The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-12
TOOK THEIR PRIZE
CREW OF THE BANCROFT HAS A
SAVAGE FIGHT
One Man Killed-Deeds of Bravery
That Rank With the Best-Gal-
liant Fight Throughout

KEY WEST, Fla, Aug. II, 1890 p. m.-
One more name has been added to the small
list OF the navy's war victims. Emanuel
kourouris, coal passer on the gunboat
Bancroft, was shot and instantly killed
during sharp engagement with Spanish
rifemen at point of land jutting In Cortis
Bay, on the south coast of Pinar del Rio on
August End. 1t is not known how many
spaniards lives paid for his, but the Span
ish loss was undoubtedly severe. The Ban
croft was cruising about Cortis Bay on
blockade duty when sail was seen close
to the land about ten miles to the north
ward. The gunboats steam launch was
armed with one-pounder and Lieutenant
Henry b. Wilson with fourteen men, all
carrying rifles, was sent In to intercept the
stranger. She turned out TO be a Spanish
schooner. When first observed the Span
lard lay near the wreck of the Santo Do
mingo, recently sunk by the Eagle. BY
the time the steam launch reached that
point the schooner had worked into port
and party of Spaniards, including a body
OF soldiers, was attempting to haul her
ashore. The launch stood boldly in and a
brisk fire from her one-pounder speedily
scattered the crowd The Spaniards took
In spite of the fact that the party in the
launch was ignorant of the enemy's
strength, the Americans went ahead with
their work with admiral coolness
James Munroe, a first-class apprentice,
swan to the schooner and made line fast
to her In order TO pull her out. At the same
time Waldemar Hohengren, an ordinary
seaman, dropped over the side Of the
launch and made for pier where small
boat was moored. The launch then COM
menced to haul off the schooner, but the
line parted and while another was being
run to her the Spaniards, who had sought
shelter in the woods, poured in a murde-
rous rifle fire. Kouroruis, who was lean
ing over the side of the launch. was shot
through the breast and fell dead. For
tunately no one else was even injured. In
stantIy the men in the launch began a
rapid return of fire with their rifles, while
Lieutenant Wilson Unanswered the launch
so as to take line thrown by Hohengren
from the small boat which he had showed
off from the pier. Her bow was pulled out
and the one-pounder was opened on the
ambuscade with such well-directed aim
that the Spaniards were routed without
a chance to return the American fire. The
schooner had in the meantime gone hard
aground and being so damaged as to be
almost useless enough shells were sent into
her to finish her destruction. She was
loaded with green corn, grain and rum.
Commander Clover warmly praised the
gallantry of the launch party, which did
not falter under heavy fire, but directed
all it's energies to rescuing Hoengren. who
was alone on the wharf and In perlous
situation
kourouris was buried at sea the same
afternoon. Among his effects was found
letter to his father, addressed to the Isle
of Siphanto, care of the United States Min
lister at Athens, Greece.
The next morning the Bancroft started
for Sigunea Bay. where the gunboat Maple
had gone to blockade and sound out
passage. On August 4, Commander Glover,
who was senior officer there, transferred
his flag to the Maple, while the Bancroft's
boilers were undergoing repairs. He took
the launch with him under Ensign Vogel-
sang. still armed with her one FOUNDER.