The Portland daily press., 1898-08-02
BLOCKADE RUNNERS STORY.
Says San Juan Harbor Is Strongly
Fortified.

Providence, Mass, Aug. 1.-The Brit
ish schooner Bravo, Captain Emeno ar
rived in this port this afternoon from San
Juan, Porto Rico flor orders) and her
master reports that he succeeded in run
ming the blockade at the latter port and
disposed of cargo of food at high pri-
ces In an interview with the Associated
Press correspondentCaptai Emeno said:
''We arrived off San Juan July 9th an d
ran the blockade which at that time we
did not know existed, it having been de-
clared after we left Lunenburg, N. S.
While we we're trying to make the har-
Dor we sighted big steamer which later
proved to be the Yosemite. She sighted
us and put about at full steam to over
haul us, and l put the schooner about
under the impression that she might be
a blockader. As we neared her the
Yosemite changed her course to the
westw ard and in short time we came
about and made for the harbor. The
cruiser thereupon changed her course to
overtake us and again the Bravo was put
about to meet the Yosemite, this man
oeuvFing occurred several times until final
ly we were nearly opposite the harbor.
decided to risk getting in as we were
between the fire of the Spanish forts and
the Yosemite if attempts were made to
stop us, and sailed in. We remained at
San Juan for seven days, in the mean
time disposing of the cargo of flour and
fish. Flour sold at S25 per sack of 200
pounds, salt fish being SOC pound. Our
agent advised US to remain aboard while
in Porto, informing us that the natives
were more hostile than ever, CHASING us
as allies of the Americans. San Juan is
strongly fortified, especially on the land
side. There are between $4,000 and
$4,000 soldiers there and they have been
preparing for the coming of the Amer
cans. Strong defences in the shape of
earthworks and rifle pits have been err
eeted. There was also plot to blow up
the entire American army when it
reaches the city.
The Spaniards have laid pipes under
the ground filled with powder and other
explosives, leading to mines beneath the
city. Should their defense fail they in
tend TO surrender the city, allowing the
American troops to take possession and
when the Americans are well within the
city signal is to be given, causing the
mines to do their deadly work, and they
believe, to annihilate the American army
Al Uilsho flClulbJs lueSS pipes alSO l6au
to mine three miles outside the city
After taking on a cargo of sugar on
the 18th, also As Spanish persons. they
hope to reach Spain by way of St Thorn
as, we SET sail. We found the channel
blocked, the Spaniards having sunk
large vessel i'll the middle, and also
placed distractions on both sides OF the
craft. A portion of the wreckage was
removed so we could proceed, but this
was Immediately replaced after we passed.
We got under way at g. 80 .. N. on the
18th. everyone on board expecting TO
meet blockading craft.
The Yosemite again showed up and
fired shot across our bow we kept on,
and once more she fired and concluded
to show up, fearing third shot would
hit US. A terrible sea was on at the time
the cruiser lowered her boat and at
tempted to board, but owing to the
roughness of the sea the boat put back.
She hoisted her boat abroad and steamed
toward the harbor entrance. We reached
st. Thomas July II, landing our passen-
gers. The next day the cruiser Yosemite
arrived being relieved from block ade
duty. We left St. Thomas July 18th,
reaching ProYjncetown today.