New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-04
STORY OF PRIZE CAPTURING.
GOOD WORK OF BOATSWAIN'S NATE
NEVIS IN TAKING SPANISH BOATS.

NEVIS IN TAKING SPANISH BOATS.
Kev West. Fla, Aug 3.-Another Jackie"
has achieved the reputation Of hero. He is
Boatswain's Mate Nevis Of the gunboat Ban
croft. and the tale Of his valor is not unmxed
with humor one day last week the Bancroft.
accompanied by the converted yacht Eagle.
which had been covering the bockading station
ish schooner in slgunea Bay.
The Bancrofts steam launch. in charge OF
Nevis and one other seaman. each armed with
a rife. was sent In to take the schooner Ihis
was only a task Of minutes. and the pretty
launch returned with her prize. which proved
10 be the schooner NIto-little more than
smack and with no cargo Her captain was an
American and with him were his Cuban Wife
and seven children. all vowing loyalty to the
Cuban cause They pleaded poverty. and that
the Nito was their only means Of livelihood.
Commando Clover Of the Bancroft. promised
to return here at tho proper time Meanwhile
h. sent Novis In with her to anchor near the
wreck Of the Spanish transatlantic liner Santo
Domingo. which was sunk by the Eagle few
weeks ago. The Bancroft and the Eagle crulsed
of to Maugle Point. where they happened to he
put IN communications with the nsurgent camp.
Two hours later they returned For a time
nothing could be seen of the launch or the prize.
THOUGHT PRIZE WAS RECAPTURED.
Suddenly Commander Glover. who was scan
ming the waters with his glass. shouted to Cap
tain Sutherland. OF the Eago:
"Ey heavens. they have recaptured my prize
The little schooner lay 1ear the wrecked
steamer but the Spanish flag was flying from
her mast. and. instead Of only Noys and his
companion. she was apparently filled with men,
Meanwhile the gunbcat Mapl' had drawn ui>
ani Commander Clover ordered he: In to the
work II rescue WITH guns ready. she steamed
toward the schooner. but the sight that greeted
her was not what was expected. Nevis and his
companion sat q, one end II the boat. attempt
ine to navigate her out Of the harbor Each
had tis rife across his knee. and was keeping n
wary eye on a party Of half dozen Spanards
ltddl,l ln the other end ~ the boat
The Maple asked for Information, and offered
Nevis a tow. but he declined the proffered as
slstancc Then Il developed that in going in
~ anchor he had observed two other small
Spanish BEATS near the wreck Of the Santo
Domingo and had resolved to capture them too
He knew IL was hazardous work. but bluff
carried him through He took the Spanish
co;ors # the schooner. ran them up and boldly
sailed in
SURPRISED SPANISH SAILORS
There were six men ON the two other boats
and they watched the approach of their sup
posed compatrots with calmness that speedily
changed 10 CONSERVATION when Nevis and the
other Jackie" suddenly whipped their rifles 70
their shoulders ald demanded an immediate
surrender. The scared Spanish seamen lost no
time in complying. and had the unique
pericnce of surrendcring to their own flag.
Then scorning all aid Nevis took them out
10 his boat and In the most matter-of-f fact man
rcr reported his adventure 10 his astonished
commander.
The capture was no mean one. for the prison
crs gave important information to the Ameri
can ship They were residents OF the little
town Of Cortez. Province of Pinar del Rio The
town has n population Of 1000. and the only
reason FOR its existence is that 1t serves as
dcpot for the Nulta AbajO tobacco district and
contains number Of large tobacco warehouses.
The Bancroft and the Eagle would have taken
the town. which is defended only by hundred
soldiers but they could not spare n permanent
force 10 protect the non-combatant women and
children.