The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
RAN INTO THE HERO.
Torpedo Boat Ericsson Damaged
While ON Patrol Duty.

Torpedo Boat Ericsson Damaged
While ON Patrol Duty.
KEY WEST, Fla. April 19-The United
States torpedo boat Ericsson met with an
accident at , o'clock this morning. She
was patroling about ten miles off Sand
key, in the gulf. when she colided with
the station pilot boat Hero. The latter had
no lights displayed, and the torpedo boat,
which was going at rapid rate. came upon
her without warning. The bowsprit of the
pilot boat swept the Ericsson amidships
and knocked over the ventilators and upper
work of the torpedo boat. Ensign l.. A.
Bostwick was struck on the head and bad
~ cut. He was taken to the Marine Hos
pital. The bowsprit of the Hero was car
ried away and she suffered damage on her
port side The injury on the Ericsson will
not interfere with her usefulness. Her COM
mander says he is ready to sail al any mo-
ment
The news Of the passage of the joint reso-
luton through Congress was received here
early this morning and created feeling of
intense satisfaction, coupled with much
excitement. A copy of the dispatch was
sent to Captain Sampson, in command of
the fleet, by: a special boat. The news was
soon known aboard the ships lying in the
inner harbor. The officers began sending
their personal belongings ashore and the
ships were stripped of whatever superf1uous
articles remained. All the work in progress
is being rushed to a finish, and little or
nothing remains to be done which would de-
lay the fleet for a moment.
The Cuban colony here is in high state
of elation. All day groups of excited patriots
discussed the possibilities, while others
marched through the streets shouting Gu
ba Hbre!'
a high naval official, discussing the stu
alton to-day, said Spain cannot surren-
der without at least one fight. She must
make a show of resistance, in order to APP
pease her people at home. l suppose she
now will be given twenty-four hours or
forty-eight hours notice to get out, but
personally think five minutes is all she
should get, and that the feet should be sent
to Havana forthwith, so that the Spanish
troops may evacuate the island under our
guns
The naval plan of action, it is, understood,
has been finally and definitely decided upon.
1t involves the blockade of Cuba, but not
bombardment of Havana. The blockade
VIII involve no engagements 1t is expected,
except the accidental encounters which,
more or less, are bound to occur. The senior
naval officers of the fighting squadron be-
lieve that Spain is playing a clever game
in concentrating her entire naval forces at
a distance from the immediate scene of ac-
ton. Captain Sampson. Captain Evans, of
the Iowa. and Captain Taylor, of the In
diana, had consultation this afternoon on
the flagship New York and then
ashore. Subcaliber target practice was TAX
en- up during the afternoon.
Wherever the eye turns tonight it is met
by the colors of cuba libre. Invariably the
stars and stripes float above the insurgent
ensign and here and there a new broom sur
mounts all, signifying that Spain will be
swept from the sea. Throughout the entire
day the ''vivas' of patriotic Cubans have
sounded through the town, and there have
been professions of more or less dignity i'll
every part. This afternoon some 200 Cubans
headed by a brass band, marched through
the streets and halted in front of the hotel.
After Serena0e of American national airs
cheers were given for President Mckinley
and the newspapers of the United States.
Several prominent Cubans made addresses
itude to America and joy at the near pros
pect of freedom for Cuba. The procession
then marched to the cable office, where the
following message was sent to President
Mckinley: "A thousand Cuban volunteers
at Key West offer services under the United
States flag" This was signed u. S. Gown,
Major"
Active steps will be taken to form a reg
iment To-day has been Cuban holiday.
The schools have been closed and the
streets crowded with excited groups discuss
ing the situation. For the first time the flag
made to bear the Cuban flag, and when. the
banner was raised Cuba libre'' rang out
from every throat a number of demonstra-
lions are in progress tonight. Word for the
movement for the fleet on Havana and the
transportation of troops for Cuba is ex-
it will find no delay here. All day war
ships have been making final preparations
for action and few of the officers have been
ashore.