The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-23
SPANISH STEAMERS SEIZED.
ONE A PASSENGER AND THE OTHER
A FREIGHT BOAT.

Cruiser New York Captures the For
mer and the Nashville the Second.
Passenger steamer Made an Effort
to Escape But Several shots From
the New York Finally Induced Her
to Surrender.
Key West, Fla, April %, 2:2O a. m.-An
incoming tug reports that the New York
has captured Spanish passenger steamer
plying between Havana and Porto Rico.
The torpedo fleet is coming in.
Key West, Fla, April %, 4SO a. nit
is believed here that the prize captured
by the flagship New York is the Alfonso
KIN the mail steamer due at Havana to-
day mot the warship of that name).
The Spanish ship tried 10 run away, but
the New York gave chase, firing shot after
shot until the spaniards hove to and sur
rendered.
Key West. Fla. April 22.-The United
States cruiser Nashville has captured the
Spanish steamer Buena Ventura for Rot
terdam, having on board a cargo of lum-
Der. She was on her way from the coast
of Texas.
The Nashville towed her prize into the
harbor at II o'clock this morning.
The news of the capture of the spanlard
set the people of Key West frantic with
enthusiasm.
All work was suspended and the docks
were soon crowded.
The United States feet was about twelve
miles off Sand Key light this morning at
7 o'clock when the Spanish merchantmen
was sighted, bound north.
The gunboat Nashville ran her down
and put a shot across her bows from the
4-inch gun on the port side aft, manned
by Lieut.. Dillingham; The Spaniard ig-
nored the shot; but another close to her
bows brought her to.
A prize crew under Ensign T. P. Magru-
der was put aboard Capt. Lucarraga in
command of her. was astounded. He said
he did not know that war had been declar-
ed, but when he was informed of the state
of affairs he shrugged his shoulders and
accepted the situation philosophically.
The Nashville has taken on stores and
will return to the feet, carrying Ensign
Magruder. who will be relieved by Ensign
Carlton F. Snow. A body of marines Is
pacing the deck of the SpanBard, and her
crew of tYenty-eight are lounging about
the decks In nonchalant fashion. Not a
man is in irons. According to prize laws,
Capt. Maynard will turn the prisoners Of
war over to the United States district at
torney, who will decide the question of
their disposition.
The monitor Puritan is taking on coal
and water. and will sail to join the fleet
tonight.
; On excellent authority 1t is reported that
the destination of the feet is Matanzas
On board the flagship is Capt Arangue-
rem, brother of the late Brig. Gen. Nestor
Arangueren. He will pilot the fleet to
Matanzas.
The Cuban pilots went on board last
night after 12 o'clock.
The Detroit sailed to join the feet this
afternoon.
1t is believed that one or two ships will
be left at least temporarily.
Commander Lyons of the Dolphin has
delivered to United States District Attor-
ney Stripping the papers of the Buena
Ventura, captured by the Nashville. He
will libel the ship in the usual way.
The unfortunate merchantmen is still
lying in the harbor. Her captain was al
lowed to remain on board; but the crew
of twenty-eght were taken over TO the
Dolphin and made to assist in the work of
coaling.
TIL gunboat Nashville steamed proudly
out of the harbor late this afternoon, hav-
ing achieved the first victory Of the war,
although a bloodless one.
She had gone about twelve miles when
the Dolphin signalled her to return. She
steamed back and received orders, the ma
ture of which were not dlvulged, and put
to sea again, finally to join the fleet, and
incidentally to pick up any other vagrant
ship of the enemy that happens to come
within range of her guns.
1t is reported this evening that the
Buena Ventura ran aground on a reef
about mile out and is leaking Tugs
went to her assistance and pulled her off.
Considerable mystery surrounds the af-
fair.