The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-17

Capture of the GunbOat CallaO and
smnII Spanish Merchantmen.


NEW YORK May ia dispatch to the
World from Manila, Philippine islands,
dated May r. by way of Hong-Kong, May
Is. says: The Spanish gunboat Callao
steamed up the bay this morning. She came
from the Southern islands, where she has
been stationed for the past sixteen months.
Her commander, Lieutenant Francisco Pou,
did not know that war had been declared,
and had heard nothing on his way up about
the battle of Manila. He steamed straight
for Cavite, expecting to find the whole
Spanish fleet anchored there. He arrived
off Cavite at in the morning, with the
Spanish flags flying and signals for the adj
miral up. The Olympia opened fire. The
Spanish commander supposed the shots
were for target practice, and turned TO get
out OF range but continued on. The Bos-
ton and Raleigh joined the Olympia, and
their shots were soon throwing spray over
the Spanish vessels deck. Then her COM
mander began to realize that it was no joke,
and pulled down his flag. He continued on.
however, and the firing was renewed. Final
lyahe hove to with a white flag on his fore
mast and the Raleigh steamed out to in
tercept him. Lieutenant Pou went aboard
the Raleigh and the situation was explained
10 him. Then he surrendered peacefully
and the Callao was brought to an anchor
age near the flagship. She is an iron gun
boat of 2OS TONS equipped with four modern
guns and carrying a crew of thirty-five
The ship was spick and span for the adj
mirals inspection on arrival. The American
flag was promptly hoisted on the Callao,
and she was added to Admiral Dewey's fleet
She will be useful for relief work Admiral
Dewey's fleet remains stationed before
Manila iS all 1rio Hon,
with the city. The town is under COM
plete blockade Communication by water
continues uninterrupted. A strict watch is
maintained by the fleet night and day, to
prevent the possibility of an attack, al
though none is expected. Guards are main
fained at Cavite TO prevent the sacking of
the naval stores which were found to be
IN great abundance. Picket boats circle
about the fleet every night, watching for
suspicious craft. Any boat seen is made
q target for searchlights, and if it is sus-
picious it is fired upon. Monday night the
Concord discovered large row boat off
snoIe ana nred three six-pounders. The
peat quickly ran ashore. 1t is supposed to
have been a Spanish boat lying in wait for
the rebel leader Gonzales, who commands
Inc insurgents about Manila. He had gone
10 CaVlte, and it is surmised that the boat
was sent TO lie in wait and capture him
should he attempt to return.
Six war ships of neutral powers have come
INTO the bay since The battle, and five are
here new. The visitors have been the Bruix.
nrst-class armored cruiser belonging to
France; the PRINCESS Wilhelm, a second
class protected cruiser, and the Cormorant
third-class protected cruiser of the Ger
man navy; the British ffrst-class armored
cruiser Immortalite and gunboat Iinnett
and the Japanese protected cruiser ManiWa
lhe British vessel Linnett has returned to
1tong-hong. The others are here yet The
German cruiser Cormorant arrived Tuesday
night. The Raleigh saw her coming diseov-
cred her hghting tops, and promptly fired
across her bows The Cormorant stopped.
The Raleigh boarded her. made certain of
ner nationality, and allowed her to proceed
TO her anchorage. None of the vessels ar
rived in time to see the battle The foreign
naval officers are greatly interested in the
results, and are making q careful study of
, all the wrecks. They are greatly surprised
at the extent of the damage done by Adj
NnllaI Dewey S ships, the large number of
casualties on the Spanish side ana the alb
sehce or Fatalities and damage on the Amer
acan ships.
Statistics of the Spanish loss are still
nleager. The latest reports show that
the loss is greater than was at first sup
posed- According to the best information
esn.aainaDle SO far S2I We're killed and seven
Pundred injured. The first list of ships
burned and sunk was correct Small tugs
and sailing vessels have been cantured
binces but tho Callao is the only one of i'm
The Spanish Admiral Montejo is in Ma
Mia. Ills wounds are not serious. The Off
had double crews aboard, expecting that our
ships would be captured and that they
would put prize crew aboard the Ameri-
ran ships and hoist the Spanish colors The
Spaniards have not yet recovered from the
shock. They explain their defeat by saving
that they lacked target practice, that they
mad absolutely no practice for the last two
years Besides, the Americans arrived too
early IN the morning The Spaniards were
sui IN their paJamaS; they had had no cof-
Zee and could not shoot straight without
coffee.
When the Boston and Concord returned
from conveying to sea the McCulloch ON her
first trip to Hong-Kong after the battle
they stopped at Corregidor island, captured
Q gunboat and one tug and destroyed the
remaining battery and signal station The
absence OF signals resulted In the gunboat
Callao entering the bay and her capture by
the Americans.
"A careful search has been made of the
nearby rivers and harbors for war ships
or Spanish vessels. All the merchantmen
have been captured, but few were left and
they Were mostly small craft There has
been no interference with the fishing boats.
! except that they are not allowed to go to
Manila.
No attempt has been made to take pris-
oners. All the Spanish whA surrendered at
Cayite and those who were captured on the
vessels were set at liberty under parole
not TO take up arms against the United
States during the present war. Admiral
Dewey has given notice that any one break
ing the oath will be summarily dealt with
but that the liberated men will not be mo-
Tested as long as they observe the parole
No indignity has been offered TO the Span