The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-06-07
CAPTURE Of The CALLAO
INTERESTING INCIDENT IN THE
BAY OF MANILA.
A Spanish Gunboat Returning From a
Sixteen Months Cruise Learns that
War has Been Declared.

MANILA, May lathe most inter-
esting incident since the ombard-
ment, except for the raising of the
admiral's flag, came on the morning
of Thursday. May 18th.
The Spanish gunboat Callao had
been cruising for sixteen months in
and around the southern Philippine
Islands. She steamed into the harbnr
on Thursday morning, coming up be-
tween Corregidor Island and the
mainland, and headed for Cavite with
the Spanish colors flying, wholly un-
conscious of danger. She did not er-
en- know that war had been declared.
Not until the unsuspecting gunboat
was fred upon by the Raleigh, Bos-
ton and Olympia did she realize what
had happened. She was taken-thirty
men and four guns.
The stars and stripes waving from
every vessel must have been plainly
seen by the stranger. but she did not
hesitate. Her course was straight on
toward Cavite.
Signals were passed and the Raleigh
moved out TO intercept the stranger.
The Callao did not slacken speed and
'iit S'iN Il ShoN hNloSS lltl
bow. Ignoring this. the Spanish boat
held its way to Cavite. with all sig
nails hving. AS she showed no nten-
ton of stopping, the Raleigh then in
creased her speed. and steamed for
her. and fired several shells, none Ia
king effect.
The flagship. which had been wat
ching this strange performance. got Il
long range, and opened with six poun-
ders. The Boston sent an eight inch
shell Just in the rear of the vessel.
Shots were dropping all around the
adventurous Spaniard. but she made
no response. When the heavy firing
was directed towards her she hauled
down the Spanish flag and hoisted a
white flag at the foremost, but did
not slacken her speed. still holding a
steadfast course toward Cavite with
out deviating to get out of the way
of the American squadron. We who
were watching her foolhardy advance
believed that the commander was eth
er stark mad or else had determined
to commit suicide in the most pictur-
esque manner possible IT was real
ly inspiring to see this Spanish midg-
es charging boldly toward our great
fleet.
When the white flag failed to check
the firing and the shells from the big
Olympia and the Raleigh threated de-
struction at any moment. the Span
lard came to a sudden stop. The fir
ing then ceased. the white flag being
accepted as token of surrender.
\ small boat was lowered and the
captain went to the Raleigh AS he
clambered up the side of the Ameri-
can cruiser and met Captain Coghlan
he learned for the first time that war
had been declared and that he and his
command We're prisoners of war He
was surprised and sorrow stricken. 1t
seemed that his spectacular entrance
to the hay had been inspired by ig-
norance rather than courage.
After these first words of eXplana-
ton CAPTAIN Francisco Pou of the CAL
lao looked toward Cavte and asked:
where is the Spanish feet?"
"There is no Spanish fleet" replied
Captain Coghlan. at has been de-
stroyed."
The commander of the Callao was
result of the engagement of Nav 1st.
iie coluuc'eu himself WITH dignity
although the men of his command
were badly frightened when they
found themselves in the hands of the
enemy.
She carried crew of twenty-four
natives and six Spaniards. including
the officers. All these were given per-
sonal possession of their small arms
and rifles and sent ashore at Cavite,
from which point they hoped to reach
Manila.