New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-29
THE ROATH AT NEWPORT NEWS
SHE TOOK COAL TO THE SPANIARDS-
NEWS OF OTHER VESSELS.

Newport News Va. June 2s Cspcc!aD. Tn
British mship Roaih, owned and operated h'
the same company that owned the STEAMSHIP
Restormel which captured b. the cruiser
s.. Paul while making an effort 20 carry Goa 70
Cerveras fleet at Santiago. arrived here this morn
ing from New-Orleans for coal and VIII sail q,
daybreak for Rotterdam with cargo
There Is an interesting story In Connection with
the Roath in view Of tho fact that she was also
sent with a cargo Of coal for the Spanish feet
Captain Sprau is authority for this statement. and
relates an interesting account q his trip from
Cardiff to San Juan.
The Roath and Restormel sailed from Cardiff.
Wales on the same day both bound fer San Jua;
with coal that had been bought by agents OF the
Spanish Government. Having better fortune 10
some unaccountable reason. the Roath left the
Restormcl behind and was the first 10 arrive ~
San Juan getting in several days ahead OF he
sister ship This was on the day afte: the BON
bardment OF the city and forts by the warshps
of Admiral SIMPSONS squadron. All Of the mouse
colored ships drawn UP 10 the west OF tn
entrance 10 the harbor The Roath carried the
British flag and boldly sailed past the fleet. no
attempt being made TO stop her.
AS the collier entered the harbor tho Spanish
forts opened fire on her. but only one shell took
effect exploding between the decks. While con
siderable damage done. Il was not sufficiently
extensive 10 interfere with the propulsion OF tn
ship. On arriving at the docks the Governor Gen
era would not permit he coal TO be unloaded there
and instructed Captain Sprau TO appear before him
The Official Informed the master that the Spansh
armada under Admiral Cervera. which was ex
pected put in AT San Juan bad passed by. and
tried induce him 10 take the coal TO Santiago. 70
be delivered there. The captain. however. refused
TO consider any such proposition, whereupon the
coal was unloaded. and he proceeded TO New
Orleans. On this trip he held up i've times
by warshps and the monitor Amplitude fred sew
era solid shots at his ship OF Havana without
first ordering him TO stop. At San Juan. the cap
tain says. twenty thousand tons OF coal were stored
while he was there. This was intended Cor the
Gals were much surprised that the ships ola noi
stop there He says he cannot account for his
brother officer the Restolmel chasing the squad
he did unless he received large bonus
There were five Spanish gunboats and torpedo
boats in the harbor when ~ arrived San Juan.
but they did not venture outs de
The British steamship Honiton sailed from this
port dayhreak this morning loaded with coal 10
be landed az ST Lucia. in the West Indies II was
a first said that this fuel was intended for Vera
the United States warships. which Will receive It
from 81. Lucia. a Danish possession,
The United States ram katahdin arrived IN
Hampton Roads this morning at o'clock from
Apache and Is taking on coal. She arrived here
with hardly bushel Of coal in her hunkers. Com
ma nder Wilde has as yet received no orders ABOUT
leaving the Roads FOR The south
II Is learned tonight that General Hashrouck
went TO Jacksonville last night instead OF 10 Camp
Alcer and vii. report TO General Lee
The distilling ship Iris viii he ready 70 leave the
Navy Yard for Santiago Saturday. Her boiler tubes
have been put in and all Of her distiing apparatus
Is complete
shin is now being converted from n cargo ship
The Niagara is ready 10 sail.