New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-11

HER PURsUERs HOWEVER. WE'RE c1iECKMATED
BY THE MACHrAs AND FORCED. IN TURN. TO
SEEK sHEITBR-MINEs IN THE BAY.
Copyright 1898 BY I'll. Associated Pr-ss)
on board the Associated Press dispatch boat
Kate Spencer. of Cardenas. May 9, via Key
West May 1O-The little torpedo-boat Winslow
yesterday morning precipitated a naval engage
rent IN Cuban waters. On a reconnaissance in
Cardenas Harbor she drew the fire OF three
Spanish coas, guard vessels. and lively vest
pocket sea fight followed. AS the Winslow was
decidedly in the minority she ran for the open
sea, where her big station mate. the gunboat
Machias. which had been called up by the firing.
took a hand in the game with her 4-inch rifles
The Machias tossed several shells over the low
sand spit behind which the Spanish boats were
sheltered 1t was impossible to see whether
anv Of these landed but the Winsow not
touched She says however that she knocked
a few spllnters out OF the larger coastguard
boat.
The most important result OF the Winslow's
reconnaissance was the discovery that Cardenas
Harbor Is mined II there were any batteries
on shore the spanards did not think IT worth
while 10 disclose their position. That there are
mines in the channel IS important. in View OF
the report that II IS Cardenas and not Matanzas
where the landing OF the United States forces
Will finally occur.
Cardenas however. is one OF the largest bays
along the coast with the town at the southern
end From the western shore Icocas Point
reaches out Ike long index finger almost
touching Piedras Key light. which. in peaceful
DAYS. was a beacon az the harbor entrance. The
lighthouse has been in darkness and deserted
for many nights.
Feeling safe from the Abandonment o, the
lighthouse and the silent shores Of the bay. the
little Winsow crept quietly in under the early
morning haze for closer inspection OF the har-
Dor. There had evidently been lookout among
the dunes along the sand spit. for the Winslow
was allowed TO feel her way into the hareor
taking notes OF changed buoys and false marks
designed 10 lead hostile feet 10 torpedo fields.
Suddenly there was pun Of smoke from among
the rnangrove clurnps along one OF the inlets,
and A 6-pound shell screeched out OF the bushes
Crack came another from the shelter OF q tiny
key In the bay and third from further down
the coast. Then three cOastguarc boats darted
from their cover under q full head OF steam.
The Wins. ows crew Jumped % ne --pouno
ers fore and at, and let The Spanards nave II
port and .tsrboard, as they chased IN. The Ittle
unhOats came along shooting. but. AFTER me
/ usual Spanish fashion. which never hits any
thing but the adjacent scenery. Then the WIN
slow FASTENED along under four DeHs ior the
omen sea using her after gun as stern CHASER
and dehantly shooting az she went seward
The Spanish boats wasted about Sky shots
and the biggest boat. mounting a 12-pounder
kept UP the commandment as long as the Win
slow was IN range. The SQaniards, who had
rrotaflv heard TIE news from Manila were eV!
IDENTIFY as mad as nest Of hornets, and kept up
the chase until all four 81 the little craft were
rocking in the heavy swell past Piedras KEYS.
lust then there was crash and roar 20 sea
ward and the Machias bearing In under
CANOPY OF smoke. sent shell smashing into tn"
rursuine fleet The little patrol boats spun
about Ike water spiders and ran 70 shelter be
hind the sand spit. The Machias sent ,rw
shells skipping IN between the dunes, but with
what effect could not be seen.