Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-26


the Torpedo Boats and Tugs of
the Fleet-Hauled Up and Made
TO Go Through the Formally OF
search and Examination First
Shot of the War by Spain, Fired
at the Torpedo 9oat, Foote, at
Matanzas.
On Board the Associated Press Dis
match Boat DauntIess, Matanzas, Island
Of Cuba via Key West, Fla, April 25.
TIP a. m-1he United States torpedo
heat Foote. Lieutenant w. L. Rodgers,
commanding has the honor of being
the target for the first shots fired by
during the war just begun. The firing
occurred between 5 and 6 o'clock on
Saturday afternoon while the torpedo
boat was taking soundings in the har-
b0r OF Matanzas. -
She was within 200 or 800 yards of
the shore. Suddenly a Spanish masked
battery on the east side of the harbor
and not very far distant from the Foote,
fired three shots at the boat They all
went wide of the mark and the Foote
returned leisurely to the Cincinnati,
where she reported the result of her
sqnndings and then announced she had
baen fred on. The Cincinnati was
anxious to steam instantly and reduce
the Spanish batteries, but she was not
permitted to do so.
No CAPTURES are reported by the feet
off Matanzas
ii is alleged that two Spanish gun
boats were seen in-shore, but the re-
port could not be verified
Between and 10 o'clock last night
the Associated Press dispatch boat
Dauntless. steaming quietly towards
lIatanzas. whose lights were reflected
on the sky a few miles southeastward,
a large fire on shore was exciting COM
ment on board the dispatch boat and
wonder was rife as to where the Uni
ted States bl0ckading fleet was to be
found. Suddenly lookout on board
the dispatch boat reported: Torpedo
boast Astern, coming up fast
4 moment or so later, by her lights,
two red and one green, and by a
rocket which she sent up. the torpedo
beat Dupont was made out The rock
Ell was answered by the glare from two
searChlights on board the cruiser Gin
cinnati, the beams being thrown full on
the Dauntless and on the Dupont The
dispatch boat OF the Associated Press
had come, unawares. within three
miles of the Cuban shore, and far in
side the prescribed limits. What fol-
lowed was short, sharp and warlike.
The Dupont ran up TO the dispatch
boar and hailed her: What boat is
tha-?'
Before answering the hail, it was I'M
derstood that there came an order from
The magaDhone saying: Keep out Of
this. Keep out the six mile line or you
will get a shot through you"
After further colloquy much more
friendly in tenor, as the Dupont learned
our peaceful mission, we were directed
10 proceed slowly towards the Cincin-
nati, and we were also advised to use
caution as otherwise, it was added,
trouble would befall us
The Dauntless proceeded slowly, but
it seems not slow enough, and the glare
of the cruisers searchlights fell on
Captain Floyd. The first intimation
that we were in too close proximity to
the Warships was contained in the re-
port of a six FOUNDER Then came a
quick hail: "Heave to Dauntless.'
Then came the order: Back her.
Back her. or you will get a shot
through you"
She was backed
Then the Dupont stole up, quietly re-
porting to the Cincinnati:
lhls Is the boat we sighted in
shore
\ voice from the Cincinnati replied:
VERY good; we will send boat on
board of her"
All this time the glare of the cruisers
seafchilghts on the Dauntless was al
most intOlerable.
soon afterwards a boat from the Gin
cnnati pulled by six oars. with En-
sign Mcintyre in the stern sheets, came
alongside. The first order was: your
papers and log, please"
these were produced and were found
10 be satisfactory. Then sure of cor
oaI relations being assumed we found
we had transgressed far within the
'lmltS set for vessels, and had had a
cose shave OF being fred on with shot.
we exchanged news, and the Cincin-
hatI having ordered the Dauntless to
Jay TO- permission was requested to re-
urn TO Key West Ensign Mcintyre
saying he would transmit the request to
lde Cincinnati. Before leaving the
Damtess the cadet made the following
entry IN the log of the dispatch boat:
At o'clock boarded by Naval Cadet
H. NJ. Mcintyre, of u. S. S. Cincinnati.
ana Captain was informed that they
were not to enter any Cuban port I'M
GER penalty of being fired upon. Boat
AiSt first report to outside squadron
ana obtain permission before entering
any port"
ne Cincinnati was also Informed that
,he Dauntless would cheerfully take
paek any mail In ten minutes boat
'ourned with this message:
captain Chester's compliments. and
W. W. Wlll be obliged if you will take in
1'S mail. You can go. Advise that
."u steam due west six miles when
you make your first course, or you may
~ INTO more trouble"
he instructions were obeyed literally
"l0 The Dauntless set off on her re-
ulFh' Before she had gone six miles
saw a torpedo boat astern, evidently
.1'P!ng an eye on us. Then we saw
t Nlnclnnati's searchlights sweep the
soIllon. and soon afterwards we heard
,olf shots in quick succession. AS they
le not followed by others, we pre-