New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-04
AN EXPLOIT AT CABANAS.
THE CASTINE TAKES sOUNDINGS RIGHT
UNDER SPANISH GUNS.
ENEMY LOOK on But OFFER NO RESISTANCE
WEYLER's BROTHER-IN- LAW CAPTURED
on THE ARGONAUTA.

OK THE ARGONATTA
Key West. Fla. May 3-One Of the incoming z
prizes to-day the little fishing schooner
Antonio Y Paco. taken by the gunboat New
port of Marie yesterday and towed In by the
gunboat Castinc. The Castine has proved her
prowess well as the more formidable ships
Of the squadron. At o'clock on Sunday morn
Ing she went into Cabanas and anchored only
about a mile from the fortincat,ons. which are
a combination Of fort and blockhouses. Then
she sent her steam cutter IN about half mile
until II was within a thousand yards Of the
fort. There the cutter made soundngs and OBJ
servations for half an hour or more, after which
she returned to the ship unmolested. num-
hor OF persons were clearly observed about the
fort. They watched the operations with ap-
parent interest. but offered no hostile sign
Two unfortunate accidents, though Of q minor
character have occurred on the ships during
the last few days While the flagship New
York was lying at Matanzas a sergean. Of ma
rines dropped his pistol. which exploded. the
bullet striking William Taylor, nrst-class ap-
prentice. and passing through his stomach and
lungs. Taylor's condition is serious but he
has a chance OF recovery This morning, while
the crew of the cruiser Cincinnati were drilling
IN the harbor. ball cartridge got mixed with
dummy cartridges and J. Scomax. a gunners
mate. was shot through the Jaw
The ESQ marines who arrived on the Panther
a few days ago will be transferred to the ResO-
lutte. which is expected shortly from New York.
The Panther Will then he made into an auxiliary
cruiser
The Spanish mail steamer Argonauta. Captain
LaEc. the news OF the capture Of which was
telegraphed yesterday. was conveyed into Key
West Harbor by the United States cruiser Mar
blehead this afternoon. II appears that Colonel
Vicente lie Cortijo. OF the Sd Spanish Cavalry.
who with nineteen other army officers was
taken on the prize, is a brother in-law OF Lieu
tenant General Valeriano Weyler. Colonel de
Cortijo denies this. but II IS learned from good
sources that he sustains this relationship TO the
former Governor General Of Cuba His captors
are elated
Colonel de Cortjo and the other officers We're
transferred to the Guido and the privates 70 the
AmbrosiO Bolivar two other trophies Of the first
week Of the war that are still lying in the har-
Dor The Argonauta itself is mean prize,
being Of 900 tons burden. but the value ~ the
capture lies mainly in the prisoners Of war and
the mai matter going to General Blanco. Her
cargo is general merchandise. with a large
quantity Of arms and ammunition intended for
the Spanish troops In cuba.
She was capturei on Cienfueeos on Friday
after lively interchange Of shots between the
cruiser Marbehead the gunboat Nashville the
auxiliary cruiser Eagle. Of the Mosquito feet.
and two Spanish torpedo boats and one torpedo
boat destroyer.
The captive Spanish officers carried them
selves with amusing nonchaance and tod the
American naval officers that IL did their hearts
good to see such gathering Of we.l-iei and
prosperous looking men"
In the party OF Cubans who left here last
night for Tampa to Join the regulars and move
/ with them To Cuba one American who VIII
take prominent part In the islands s'rugc r
for freedom He is Louis W. Mohun of Wash
ington a brother Of Paymaster Phuip '. Mohun.
81 The Navy now stationed a. Key Wesi lie
/ is an expert civil engineer and viii act as ilIst
lieutenant on tho STAFF ot General Nuhcz He
recently returned from Central America. where
he was a member of the Ni@aragUa Canal COM
missions surveying and exploring party