The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-10
IN THEN lex OF TINE.
How ,h. Cruiser New Orleans Frustrated
Ii, Attempt OF a spanlsii Torpedo iioat'

Nav tho Cruiser New Orleans rrastra,sdj
N, Attempt ola spanisii torpedo Ilost
elbow mp the fiset s9e-
copyright, 1895. by tho Associated Press.)
OFF SANTIAGO De CUBA. satur-
Day, June IA p. m.--yia Kingston.
Jamaica, Monday, June c,-s a. ni.--Thc
arlpg by the New York and New Or
leans, br!eny reported last night, was
directed against Spanish torpedo boat
destroyer. probably the Juror or the
pu,on. Tho character Of sthe enemy
MS not definitely known Until the next
nav when the torpedo boat Porter found
ito loaded torpedoes floating or shore.
SIther of them had been discharged,
One sank: but the other was hauled on
hoard the Porter. II exactly fitted the
Inscription OF the .torpedoes carried by
he pluton and Furor. II IS believed
,Se torpedo boat destroyer. escaped. She
WA seen by the New Orleans when too
ar away to do any damage and the
heavy fire must have driven her hack.
When the New York arrived she would
have had time to stink along the shore
md back into the farbor. y.
The daring attempt OF the Spaniards
which was fortunately frustrated by the
vigilance OF the New Orleans lookout Is
,Se first instance OF its kind lInce tho
beginning OF the war. It Illustrated how
tari II Is to,hit q smlll object at night.
As seen from the flagship the scene
was brilliantly dramatic. The New
York was lying several miles to The east
q MORO castle. The New Orleans WAS
On her starboard hand. close In shore,
ready 10 pounce upon any craft which
might attempt to steal out under the
rhldOw OF the hills.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the New Or
tans flashed her private signal. It was
answered by the flagship and in q few
seconds colored lights sprang UP into
The darkness from the New Orleans
deck. They signifled that the enemy
was In sight. A little later she burned
another colored light. This meant that
hostile torpedo boat was approaching.
although later, Captain Folger, OF the
New Orleans; was not certain whether
THIS was correct. Instantly, the semi
circle OF biockading ships flashed night
signals. For six or seven miles. east and
west OF the harbor, they tw!nkled bril-
lantly In the darkness and then went
out. Simultaneously. flashes Of fire shot
from the New Orleans sides.
On board the flagship meE and OIL
GERS had scrambled out OF their hunks
and tammocks, In response 10 the call
10 general quarters" They stood IN
groups on deck. around the guns. watch
ing the short, sharp flames which show
Cd the activity OF the New Orleans rapid
fire battery.
The flagship was then too far away to
hear the sound OF the firing or see Its
object.
The New Orleans kept. her brilliant
tearchl!ghts playing In all directions and
other ships near her did the same.
On the decks OF the New York the
marines were crouched down.; peering
.r.o the darkness with their rifles on
their knees, watching for the sailors
mos. dreaded enehny-the tprpedo boat.
The lookouts were In every conceivable
spot and guns were trained In the direc-
ton where the New Orleans seemed to-
be firing. Every now and again sparks
and red fire few up In the distance.
marking the explosion of shells. Many
persons then thought they were eSplod-
Ing on torpedo boat, but. to-day,it Is
believed that they found their mark on
shore. The moon, which had been hid.
On behind the clouds came out at about
Il o'clock. The New York was then
STAINING at full'speed towards the shore
10 head of. II possible, the retreat OF the
enemy into the 1iaroor. 5Tfs
TIE evolutions had to be carried on
with great.care. to avoid getting in line
Q. FIRE from the other American chips.
On shore, a few sparks close to dark
object showed where the shells struck.
The four Inch and six FOUNDER guns
allowed suit and for few minutes 4
sharp fire, was kept up. The boom OF the
0regon's biz guns was twice heard 10
The eastward.
Cease firing'w was then sounded. The
sslrchiights failed to reveal the pres
tace OF the enemy and nothing but the
hare coast could be seen.
I After careful. search the New York
s;eamed back to her station and the men
( went back to their hamnocks.
There had been no firing from the forts
sni accounts differ as 10 whether the
torpedo boat did or did not fire.
= d. r. . Y