The evening times., 1898-07-09
SPANISH VESSEL DEsTRoYED.
How the Alforso XII Was Wiped Out
on MaFfel.

How the Alforso XII Was Wiped Out
on Mariel.
Key West. July "Details Of the ex-
citing action which resulted in the sink
ing Of the vessel supposed to be the AL
fonso XII have just come III.
The story is told by officers, and they
obtained It from the flagship. On We'd
nesday night, while the Hawk was patrol
ling OF the north esast of Pinar del Rio.
a large Spanish steamer was observed
hugging the shore and steaming rapidly
in the direction of Havana. The Hawk
fired a shot across the strangers bow and
endeavored to head her off. At the same
time she signaIed the other vessels for
assistance.
The steamer paid no attention to the
shots from the Hawk, but increased her
speed, piling on fuel, which was evident
from the dense black smoke and forks of
flame issuing from her smokestacks
plainly discernible in the bright moon
light.
Signals from the Hawk were seen by
the Castine and the Prairie, which were
also patrolling that vicinity. These ves-
sells hastened to assist the Hawk.
Meanwhile the Spaniard, which was a
vessel of more than 5000 tons, with two
tunnels and four masts, was rapidly dis
tancing her little pursuer when the Cas-
tine and the Prairie hove in sight ahead
and opened fire with their superior bat
teries. The Spaniard, seeing further ad-
vance cut OFF, and without any chance of
escape. never for u moment wavered. but
put her wheel hard to starboard and head
ed for shore, where she was beached with
in sight of Mariel. The three American
vessels stood off and kept up an incessant
firing at close range. the Castine doing
the more effective work, every shot tell
ing with destructive effect.
Three distinct explosions took place
aboard the Spaniard, evidently from her
magazine. throwing mountains of debris
nigh in the air and leaving the vessel a
complete wreck on the beach. The crew
Is believed to have been nearIv all kilie1
the few who escaped the hail of shot
and shell aboard by jumping into the sea
being drowned while attempting to reach
shore.
The government tug which lett the Gu
ban coast several hours later than ,he
gunboat has arrived here. She reports
that the monitor Amphitri.e WIS sent To
the place where the Spaniard was beacn-
ed near Mariel 20 complete the woIE Of
destruction, but retI-.lej ii last night With
the information to the commodore of
Havana that 1t was unnecessary. as the
set on fire before being finally deserted.
and was then ablaze and burned to
waters edge.
The gunboat reports that while patrol
ling OF Cardenas several days since. she
encountered the English ST eamer r'c-
toria. from Progresso fer New York.
with cargo Of hemp. The Victoria was
boarded and examined. Information IA
ing been received before her departure
from Mexico that she might attempt to
run the blockade. Nothing cOntrabf nd
being found aboard. she was permitted 10
proceed.
The gunboat- also reports that while
cruising on Tuesday last to the westward
of Cardenas she saw a large number OF
Spanish troops gatherd around what ap-
peared to be new Notifications She stood
in to safe distance and threw several
shells among the Spaniards. plowing
great burrows along the beach and max
Ing the nemy take shelter in the woods
some distance back. No attempt was
made TO return the fire..