The Topeka state journal., 1898-04-25

SlheS throbbed as If impelled by the
excitement of the chase.
Then again the four inch beloved out
lts note OF warning, this time hurting
ACROSS the water a steel injunction as
emphasis to the order to heave to- The
second strange steamer soon came to
a stand still and was boarded R11t
great was the disappointment on board
the New York when it was seen that
she was flying the German flag
Ensign f. H. Brumby, who boarded
the German, reported that she was
tramp steamer, the Remus Captain
SchWarner, of Hamburg, bound from
last.
notn1ng of war having been declared by
the United States and Spain, and En-
sign Brumby made the usual apologies.
Ihe Remus was then permitted to pro-
ceeo a1ter having had a more narrow
escape than falls to the lot of mer-
chairman.
The sun was setting, casting red, ang-
~ looking rays on the desolate ap-
pearing hills OF Cuba, when the New
York returned to the Pedro, took it in
tow and proceeded to rejoin the squad
ron.
They were almost off Morro Castle
and six miles off shore. The harbor light
of Havana could be plainly seen from
the decks of the flagship, which, dur
ing the afternoon had been stripped for
action, and showed no lights at all. En-
l..
board the Pedro and the prize sailed for
Key West without an escort at 8 D.
m.
The New York then steamed to the
northwest and eventually picked up the
squadron. In so doing, a serious COLI
sion was narrowly aVerted. A neWSpa-
per dispatch boat, the Anita, unable to
distinguish the flagship in the darkness,
attempted to cross her bows The New
York was then under good headway, and
to the correspondent of the Associated
Press, who was on the bridge, it SEEM
ed impossible to stop the New York in
time.
The presence of mind of Ensign Edie,
the officer of the watch, who signalled
to reverse the engines and had them put
hard to port, at the same time blowing
the signal to close the water tight bulk
heads, saved her.
The Anita slipped past the New
York's ram with about 20 yards to
spare, thanks to the cool judgment and
prompt action of Ensign Edie.
At o'clock the admiral and Captain
Chadwick had turned in for much
needed rest. They slept in the chart
room instead of in their comfortable
cabins. The admiral said to the cor
previously: ST shall not re-
port the blockade to the secretary of
the navy until it is thoroughly estab-
lished. This it is likely will be tomor-
row."
The admirals plucky dash with the
New York almost on to the Cuban
coast and it's satisfactory termination,
have gained new laurels for him, with
his already enthusiastic and devoted
During the concluding fea-
lures of the boarding of the PedroS, the
Remus, the rest of the United States
squadron had disappeared from view
and there was no one to dispute the
honor with the New York, of the first
capture in Cuban waters. A newspa-
per boat followed her but was left far
behind in the race.
The Dauntless, despatch boat of the
Associated Press, was the first to ar
rive on the scene of the action. She
came up just as the prize crew of the
Pedro was embarking on board that
steamer. The entire plan of action here
Is fraught with danger, not so much
from the Spanish guns as from the diff
fculties of maneuvering a large squad
ron at night without showing any lights
to the enemy on shore. Speculation is
rife as to what the Spaniards are do
ing and as to what they intend to do.
It is not believed Admiral Sampson will
-onfine himself entirely to a blockade
Of the island, although he informed
The correspondent that he did not ex-
oect any action to occur in the immedi-
ate future. 1t is certain however that
some movement will be made on Man
,anzas probably tomorrow.
Whether this will be simply in the
nature of a blockade, or for the pur-
pose of securing a base of supplies can
lot yet be ascertained with any degree |
IF assurance.