The evening times., 1898-05-14
MADE THE BOYS DANCE
Experience Of the Morrill, on
the Blockading Station.
DoDGIyG SPANISH SHELL
Private Letter From Capt. smith to
Capt. shOemaker-A Graphic De-
of BlockadsnR-Some Hairbreadth
Escapes-Good Gunnery at Havana

The following graphic and lively de-
scription of life on the tlockading squad
ron Off the Cuban coast was received
yesterday in a private letter from Capt.
H. d. Smith. commanding the revenue
cutter Morrill,. to Capt. Shoemaker. chief
Of the revenue cutter service, in this
city.
Morrill, on Havana, May T. 1898.
MY Dear Shoemaker:
Il have time to send but few hasty
lines.
THE Morrill, has been very much in it,
since joining the blockading squadron.
Some of my command are receiving their
first introduction into actual warfare.
Last evening about 6 o'clock, my station
was directly off Havana. cruising in COM
pany with the L. S. S. Vicksburg, with
orders to keep 'inshore' of said vessel.
yicksburg kept crowding me in TIL
| could see flag and sentineis OF MORO
Castle We were about three miles from
Cabanas batteries. consisting OF TWO Il
inch and four 6-inch Krupps, two Nor
denfelts: the others were four 6-inch and
six S-inch.
..WelI. they let go just as / was get
ting n cup of tea-and | let go the tea.
iumped on deck and followed Nicksburg
In hauling offshore- Shots came All
around u.s. but none hit us.
This morning the two of US were ehas-
ing a schooner. ] was inshore, OF course
and l was edged off directly under the
Santa Clara batteries, the strongest of all,
consisting of TWO Pinch krupps, three
l0-inch Armstrong;, three S-inch and two
rapid-fire rifles
..The Vicksburg let go at the schooner
and the battey opened in earnest Inc
first shell passed between my pilot house
rhE hffat loo a
felt the wind of the shot. 1t burst ten
feet on our port side. Immediately came
another bursting just opposite the en-
yine room and filling il with smoke. The
Vicksburg was running o1shore l was
still holding my course and made signal
to return fire. i let go with my four-inch
and things were warming up beautifully
and then / hauled off 10 get out OF range.
The shrapnel were as thick as bees, but
the boys stood Il very well. But the
schooner got away.
Il was hit in the forward part of the
house.
Their gunnery was fine. Am inclined
to think they have mighty good gunners
in their battery. We got off with no one
hurt.
Il then sighted a sail TO the westward
going in slow. Went after her. Vicks
burg signaled Strange SAIL and away We
both went. Vicksburg being ahead. sent
the first gun. and soon after We both
ranged up alongside the prize schooner
'Espana.'
Il now have her in tow, but whether I
90 TO Key West with her remains with
Senior Officer Present, whom I am hunt
ing.
'.They can't say but what the Morrill,
has stuck to her share of the duty. She is
the only revenue cutter over here al pres
ent.
Must close as I am nearing the s. o.
P's boat All are well. but the heat is
awful, and we are short of water. Wish
we had condensing facilities.
with best wishes, ever yours.
II. D. SMITH"
"P. SIT was id close shave with
the Santa Clara batteries. but they got a
taste of our As. and l think they danced
as lively as they made u.s.