Evening star., 1898-05-06
A DANGEROUS ADVENTURE.
Accident That Nearly Put n Stop to
War PhOtographer's Work.

Az .
From Golfers Weekly
A few days ago Admiral Sampson desired
photographs of a portion of the Cuban
coast. There were enough cameras at Key
West to take pictures. at one and the same
time, of all portions of the Spanish domin-
ions, yet mine seemed the only one spe-
cialy adapted to the purpose. so 1 was Sc
lected for the duty, and was soon under
way on a powerful ocean tug, on which
were also two veteran newspaper men, VINO
already had taken their lives in their hands
several times and seemed to enjoy such ex-
periences. 1t Is small wonder that on our
way over to the Cuban coast we hummed
national airs and sang patriotic songs. For
weeks We had been waiting at Key West,
living on the excitement and waiting for
something to occur. But now that war had
been practically declared, our party was
the first to go on such mission; so we felt
that we must and would do what was ex-
pected of us, no matter what difficulties We
might have to overcome. Our start was
late, and we steamed steadily until the
lights of MORO Castle appeared: then we
skirted the shore to the westward, hoping
to pick up some friends who had ventured
into the interior to make observations. An
appointment had been made with them to
meet us at a point about fifteen miles west
of Havana. 1t was a lovely starlight night:
the sea was as calm as the proverbial mill
pond. and while one of the party flashed
lantern to attract the attention of the ex-
hand, to time the flashes, according To
the signals previously agreed upon. Sud-
denly 1 felt obliged to remark:
How near We are to shore." Simulta-
neouSly another member of the party OBJ
served:
See how that land looms out ahead.'
Hardly were the words out of his mouth
when the boat seemed of our own opinion,
for 1t touched bottom near the shore.
Back her, captain! Back her! back herr
shouted one of the party. But the impetus
was too great to be stopped suddenly, so we
continued to bump along until We were
fairly grounded.
Here was predicament indeed. Any mo-
ment Spanish sentry might discover us
ana give an alarm. for we were not more
/ than 100 yards from the shore and easily
In range of their guns. Or any moment a
Spanish gunboat patrolling near the beach
might discover us and gather us in, cam
eraS included: and as the penalty for pho
tographing in the enemy's country just now
Is to put 1t mildly. very severe, the pros
poets were not at all pleasing. On the stern
OF the boat we had about thirty tons of
coal In bags. which had been taken in read
mess for longer trip: orders were given to
all hands to throw the coal overheard when
1t was learned that the boat did not answer
to her propeller. / have done many kinds
of work in my life, but this was my first
experience at coal-heaving. There was not
moment to lose: SO. doff1ng our coats, we
went at 1t, and after a very little while we
could have been easily taken for profess
stonal coal-heavers. Oh, how heavy those
bags were, and how dirty and grimy we
got! But We dared not spare time even to
| complain.
| AS the boat gave no sign of moving. the
captain ordered the remainder of the coal
to be taken forward, hoping that 1t would
act as lever and raise the stern little.
30 forward we dragged coal bags until we
were ready to drop from exhaustion But
! all to no purpose; finally we had to throw
1t overheard, thereby making double work
An anchor was cast out astern and a block,
n =
but the boat refused to bulge. Meanwhile
the f1remen were nearly overcome with the
fearful heat made by getting the boilers up
to the highest steam capacity
Finally we saw signs of daybreak and we
| knew we should be observed, so we decided
that the only way to give the crew a plaus-
ible excuse, If captured. was for US three
| newspaper men to take to the boat and
take our Photographic apparatus, charts,
! plates. etc. with US. Consequently my
camera, plates, ETC.. were lowered, and we
and, with the best wishes Of the crew for
! our safety. we showed of. 1.-THE night is
| darkest just before dawn"-ft was very
dark for all hands of us. fguratively speak
| ing. We hardly knew what to do. The
crew might possibly be able to get her off
before being discovered. and we hoped they
could then overtake us; in the meantime,
! however, we might be seen by some Span
ish vessel, and could offer no resistance
! We had only gone little distance when
| the advisability of throwing the cameras
1 oVerDoard was discussed: the boat was
| small and they were in the way to say
| nothing Of the increased weight of them
| and their belongings. As they were not my
| own personal property I mildly protested,
but agreed to lose them II so ordered Sud-
denly one of the two men who had been de-
| tailed to row us exclaimed:
! shes Offr Straining our eyes, we could
not agree with him. but at last the move
| ment was unmistakable. We quickly turned
| our boat in the direction of the tug, which
| also made for us, and most effusive were
| the greetings that were exchanged when
| we reached her. There was no water with
| which to wash the coal dust from our
| hands and faces, for the water had been
run out of the tanks to help tighten ship
but not one Of US complained; we made
haste to turn in for an hour or two Of Sleep
After running out to sea eight or nine
/ miles we LAY to- for an hour or two to al
low the sun to get well up to the proper al
| tftude for good photography, and at noon
we returned to the neiehborhood of our ad-
venture of the previous night: and while
photographed my associates took observa-
/ tions and the mate took soundings, and the
/ purposes Of the expedition were success
| fully accomplished.
| VIII Have to stand 1t.
Prom the Chicago Record.