The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-25

J Key West, April 25.--The Associated
Press dispatch boat Dauntless arrived
in this harbor shortly before midnight
having in tow the first sailing vessel
prize Of the campaign, the schooner
Mathilde. Of Havana, 60 tons, loaded
with rum.
When the Dauntless left the main
feet under Rear Admiral Sampson al
BIS o'clock on Saturday afternoon what
seemed thorough blockade of Ha-
Sana had been successfully effected,
Hhe feet range from eight to ten miles
From the shore along which they are
extended for fully 20 miles in the fol
Sowing order. running from west to
East Maynower, Iowa, Newport, De-
troit, Marblehead, Indiana, New York
and Wilmington. with the torpedo boat
Porter attending the flagship.
MORO Castle and the city Of Havana
are in good view from the flagship with
glasses but the coast as is always the
ease, Is covered 9Th haze. No news
pf what Is occurring in the blockaded
sity has been obtained, and the news
baper men are equally In doubt as to
khe Intentions of Rear Admiral Sanp-
BON and the United States government
Soon after 9 o'clock Saturday morn
ing the Amphtrite. Puritan. Cincin-
Aati, Castlne, Machias and three tor
pedo boats, after much interchange OF
kignals, parted company with the flag
bhip, sailing in a northeasterly direc-
tion, presumably to blockade Matan-
10 40 In
| Last Friday morning the Dauntless
3eft Key West an hour and twenty min
BITES behind the other boats, but In four
end half hours she was at the head
bf the procession Of newspaper boats.
The Capture of the Pedro.
The scene of the opening event of
What may prove to be the prolonged
iAostIlities between the governments of
ths United States and Spain was just
pr the coast Of Cuba. at point about
hen miles east Of Moro Castle. The
shot was fired from the New York
hoross the bow of the Spanish steamer
Pedro, OF Bilbao, outward bound from
Havana. She hove to Immediately, and
bn the course Of an hour prize crew
from the gship was on board her,
Ind she was on her way to Key West.
Nhe capture Of the Pedro occurred at
o'clock on Friday afternoon, in full
view Of the Dauntlcss, which was the
nearest vessel to the New York at the
tims.
D., The lookout en- the tops of the New
Aork's military masts had sighted the
Bpanish coors flying from Spanish
ktcamer which had just left Havana
hRrbor. Those on board Of the steamer
must have seen the New York over
hauling them, but they made no pre-
kense of stopping. The chase contin-
ned for nearly an hour, and bv that
lime the New York had passed the
Dteamcr and stopped about half mile
pff her port bow. III another moment
fhere was puff Of smoke from the New
York, followed by the sharp report of
D six FOUNDER. The shot passed over
khe bows Of the steamer and threw up
b great spray when it struck the water
There was no mistaking Its mean
Ing. The steamer stopped its engines
Immediately and swung around in the
heavy sea which was running. The
next move came promptly. A large
whaleboat was lowered from the New
York, filled with sailors and marines,
and fully armed and in charge of an
bflcer. The prize proved to be the
Pedro, Of about 1000 tons
The sun was just sinking below the
horizon when the prize crew from the
New York climbed over the side of the
Pedro and q few minutes later the
Spanish ensign was hauled down.
\ While this was transpiring the out
fines Of another steamer were seen sew
Aral miles to the westward. Dusk was
gathering, and 1t was impossible at
khat distance to distinguish her nation
Ality, but the New York put out for
her as soon as she had cast loose the
whaleboat containing the prize crew
for the Pedro.
II German Steamer Halted.
( The New York then fired another
Alank shot Of warning "heave to" in the
direction Of the second vessel sighted
by the flagship. and upon gaining
broper distance the New York fired
second shot, this time across the bows
Nf the SECOND steamer, and the latter
hove to at once. Upon investigation it
vas learned that she was a German
Nsamer that had just left Havana and
1he was allowed to proceed.
4 The Pedro was taken to Key West,
khe New York returned to the romain-
Her of the feet and all the vessels lay
10 and drifted all night outside of Ha-
kana harbor. Torpedo boats and one
of tho cruisers did patrol duty in the
Sicinity Of the feet all night. but no
vessel af any kind approached the