The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-25
THEY DIDN'T EVEN STOP SIGNALLING
Splendid Discipline the Warshps While the spanards Were
Burning Powder O war-Ths
New York Was the Target

NeW IOTk was soon tearing tnTOuGn
the water at a rapidly increasing speed
and was fast leaving the squadron in
the rear. Away in the distance. close
under the mist-covered hills of Cuba,
midway between Havana and Matan-
zas, could be seen the outlines of a
large steamer headed to the eastward.
Then the cry of "A chase, a chase"
echoed fore and aft, and the officers
and crew of the New York gathered
on her decks, eagerly watching the
flagship churn through the blue water
until she was making about Is knots.
The admiral paced the foreward bridge
as calmly as II watching a potato race.
The New York gaines rapidly on the
stranger until. to the great Seiight of
all on board the cruiser, it was evident
she would cut of the steamer from es-
cape. The crew of the New York by
this time were at their stations and
the guns were loaded and trained.
When the Spanish flag was seen float
ing at the strangers stern a cry of de-
light went up from the blue jackets on
board the New York. 1t was evident
that the Spaniard was doing her best
to get away from the cruiser, and
the shore, hoping to find safety in
shallow water, where the warship
would not dare to follow her
When the Spaniard was about three
miles from the shore and about a mile
from the New York an S-inch gun from
the cruisers forward turret suddenly
belched out a stream of fire followed by
a crashing report. 1t was only meant
as a warning shot. but the steel pro-
jectile went richochcting through the
water i'm dangerous proximity to the
fleeing merchantman. The echo Of the
report had hardly died away among
Cubas hills when the Spaniard hove
to. About 10 minutes later the New
York was near her. In the distance a
few lonely-looking houses could be
seen perching on a Withholding beach.
Z. Capehart and composed of Assistant
Engineer Neall, four marines and
boats crew. all well armed, were low
cred over the side of the cruiser, and
amid exultant cheers from their COM
rades on board the New York they
pulled over to the Spaniard. which
proved to be the Pedro of Bilboa, an
excellent prize.
Scarcely had the prize crew left the
New York for their new command be-
fore blank shot was fired from a for
ward four-inch gun of the New York.
This was a signal for a steamer to the
westward to stop. The latter was sour
rying away as fast as the wind and
water would allow her. Once more the
-NS" Ioih SWiltiy cut tut WdteTS,
churning it into a foam at the stern,
and once more her four engines
throbbed as If impelled by the excite
ment Of the chase. Then again the
four-inch gun beloved out its note Of
warning. this time hurting across the
water a steel injunction to emphasize
the order to heave to. The second
strange steamer soon came to a stand
still and was boarded. But great was
the diga pnni N hna rd ha
York when it was seen that she was
flying the German flag. Ensign F. II.
Brumby. who boarded the German
craft, reported that she was a tramp
steamer. the Remus, Captain Schwar-
ner, of Hamburg, bound from Havana
to Santiago de Cuba in ballast. The
commander of the Remus said he knew
nothing Of war having been declared
by the United States and Spain. and
Ensign Brumby made the usual apol-
ogy. The Remus was then permitted to
proceed after having had a more mar
row escape than falls to the lot Of most
merchantmen.
The sun was setting. casting red, an
gry-looking rays on the desolate appear
ing hills of Cuba. when the New York
returned to the Pedro. took her in tow
and proceeded to join the squadron. The
flagship and her prize were almost of
Moro costle at p. m. and six miles OF
shore. The harbor light Of Havana
could be plainly seen from the decks OF
the flagship. which, during the after
noon. had been stripped for action and
showed no lights at all. Ensign Brumby
Joined Lieutenant Hart on board the
Pedro and the prize stood for Key West
without an escort at s p. m.
The New York then steamed TO the
northwest and eventually picked up the
squadron. In doing so a serious col
lision was narrowly averted. A news
paper dispatch boat. the Anita, unable
to distinguish the flagship In the dark
ness, attempted to cross her bows. The
New York was then under good head
way. and to the correspondent Of the
associated press, who was on the bridge.
IL seemed impossible to stop the New
York in time. The presence Of mind OF
Ensign Edie. the officer of the watch,
who signaled to reverse the engines and
at the same time blowing the signal to
close the water-tight bulkheads, saved
her. The Anita slipped by the New
York without 20 yards to spare. thanks
to the cool judgment and prompt ac-
ton of Ensign Edie.
At 3 o'clock the admiral and Captain
Chadwick had turned in for a much
needed rest.
The admiral said to the correspondent
previously: II shall not report the
blockade to the secretary of the navy
until II rs thoroughly completed. This
will probably be tomorrow"
The admiral's plucky dash with the
New York almost on the Cuban coast
and its successful end hs>- gained new
laureis for him with his already en-
thusiastic and devoted command.
During the concluding features of the