The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-06-14
4 llRNG kTTEMPT.
BOAT STEALS
OUT OF SANTIAGO HARBoR.
SIGNALS In TIE NIGHT
sHELLsFROMT THE NEW ORLEANS
ILLUMINE THE DARKNESS. :
THE TORPEDO BOAT, HOWEVER,
ESCAPED.

week is this:
The firing by the New York and
New Orleans, last night was directed
against 8 Spanish torpedo boat, prob
ably the Furor or the Pluton. The
Character Of the enemy was not def
nitely known until the torpedo boat
Porter found two loaded torpedoes
floating off shore. Neither Of them had
been discharged. One sank, but the
other was hauled on board the Porter.
It exactly fitted the description Of the
torpedoes carried by the Pluton and
Furor. It is believed the torpedo boat
destroyer escaped. She was seen by
the New Orleans when too far away
to do anydamage, and the heavy fire
must have driven her back. When
the New York arrived she would have
had time to stink along the shore and
back into the harbor.
The daring attempt Of the Spaniards
which was fortunately frustrated by
the vigilance Of the New Orleans
lookout, is the first instance Of its kind
since the beginning of q 1t illus
trated how hard it is to hit a email OBJ.
jet at night.
Shortly after 10 o'clock, the New
Orleans flashed her private signal. Il
was answered by the flagship, and in a
few seconds colored lights sprang up
into the darkness from the New Orleans
deck. They signifed that the enemy
was in sight. A little later she burned
another colored light. This meant
that a hostile torpedo boat was ap-
preaching, although, later, Captain
Folger, of the New Orleans, was not
certain whether this was correct. In
stantly, the semi circle Of blockading
ships flashed night signals. For six or
seven miles, east and west of the har
Dor, they twinkled brilliantly in the
darkness and then went out. Stimuli
taneously, flashes of fire shot from the
N sW Orleans side.
The New Orleans kept her brilliant
searchlights playing in all directions
and other ships near her did the same.
Ga the decks of the New York, the
marines were crouching down, peer.
ing into the darkness with their rifles
on their knees, watching for the sail
ORE most dreaded enemy, the torpedo
boat.
Tue loekouts we're in every concei' =
able spot, and guns were trained in
the direction where the New Orleane
seemed Co be firing, Every now and
again sparks and fire Fl W up in the
distance, marking the explosion OF
shell. Many persons then thought they
were exploded on a torpedo boat, but
to-day, it is believed that they found
their mark on shore. The moon, which
had been hidden behind the cloud,
came out at II o'clock. The New York
was then steamed at full speed toward
the shore to head Cf, if possible, the
retreat Of the enemy into the harbor.
The evolution had to be carried on
with great care, to AVOID getting in
line of fire from other American ships.
The search lights played frequently
and private signals burned brightly,
A dim object like a smell boat en-
veloped in smoke, was seen on the
port hand from the signal bridge and
Easign Muslin reported to Captain
Chad wick: "a torpedo boat one poinI
forward on the port beam, sir, headed
this way"
Capt. Chadwick, with Rear Admi-
raj Sampson, was on the forward
bridge.
Before q shot was fired from the flag
ship this curious lurking object disap-
peared. 1t must have been two OF
three miles away from the New Yorh
and the same distance from the New
Orleans.
The Oregon, grim and big, crossed
the New York's boats in the direction
the torpedo boat was reported. The
boat was otill headed for shore. Wher
q mile away and close to Mario Castle
an object was seen against the cliffs
It was thought to be a torpedo boat
and the New York's forward eight Incl
guns beloved out, making q hideoul
noise in the quiet night.
On shore a few sparks close to a darA
object showed where the shells struck
The four inch and six FOUNDER
guns followed suit, and for a few min
utes a sharp fire was kept up. The
boom of the Oregon's big guns wa
twice heard to the eastward. ''Ceas,
firing" was then sounded. The search
lights failed to- reveal the enemy ant
nothing but the bare coast could b
seen.
After q careful search the New Yorl
steamed back to her station and tn,