The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-02
HAS IT'S DRAWBACKS AS WELL
AS IT'S ATTRACTIONS.
HOW TT LOOKS ON THE DAUNTLESS
A Glimpse of Havana as Given in a Recently
Struggled Letter.. The Associated
Press's Boat Prize Spain
Would like IN caniure,
Would like to Capture.

Boat of the Associated Press, midway
between Havana and Key West, Fla,
April 2S.-News gathering at sea has its
attraction but it also has its drawbacks.
Incident after incident could be written
describing how out of the semi-darkneSs
rushed long black torpedo boat, and the
hoarse order to heave to was followed
on the instant by the threat of a shot.
Then there have been times when all
steam was called for because we were
in grave doubt whether an approaching
stranger was American or Spanish, and
in no doubt at all as to what our fate
would be should the unknown vessel
prove to be n Spanish gun boat, for the
Spaniards would rather gather in the
Dauntless than almost any other craft
that sails these seas.
Off Matanzas the other night, q man
of wars man assured some of the crew
of the Dauntless that two Spanish gun
boats had escaped the blockade at Car
denas and were cruising outside, seek
ing TO capture any unarmed craft carry
ing the United States keys.
Probably the yarn was false. but its
effect on the crew was far from reas-
surfing, and it was a positive comfort
by the Indiana, ordered to heaye to and
boarded by an officer who evidently
wanted to be well assured of our iden-
tity. The big battle ship gave a sense
of absolute security and now none of the
crew believes any Spanard brave enough
TO come within Il score of miles to this
and similar instruments of protection
and of offence.
At sea, and visiting them day after
day, the personality of the war ships
grows on you and your regard is totally
different from that which you feel to-
ward the same vessels when they are in
home harbor or peacefully cruising
up and down friendly coast. If they
seem grimmer, they certainly seem
greater for defence, for honor, for sue
cess.
If any persons have the idea that the
ships of the blockading squadron off
Havana remain punched together oppo-
site the Moro and the harbors mouth,
they should at once change their no
ton. Last night the distance between
the Wilmington, on the eastern flank
and the Iowa on the western, could not
have been less than thirty miles. Look
outs in the lofty tops, with long tele-
scope glasses. can sweep the coast line
and the sea for many miles without let
ting the smallest of coasting vessels es-
cape their observation and as long as
the blockading vessels are within sig
Mailing distance, one with another, the
longer the blockade line, the more effec-
tive it is.
Results in the way of captures have
proven the truth of this. None the less
true is it, however, that Rear Admiral
Sampson could use to great advantage
ahar Of UOnIH
render the blockade absolute, and, at
the same time. relieve the crews of the
bigger ships from constant calls to
quarters These calls are harrassing and
as only one out of ten probably amounts
to anything, are apt to prove irritating
as WELL
Newspaper boats give the feet much
trouble at night 1t is unintentional, or
course. but true for all that. All the
war vessels are as dark as pitch at
night. and the correspondents boats often
run directly within the prescribed limits
of approach before they have the faintest
notion of the proximity of cruiser or
battle ship. The moon. which is rightly
waxing in power, will help greatly i'll
quick identification, but the Dauntless
recently succeeded in getting a night
order for signals which will be better
still.
Sitting near the Dauntless pilot house
recently off Ell MORO, with pair of
marine glasses that brought the saffron
bastions within n half mile, it was inn
possible to keep from specializing on the
condition of things within that city.
where for two months many OF us lived
on patience and the hope OF a lombard
ment, which, it now seems, is not to
occur. We knew as well as if we were
eye witnesses that famine is within; that
it is not confined to reconcentrados, most
of whom must be dead by this time; but,
embraces the lady of quality and her
liege lord, the professional man and his
family and the small store-keeper and
his brood, the artisan and his help-meet.
Probably as yet. the Spanish officer
and the wealthy contractor have food
enough, or the wherewithal to buy it,
even with beef at S1.5O per pound (the
last quotation reaching us). Beyond
question large majority of the Hava-
nese would welcome the bombardment
they daily expect. ii assured that when
It was over and the city in the hands of
the United States forces. food conditions
would change and the awful uncertainty
as TO what the next hour might bring
forth be resolved into certainty i'm the
crucible of action.
When night came we could 500 tbe
reflection in the city of the lights in
Parque Central and Prado We knew
AS well as if we were at the Inglaterra
Hotel that along the broader streets. the
vOluntariOs were marching and counter
marching, their officers wishing the 1.-THE
canes they are so found of and their bu
glers in vain trying to keep time to theil
own music. We hoped some of thes,
volunteers We're hungry. since they Ger
tainly deserve TO be. They are so blood
thirsty with the helpless and cowardly
when met by an armed foe.
Was the band playing on the stan,
around the statue of the great Isabelle
Probably not Even these merciful PEG
pie would scarcely be in musical moo,
when a short walk to the shore wouI,