New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-31

rise to the impression that her cargo was oe-
signed for Admiral Cerveras fleet leaving
Cardiff almost at the moment war was DEAR q:
her first destination was Porto kico. w =, '
Will be remembered. the Spanish feet was sup
posed 10 be about the date OF her ARRIVAL theie
Not finding Cervera at Porto Rico. the master
OF the collier made for Curacao, where oe''e'a
was about the 18th OF the present month
United States officials and naval ofncers mere
agree that II will be almost impossible 70 hoiu
the Restormel as prize but her arg Go,,o WI
ment. England was one OF the hrst nations 10
declare coal to be contraband. and consequent!
the owners Of the Restormel can expect niue
II any aid from the British Foreign Office The
only thing that saves the vessel ~ the TACT tha'
Santiago was not included in the blockade proc
lamation.
Interesting light is thrown on Admiral Ger
vera's plans by the log of the Restormel. She
sailed for San Juan de Porto Rico where the
Spaniards expected TO coal San Juan being
deemed unsafe. Curacao was selected but the
collier failed 10 connect with the fleet there ana
was ordered to Santiago. Owing TO her leak she
did not reach Santiago In time; the Spanlhrds
remained In port short OF coal, and so were
caught.
According to Lieutenant Pattson the capture
Of the Restormel very commonplace ar
fair. Lieutenant Pattson says:
About = o'clock last Wednesday morning the
St. Paul. scouting off Santiago Harbor. sighted
the Restormel twelve miles away. apparently
heading for the port She was going IN openly
and honestly and not skulking along shore the
ST. Paul took course 10 cut her OFF. and when
within mailing distance UTtO Il DldHh sH't 1 Hc
pursued steamer paid no attention. but she move
to Immediately when solid shot was hred
across her bows. About o'clock ! went out
with a prize crew and took possession without
protest. The captain talked frankly. saying that
ne was bound for Santiago. though he had salleo
from Cardiff April 81 for San Juan. TINS
before the declaration OF war was received.
At San Juan he was ordered 10 proceed TO Cura-
Goa. and from the latter place to Santiago de
Cuba
There never was any possibility Of her escap-
ting rC,,, hA =, Do Il harh host
eight knots. She leaking badly and her
boilers out of order I'm fact according 10
her captains account. she had been leaking for
twenty days because Of a sprung plate. and the
leakage was increasing
THE capture was made less than four miles
from Moro Castle. but the forts were silent and.
perhaps. asleep. like the San Juan forfcatons
when Admiral Sampson began his attack. The
only exciting part Of the adventure came after
we left Santiago for Key West. The leak grew
worse constantly. and all hands manned the
pumps night and day-crew marines and Off
GERS.
II have not taken off my shoes or been in bed
since we started Ave days ago. Al times we
were about to give up hope OF keeping the Re-
stormel anoat and thought Of saving ourselves
II she went down. We were all very glad when
Key West was sighted. The story that there
were Spanish officers aboard the ship is false
but there is no resisting the conclusion that thu
Restormevs coal was intended for the Spanish
fleet. for the captain told a perfectly straight
forward story about his voyage"
When the Restormel arrived here II was be-
Eeved 10 would Re necessary 10 beach her. to take
out her coal on lighters. then repair the leak and
raise her but later II practically decided 10
tow her TO the Government dock and unload the
cargo there.