The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-18
AGAINST HEAVY ODDS
FIGHT OF THE MANGROVE IN THE
HARBOR OF CAIBARIEN.
Two Spanish Gunboats and the Shore
Batteries Engaged by One Poorly
Armed American Vessel.

KEY WEST, Fla, Aug. H.-Further de-
tails have been received here as to the bonn
bardment of the port of Caibarien, on the
north coast of the province of Santa Clara,
Cuba, last Sunday, by the Mangrove. The
Mangrove left here last week to protect the
landing of an expedition under Colonel
Bosas, which had gone ahead of the schoon-
ers Adams and Dellie. When the Mangrove
reached Santa Maria key, near Caibarien,
she found the Cuban party had safely dis
embarked, but feared to advance because
of the presence of the Spanish gunboat Her
nan Cortes and smaller gunboat, which
were evidently making Caibarien their base.
On Saturday afternoon the Mangrove an
chored at Key Francis, just outside Caiba-
rien, and as she lay there the Herman Cortes
came out and ran around the key to get a
peep at the Mangrove, scurrying back into
the harbor as soon as she saw she was dis
covered. The Mangrove followed as far as
the shoal water would permit, but could
only get about half way in the harbor.
The next morning Captain Stuart. the
commander of the Mangrove decided to
have shot at the gunboats. He was alone
and the odds against him were heavy, but
he did bold thing. Sounding her way, inch
by inch, the Mangrove crept along the
channel, drawing eight feet of water in an
average depth of eight and half. until
about O'Clock she sighted both the Spanish
gunboats. The Herman Cortes was an
chored near the shore, about a thousand
yards to the right of the town. with her
broadside to the sea- The small gunboat
lay at the wharf. The Spaniards evidently
were anticipating battle. The shore was
crowded with Spaniards, citizens and SOL
i. Ill k11<k
commanded a view of the harbor was lib
orally covered with people anxious to see
the fight The Herman Cortes carried two
4.7-inch guns and four one-pounders, while
her smaller companion was armed with
three one-pounders and Hotchkiss rapid
fire gun. The crews of both, numbering be-
tween seventy-five and one hundred men,
could be seen on the decks. Ashore were
several one-pound field pieces, while the
Spanish troops were armed with Mauser
rifles.
The Mangrove, whose entire battery con-
sists of only two six-pounders, worked into
a range of 3,6G0 yards. The channel was so
marrow that only one gun could be tred at
time. At 10:45 a. m. she got up her port
gun at the Herman Cortes. The shot fell
short Instantly the whole shore line burst
into flame, both gunboatS and the field
pieces pouring in a heavy FIRE upon the
American vessel Every shot of this volley
struck the water ahead of the Mangrove,
which continued pumping away at her port
six-pounders She concentrated her fire on
the Herman CorteS, and the next five or six
shots fell on the Spaniard's deck between
the bow gun and amidships, scattering
body of men, Some of the latter must have
been killed, although the Spaniards later de-
MED that they suffered any loss. For while
no Spanish gun was fired, but soon The
Spaniards got the Mangroves range and a
veritable avalanche of shot and shell was
hurled at her. 1t was marvellous that the
loss of life was not heavy. Shells from the
big guns of the Herman Cortes dropped
within twenty feet of the tug, several purst-
ing, and the fragments chipping bits off her
hull. Others went whizzing through her
shrouds and Mauser bullets peppered the
surrounding waters like a summer shower.
In the very midst of all this, and while
the Mangrove Was swinging cautiously
around to bring her starboard gun into play,
the watch shouted flag of truce and sure
enough, not only one but three white flags
could be seen, one flying from the small
gunboat and two from the government
houses on shore. The Mangrove acknowl-
came out with a Spanish officer, who clam
bered aboard the MansrOve and in exceed
ingly nervous tones announced: Peace is
proclaimed and have instructions for your
mander of this district He added that
during the engagement the Spanish author
tiles in Ca!barien had wired the military
commander of the district that the Ameri-
can ships were bOmbarding the port and
that immediate response had been received,
informing them that peace had been re-
stored and the firing should cease.
The Spanish crew of the small boat which
brought this officer to the Mangrove said
the Spaniards had not lost a man, but the
fight, which had lasted an hour and ten
minutes. AS the Mangrove was creeping her
way out of the narrow channel she went
aground and lay there nve hours. Had the
same mishap befallen her during the en-
gagement the chances are that she would
have been caDtured.