The Portland daily press., 1898-04-25
CAPTURE OF The PEDRO.
How the New York Chased the
Spanish Steamer.
WAS FOLLOWED TO WITHIN THREE
MILES OF SHORE.

steamer Tired to Reach Swallow water
But Was stopped just in Tfme-Guns
of MORO Castle Opened Fire on the
Fleet But Did No Damage.
Copyright 1898 by the Associated Press.
On Board the Flagship New York, Of
Havana. April 20, 3 a. m.-Morro Castle
opened fire on the fighting squadron off
the United States at eleven o'clock last
night. About ten shots were sent in the
direction of our ships, but none of them
took effect, and no shots were fired in re-
turn. The Spaniards had apparently seen
the lights of the New York while the
latter was signalling to ship Of the
squadron. The firing was reported by the
officer of the deck, Ensign J. R. Edie, to
Captain Chadwick, who was asleep at the
time. The young officer asked the captain,
in somewhat excited tones, whether the
New York had not better discontinue sig
mailing.
NO." muttered Captain Chadwick,
with the utmost GOODNESS, :" there is no
necessity for stopping the signals. Go
ahead
A little later Captain Chadwick was on
the forward bridge from whence be
watched the tongues of fame shoot out
from Moro Castle. He glanced in the
direction OF the Spanish Notifications for
a few seconds, and then turned his back
on them, IN silent contempt and went
back to his bed, perfectly certain the
Spaniards could do no damage at five
miles, which was then the approximate
distance of the flagship from MORO castle.
Another officer said: 1.-THE Spauiards
probably became nervous and decided
that they could not sleep without some
fireworks. They can't hurt anything any
way" There was no excitement on board
the flagship during Morro's futile attempt
at gunnery. The discipline was really
splendid. In fact at this hour many
people on board the flag ship do not know
that Spain's first guns or tie war have
been fired and the New York was their
target
reported to the flagship at midnight: ~
have prizes" 1t is therefore evident that
other ships beside the New York have
been busy during the night. The extent
or value of the captures of the Cincinnati
is not known at this writing. MORO
castle light which was burning brightly
all the night was put out at midnight.
The Spaniards evidently realized. though
rather late, that the sole use of Moro
Castle light was to serve as guide to the
feet of the United States.
Tho capture of the Spanish steamer
Perdo and the in cidents attending on the
squadron's appearance before Havana
history of the war. About 4 so p. NJ.
yesterday, when Havana was fifteen miles
distance the squadron was signalled into
battle formation of double column, the
New York leading the battleships and the
Oinnoinati, the cruisers and gunboats.
Just as the evolution was completed the
following signal was hoisted on the flag
ship: Disregard movem ents of the COM
wandering chief" Simultan sously Capt
Chadwick sent Chief Engineer G. j. Nc
Connell, this message: sect up all the
steam you can. A steamer has been
sighted and the Admiral wishes to capture
her,
A few m oments later smoke was pour
ing from all three of the New York fun
nels and she stood away to the southeast.
The squadron, led by the Iowa, con-
tinued on its course, heading in south
westerly direction.
The New York was soon tearing
through the water at rapidly increased
speed and was fast leaving the squadron
in her rear.
Away in the distance close under the
mist covered hills of Cuba, midway be-
tween Havana and Matanzas, could be
seen the outlines of large steamer head
chase" "a chase" echoed fore and aft,
and the officers and crew of the New
York gathered on her deck eagerly watch.
ing the flagship churn through the blue
water, foaming at her stern, until she
was making about eighteen knots. The
ADMIRAL paced the forward bridge as
calmly as If watching potatoe race.
The New York gained rapidly on the
stranger, to the great delight of all on
board the cruiser. it being evident that
the latter would cut off the steamer from
escape. The crew OF the New York BY this
time were at their stations and the guns
were loaded and trained. When the
Spanish flag was seen flying at the
strangers stern, cry Of delight went up
from the blue jackets on board the New
York. 1t was evident that the Spaniard
was doing her best to get away from the
cruiser, and was heading in nearer and
nearer to the coast, hoping to find safety
would not dare to follow her. When the
Spaniard was about three miles from the
shore, and about mile from the New
York, an eight inch gun from the |
cruisers forward turret suddenly belched |
out stream of fire, accompanied by q |
crashing report.
1t was only meant as a warning shot |
but the steel projectile went ricocheting |
over the water in dangerous proximity to |
the fieeing merchantmen. The echo of |
the report had hardly died away among |
Cuba's hills when the Spaniard hove to, |
About ten minutes later the New York
was near her. In the distance a few lone
ly looking houses could be seen perchina
on wild looking beach. A prize crew, |
commanded by Lieut.. E. E. Capehart |
and composed Of Assistant Engineer Neal. |
four marines and boats crew all we'll |
armed, were lowered over the side of the
cruiser, and amid exultant cheers from
thelr comrades on board the New York,
they pulled over to the Spaniard, which
proved to be the Pedro of Bilboa, and an |
excellent prize.
Scarcely had the prize crew left the
New York for their new command, before