The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-07

Copyrighted. 1893. by the Associated Press.
on BOARD ASSOCIATED PRESS DIS
PATCH BOAT KATE SPENCER, via
Key West, May 6.-The Lafayette. of the
French General Transatlantic Company's
line. a vessel of 1884 tons gross register.
bound from Corunna. Spain, April q. for
Havana, was captured yesterday evening
off the latter port by the gunboat Annap-
oils, Commander Hunker. while trying to
run the blockade. after having previously
been warned off. She has on board a
large number Of passengers and a val
uable cargo. possibly containing contra
band OF war. The capture was effected
shortly before sundown last night IN the
following manner:
The Lafayette was headed for Havana
napolis and warned not to enter the port.
She afterward made an attempt to do
SO and was captured after an exciting
chase. The Wilmington, Newport and
Merrill took part in the capture OF the
Frenchman. After an examination OF the
Annapolis was placed On board and she
was sent to Key West, escorted by the
Wilmington. Previous TO this step be-
ing taken. Commander Hunker, temporary
flag officer, and Commander Todd, of the
Wilmington, exchanged signals for over
thought 10 be involved, but it was seem-
tngiy finally decided 10 send her 10 Key
West.
The fact that she lef, Spanish port
after the declaration of war seems 10
warrant the holding OF the Lafayette. II
is reported that the Lafayette, In addI-
ton TO being French man steamer. IL
French naval reserve vessel. mounting
guns and carrying a crew sufficient TO
make her ready for active service at short
notice. This. IL is said, adds considerably
TO the gravity of the international aspect
OF ;he case.
The big krnpp guns on the battery were
Silent and q pretty effect was caused by
the white smoke wreaths curling up from
the little settlement OF Coiamar. rising
family against the green slopes of the
Cuban hills
Suddenly the feeling OF calm was broken
by the electric cali Of "a chase" which
re-eehoed to The Spencer The Annano-
lis had put her helm hard a-starkoars
and was putting on full steam ami elsav-
ing the waters in northeast direction.
fhe stranger came up rapidly, even with
the stay line. and the marine glasses soon
made her out 20 he big liner headed
straight for Havana.
on she came under ful steam. There
seemed TO be no doubt that the stranger
was bent on running through the block
aiding squadron and getting under the guns
OF Moro castle. /, possible, before being
overha1led.
Eut within FIVE minutes, from as many
different directions. three Of Uncle Sans
warships joined in the attempt 10 block
the strangers entrance to Havana. While
the Annapolis waa rushing down upon the
chase, in the distance tho Wilmington ard
the Newport were also bearing down upon
her. and the Merrill which had t,een uos
ing NJ towards che Associated Press dis
patch boat. also swung around across the
path Of the liner. a sor, OF David chal-
leng.ng Goliath. for the Merrill is a smart
Etile revenue cutter row acting as a dis
patch beat and 4 member of' the so-ealleti
mosquito fleet.
The Annapolis however. had been doing
such fine work that the stranger yas over
hauled two niles ahead Of the Merri!..
There was fash, a puff Of white smoke
10 the ice. followed by the boom OF A gun.
which announced that Uncle Sam had
ordered the stranger 10 heave to.
The liner obeyed ard the Merrill and the
Associated Press dispatch boat started on
a neck and neck race for the mig prize.
In the meantime boa, from the Annan-
oils had boarded the Frenchman, as the
stranger proved 10 be. On board the liner
a crowd Of excited passengers pressed anx-
sousiy about the vessels side TIP from
the south the wicked gray hull OF tia
Wilmington. with her men a. quarters
and the eelicassly lined Newport were
coming TIP rapidly.
4 moment or so later the three warshIps
lay by, until the boat from the Annapolis
started hack from the liner TO tne gam
boat. Then suddenly. 70 the astessI<Asraen;
of all on hoard the warships the french
Continued q PAr>A