The Portland daily press., 1898-09-12
RELICS FROM THE WZCAYA.
Chief ouartermas' er WestIund Talks With
Press Reporter.

Chief Ouartermastsr John Westlund OF
this city, who was on the converted
cruiser Suwanee, stationed or the DOCK
sde at Santiago, returned home on 1ur-
Tough last week and brought many IN
teresting and valuable relics whlch were
taken from the Vizcaya, on which hao
been placed all the Spanish treasures ana
money, she being the largest ana fastest
vessel, before making the fatal attempt
to get out of the "bottle" in which Samp
son had corked them up SO tight.
Tho relics consists of three Mauser
rifles, sabre bayonet, officers sword,
captains insignia for cap. BARRIERS i'm.
Elements, consisting of two pairs of sois-
sors and pair of clippers, and large
quantity of Spanish coin, some of it i'll
a good state of preservation and two
large lots of silver dollars melted and
run together and Weighing several
pounds. Besides these there are several
of the now famous Mauser bullets, taken
from MORO Castle, and four-inch
brass cartridge, six-pound cartridge ana
six pound shell from the cruiser
Suwanee. p.fs.
Mr.. Westlund was seen by PRhSS
man Saturday and talked in an interest,"
ing manner of life on the blockade. lie
was stationed in the pilot house most OF
the time and had an excellent opportunl-
ty to see everything. although not partlcl-
pating in the fight on account OF the ex-
plosive cargo. He described many OF the
incidents which are already SO familiar
to the reader, through the long-accounts
which have been written in the papers,
but it lends more interest to the sab
ject to talk with a man who has SeeE
right on the scene and who Is able TO
tell it in graphic manner. OF course
the battle of Santiago is an old story
now, but it is a story that will always
have some new features cropping out as
one meets and talks with some OF the
participants.
There is an interesting fact connected
with the four-inoh SHE'LL Readers OF the
papers will remem Der that during the
blockade the commander of the Suwanee
sent q request to Admiral Sampson TO
allow him to fire at Spanish flag which
was flying on Acquedoras castle. The
answer came back that he would be
allowed three shots. These were all that
were necessary for all three shots were
well aimed and took effect and the last
shot that was fired and brought the flag
to the ground was from this four-inch
cartridge shell.
ha iro A
can fleet was at Santiago the Suwanee
laid about three or four miles to the east
ward. She was loaded with mines and
was too dangerous to have among the
feet as stray shot from the Spanlards
was liable to hit her and blow them all
heavenwards, and her commander had
orders from the admiral to keep out of the
, way. The commander of the Suwanee
was waiting for suitable night to
plant the mines about MORO castle and
then explode them, but the opportunity
did mot come, as the Spanish fleet made
the unsuccessful attempt to get out OF
the "bottle'' and there was no further
need for mines in that vicinity.
1t was tho second day after the battle
. JnhD En6 ouWduees UoIuS a ASdo NAN"s>As
vessel, was ordered to go to the Vizcaya,
which was aground and on fire, and put
out the fire, and if possible save the YES
sell. The men were allowed to go on
board the Vizcaya and taks whatever
they could find in the way of treasure
or relics Some of the men found large
quantities of gold, which had melted and
run together and which Melted them a
small fortune. Others secured valuable
relics which were disposed of in some
cases at fabulous prices.
The relics brought hclne by Mr.. West
lund are on exhibition in the window OF
J. A. Merrill s. Co., the jewellers, and
attracts much attention.
Mr.. Westlund was for some time on
the lighthouse steamer Lilac at this port,
but afterwards went to Boston AID
shipped on a steamer of the lighthouse
service, which was afterwards converted
into cruiser and named the Suwanee.
Mr.. Westlund then enlisted in the ser
vice on the same vessel and was made
chief quartermaster. He leaves i'll few
days for Boston, when he will rejoin his
vessel, which is undergoing repairs, pre-
paratory to taking her old position in
the first lighthouse district.