St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-05-04
WAR NEWS.
Our Conquest of Spain's Fleet---
A Big Victory.


Prizes taken by United States Ships
The Oregon and Paris Safe. --Sun
dry Notes of the War.
Safe Return Of the Paris.
The American line steamship Paris
reached her pier safely Saturday morn
ing about 9 o'clock, thus adding one
more ship to the fighting force of oul
navy. Within brief period she will b(
the U. S. S. Yale, with navy captain in
command and navy crew abord of her
1t may be the same crew she has now
but it will belong to the navy. While
the Spanish ships were looking for her
elsewhere, as is their habit, the Paris
made the run over about 80 miles north
of the usual course in 7 days. II hours
and As minutes. 1t was an uneventful
voyage and in the matter OF weather an
unpleasant one. The incoming vessel
was the recipient of scores of salutes,
every craft with the voice in the bay
using that voice in welcome.
There were only 149 passengers in all
to come ashore, the rest OF those booked
having decided to come over on some
less. sought-after vessel. Nine came in
the first cabin and forty-two in the
second cabin. They were quickly on
shore, their baggage was hustled through
and the work of unloading the cargo be-
gun with double force of men. Besides
her general merchandise, the Paris
brought over IA cases of Maxim-Nord-
enfelt guns consigned to the Interna-
tional Navigation Company for the navy
yard in Brooklyn and sixteen cases of
heavier guns and accessories consigned
to the commandment at the yard.
The Articles Of the Decree Issued by Portugal.
The official Gazette OF Friday published
the neutrality decree Of Portugal, in the
war between Spain and the United
States. 1t is similar to the decree issued
at the time OF the outbreak OF the Franco
Prussan war, and contains six articles
as follows:-
l. Forbids the equipment ofprivateers
in Portuguese waters.
g. Forbids the entry OF privateers in
Portuguese waters.
g. Permits beligerents to make
short stay at Portuguese ports.
a.. Defines legitimate trade, as regards
belligcrents, and iorbids trading in goods
which may be considered contraband of
war.
s. Warns Portuguese and foreigners
in Portugal against actions contrary to
the security Of the state.
6. Refuses protection to any infring
ers Of the decree.
Capture Of a Big Steamer.
The United States ship Mangrove
brought the Spanish steamship Panama
into Key West last Wednesday morning
as prize. She was bound for Havana
from New York and carried supplies for
the Spanish army. The Mangrove and
Indiana will divide the prize money, no
other blockading ship having been in
sight. The Panama did not know of
blockade and showed her regular lights
The passengers at first thought the Man
grove was Spanish ship and congratu.
lated themselves. The government has
rented large house in the city for the
Spaniards on the ships captured in the
harbor at Key West. They will be kept
at government expense.
N"N ANS" Poit tUC STOOD
Paquete and the schooner Prince off |
Havana and towed them to Key West
Tuesday. The Panama is valued at
between $50 900 and $4,000 and the
cargo is worth about $4,000.
Another important capture is that |
made by the monitor Terror in taking
as prize the Ambrosia Bolivar, small |
steamer OF 124 net tons. She was bound |
from Port Limon, Costa Rca, to Cuba,
and not having heard of the war between
the United States ana Spain, was not
especially careful of approaching the
coast. Her cargo consisted of bahamas.
wine and Spanish currency to the
amount OF $4,000 When the ship was
taken in charge by the prize crew there
was only $4,000 in the ship safe, but in
searching the ship $4,000 was found
hidden away.
Almost Collision.
The storm that struck the coast last
week Tuesday made it unsafe to
use steam launches or cutters. The
heavy draught of the big war YES
sells made it impossible for them to get
into smooth waters and they had to
stand the brunt of the storm. Towards
morning as the wind increased the
Brooklyn discovered that it was in dan
gerous proximity to the Massachusetts.
A second anchor was ordered down, but
in few minutes the ship began to 20
back slowly and it was evident that
there was no hold for the anchors. The !
signal was Immediately given to prepare
to get under way.
An order from the captain, and one of
the big anchors came rafting up. and
then, in obedience to the helm, the stern
swung out and the head, partly con.
trolled by the anchor, swung in as il to
take the blow. 1t was within a few
yards of the huge battleship, and all
awaited the crash. Capt. Cook looked
over the port side of the bridge, and
then said sharply: Full speed astern."
There was clang of BELLS shiver as
the b'g engines turned, and then the
cruiser moved clear OF the Massachusetts
with barely hand to spare "Cleverly
DONE" said Commodore Schley as he
went down to breakfast.
Clever seamanship, perfect discipline
ana cool-headed judgment averted a dis
aster. This ship obeys her engines
perfectly" said Capt Cook modestly