. She car
ried Cuban expeditions. and landed
them almost under the enemy's guns;
chases anything from a raft to battSe-
ship. and occupies spare moments by
knocking over Spanish blockhouses and
capturing prizes. On her latest trip.
the tug put ashore another expedition
for Gomez and had a dangerous fire In
her hold. just above her magazines. In
spite of all this, she looked none the
worse when she steamed into Key West
harbor for more coal and provisions
When the Uncas left here two weeks
ago she carried Captain Stable OF Co.
mess STAFF, six other Cubans, 500 REM
ington carbines and ammunition for the
insurgent forces. The next morning an
overturned cook stove in the forecastle
started fire. The Uncas was then only
two or three miles off Havana, and as
ments n well directed shell from any
OF the land batteries would have sent
her to the bottom. Those on board the
Uncas could see troops of Spaniards
about the guns ashore. but no deadly
messengers came their way. After the
fire had been extinguished by choppine
away the woodwork. the tug proceeded
to Cay Confites. near Caibarien, where
she put her little Cuban party ashore
without encountering a Spaniard.
Then the vessel steamed towards Ma.
tanzas. Near Cardenas a torpedo boat
was sighted, close to the shore, sending
up rockets. The natural supposition
was that she was Spanish vessel at
tempting to communicate with the shore,
and the Uncas promptly headed In her
direction. As she drew near the tor
pedo boat turned and came out to meet
her. She was then recognized as the
Talbot.
1t was while OF Matanxas, a day or
two ago. that the Uncas was fired upon
She was within two miles Of shore when,
without warning. sand battery OF
six or s-inch guns began firing shells at
her. Fully 20 Of these missiles fell
around the tug within a radius OF 100
yards before she could get out Of range.
AS she steamed away. the Uncas re-
turned the fire with her three forward
and after 6-pounders.
Then occurred q little incident illus
trating the superstitions of seamen. The
last shell from the Uncas' stern gun had
just screamed its way across the water
when gaudy- winged butterfly. which
had blown off shore. hovered over the
stiil-smoking gun and settled down on
Its grim muzzle. A horny listed Irish
man who manned the gun saw II. threw
UP his hands and shouted TO Lieutenant
Brainard: Say, captain. that settles
II. That's the last shot wen ire ir
this war" There Is not man on IL
J, tug who IL not thoroughly convince
that the butterfy's visit was a SUR fore
runner Of peace.
The Hornet arrived In the afternoon
with the 2-masted schooner, Saive
Maria capturd while running from
Batabano to the Isle OF Pines for food
The Salve Maria carried six men, but
no cargo.
Commodore Rcmey has received or
ders from Washington to release the
Tabasqueno. captured by the Hawk
while making for Sagua la Grande under
the French nag. Her case falls In the
same category as the Bergen. Aladdin
and Franklin, under the contention that
Sagua la Grande is not a blockaded
port.