The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-11
A VEST POCKET
FIGHT AT SEA.
The Spaniards Again Demonstrate
that They Can Hit Nothing.

ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT. KATE SPENCER
OFF CARDENAS. May s.-Via KEY
WEST. FLA. May lo.-The little TORPEDO
boat Winslow yesterday morning preeipi-
tated the first naval engagement fought
in Cuban waters. On reconnaissance In
Cardenas harbor she drew the IRE OF
three Spanish coast guard vessels ana
lively vest-pocket sea fight followed Win
the tiny gunboats.
MACHIAS TAKES A HAND.
As the Winslow was decidedly In the
minority she ran for the open sea, where
her big station mate. the gunooat Ma
cias. who had been called up oy inc
firing. took hand IN the game with her
four-inch rifles and tossed several sheiiS
over the low sand spit behind which tho
Spanish boats were sheltered. IL was
impossible to see whether any or these
landed. The Winslow was uot touched,
but she claims 10 have knocked few
spinters out OF the larger coast guard
boat.
The most important result OF the
Winslow's reconnaissance was the ois-
covery that the Cardenas haroor Is mined.
II there we're any batteries on SHORE the
Spanards did not think Il worth WINS
10 disclose their position. That there ars
mines I'm the channel 10 important In
view OF the report that II is Cardenas
and not Matanzas where the landing OF
the United States forces will be made.
IN CARDENAS BAY.
The fight with the guardia costss oc-
CURED yesterday morning. Cardenas Is
one OF the largest bays along the coast,
the little town OF the same name lying Al
the southern end. From the western
shore Icicas Poist reaches out like hong
index finger. almost touching Pidras Key
Light. which in peaceful days beaconed
the harbor entrance. The lighthouse has
been I'm darkness and deserted for many
sights.
Feeling safe In the desolation OF the
lighthouse and the silence ashore, the
little Winslow crept quietly in. under
the early morning haze for closer IN
spection OF the harbor. There had evil
IDENTIFY been a lookout among the dunes
along the sand spit. for the Winslow was
allowed 10 feel her way into the harbor
taking notes OF changed buoys and false
marks designed TO lead a hostile fleet on
To torpcdo fields. But, suddenly, there
was a pun OF smoke from the Mangrove
clumps along one of the inlets and b.
hound she'll screeched out of the bushes.
Crack came another from the shelter OF
A tiny key in the bay and a third from
further down the coast. Then three coast
guard boats darted from their cover un-
der a full head OF steam Ike a Dig gar
pike after a minnow.
A RUNNING FIGHT.
The Winslow's crew jumped 20 tina
2-pounders fore and aft and let the Span
iards have II, port and starboarc. as
thew chased I'm. The little gunooats
came along shooting but after the usual
Spanish fashion, hit nothing but the ad-
iacent scenery. Then the WlnsloW
scuttled along for the open set using her
after gun as a stern chaser and detiantiy
shooting as she went along
The Spanish boats wasted about sixty
shots. and the biggest boat, mounting a
l2-pounder. kept up the bomoardment as
long as the Winslow was in range.
The Spaniards. who had probably heard
the news from Manila were evidently as
mad as a nest OF hornets and kept up tne
chase until all four Of the little craft were
rocking in the swell past Piedras Keys.
lust then there was a crash and roar
TO seward and the Machias, bearing In
under a canopy OF smoke. sent smell
smashing into the pursuing neet.
The little patrol boats spun ABOUT IKE
water spiders and ran TO shelter beyond
the sand sp,t. The Machlas sent few
| shells skipptng I'm between the sand dunes,
bur with what effect could not be seen.
AT anv rate there are three prospective
additions 10 our mosquito feet bottled up
I'm Cardenas harbor. waiting Develop
| ments.
THE BRATSBERG'S CAPTURE.
KEY WEST. May I0.-The Spanish fish
ing schooner Fernandino and the Nor
wegian steamer Bratsberg are the only
new vessels in the harbor this morning.
The capture OF the Bratsberg bears
many features OF resemblance TO that OF
the French steamer Lafayette, but. like
that case, il will be settled without any
international complications.
About two weeks ago the Bratsoers'
bound from Pregeso. Mexico. for Havana,
with 500 head OF cattle. was warned on
the Cuban coast by the blockadlng fleet.
She put into this port and remained
| couple OF days when she sailed. ostensioly
| for New York to ind a market for the
| cattle She was piloted out OF this haroor
April 9th, and was not seen again until
Yesterday morning. when the gunboat
| Newport sighted her about twenty-five
miles off Havana. Captain Tiley knew
she had once been warned, and observing
| that she was floating easily and with cat
| tie pens apparently empty. he hailed and
boarded her. Captain Thorson stoutly de-
MED that he was attempting TO slip past
! the blockade, but he could not satisfac-
torily explain the disposition OF his cargo
| and was sent In under the Mangrove' 5
| escort with the fishing smack Fernandino.
taken by the Vicksburg OF Havana yes
| terday.
There Is a great deal OF sorrow here
| over the illness OF Chaplain Chadwick.
formerly Of the battleship Maine. and now
| OF the cruiser Cincinnati He is confined
10 the Marine Hospital with an attack OF
eryslpeas but his condition Is not at all
1 serious.