The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-26
AN OLD STORY RETOLD
SPANISH ACCOUNT OF THE SCUT-
THING OF THE ALFONSO XII.
Captain of the Steamer Says He Blew
Up the Vessel to Prevent Its
Capture by Americans.

GUANTANAMO BAY, July g. II a. M
Following is a translation from a newspa
per of Cienfuegos of an article on the loss
of the Spanish steamer Alfonso XII, which
was driven ashore on the coast of Cuba by
the United States auxiliary gunboat Hawk:
Yesterday, says FL Correo, of Havana,
there arrived here the survivors of the fine
transatlantic steamer Alfonso XII, which
was scuttled in the waters of Mariel. With
a natural desire to obtain information which
would calm the anxiety of the public, we
interviewed the survivors and ascertained
that they were rendered nearly insensible
by fatigue and anxiety. Their feet were
sore from walking from the head of the val
ley of Mariel to Guanabacao and their
hands were badly lacerated in violent and
futile efforts to save the cargo. We will
faithfully relate that which occurred, re-
serving what in our judgment it is not per-
mitted to give to the public and what might
serve as advice TO our enemies. The cap
tain's story follows:
=" The Alfonso XII was fitted out In Cadiz
with six cannon, the necessary crew. three
companies of marines and other necessary
articles. In twenty days / hoped to make
port and land the cannon and troops imme-
diately. / navigated the Alfonso XII with
hope in God and in the valor of my own
crew. l ran with all possible speed to the
heights of Cienfuegos, where came out three
cruisers of tine enemy. Seeing them, the
Alfonso XII took flight towards the Isle
of Pines, in which waters l lost sight of
our pursuers.
believing myself now free from pur-
suit, i laid my course directly toward Ha-
vana, with the full intention of making that
harbor When eight miles distant my course
was intercepted by three other cruisers,
which / was unable to encounter. The
American cruisers took positions on my port
and Starboard and ahead. / then sIeered
hoped TO enter with the exclusive object of
diSembarking. / decided to save the cargo,
as the object in coming was to land pro-
visions and the cargo on the island. / saw
an embarrassing situation The Yankees
began throwing Shells which landed in all
directions around the ship, which proves
what we have said thousand times, that
the Americans arc not artilerists and the
Chrlsts of the earth. OF the hundreds of
projectiles thrown at the Alfonso XII only
eight struck the ship. This corroborates our
opinion of their bad training.
- Then Captain Moret ordered the cargo
TO be thrown over board, in order that some
portions might float to the shore, which
was only pistol shot distant. We got out
a boat and prepared to torpedo tho ship.
/ saw the Americans would not delay de-
stroylng the fine ship and therefore placed
an explosive bomb between the two fun
nels OF the Alfonso XII and instantly blew
up the ship in a column of smoke so dense
ana so black that 1t appeared like an inn
mcnse cloud, obScuring the atmosphere and
making breathing difficult. In this moment
OF detection corrosive liquid fire enveloped
the ship and Tapped up the wood like
hungry serpent. The crew, being hopeless,
mad only time to jump into the water to
escape this fiery furnace. Thus has been
consumed the best ship of the Transat atlantic
company and the pride of the fleet