The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-19
Filibustsring Steamer Laurada
Thought to Be in Danger.
NOW EN- VOYAGE FOR SEATTLE
story ~ Her Famous Service In Car
ryfng Supplies and Arns to the
Cubans-All Her Old Crew Vet
Aboard Save Capt. O'Brien-Span-
Movements To Their Governmeat.

The famous alsbustering steamship Isu-
rada. which has landed 30 many fiabussers.
and such a large amount of provisions
and ammunition on the island of Cuba. is
now on the way to Seattle. and Will arrive
during the first part OF May. unless she is
seized BY Spanish naval boats after csxn-
ing around the Horn. Tie Spanish au.hori-
ties have no love fer the Laurada and
would no. hesitate 10 blow her 10 atoms
on sight. and ROW that war between Spain
and the United States seems 10 be inevita-
Die. the Spafaiaris would no doubt resort 10
desperate measures 10 destroy her. The
I-aurada n one OF the boats that will run
from Seattle 10 ST. Michael. Her former
commander WAS Capt. John o,Byien. and
after the noted ahb1strring expeditions TO
Cuba became widely known as Dynamite
johnnie On account OF having furnished
the insurgents With such vast amount of
dynamite. O'Br5en was acquitted by tina
courts for the part he took in assisting the
insurgents. but the owner OF the boat.
Wm. III. Harter. Of Philadelphia. was only
recently sentenced 20 Imprisonment for two
years. Harter appealed the case from one
court 10 another. but was eventually COM
PEELED 10 40 to prison. Eastern newspa-
pers devoted much SPACE TO the trial of
Harter and o Brien. and they were Shown
muca attention by sympaihlzers OF Cuba
Tia i~aurada returned from the differ
ent ports In the Mediterranean sea last
Aprii. after a successful voyage and was
taken 10 Baltimore. where she Was inspect
ed. In the meantime the steamer was In
the minds OF a party OF men who were
willing TO sacrifice their lives for the free
dom of Cuba. and they We're successful in
cloAag a contract by which the owner
agreed TO take nearly 100 men and a large
quantity OF provisions and ammunition TO
the island The captain ard owner were
given permission 10 take the steamer from
Baltimore 10 Philadelphia, where !. was
represented that the engines and boilers
were 10 be given a thorough overhauling
subsequent developments revealed that the
cwnrr never intended 10 take the steamer
30 Philadelphia to be overhaulsa, as II was
proven that the owner and the sympafhiz-
ers CT Cuba had previously entered into al,
agreaineBt and thoroughly understood each
other. According TO the terms of the agree
mens. the owner was TO receive 500 600 in
the event of his boat being destroyed by the
spanish naval forces. and $l000G IL he
landed the expedition on Cuban soil. Har-
ter was paid $lo0,ac but he Is now paving
dearly for the part he took In the affair
The Laiirada had scarcely gotten out OF
sight OF baltimore. after she was supposed
10 have started FOR Philadelphia TO be over
lighters and schooners loaded down with
ammunition. provisions. drugs and the
army OF men who were TO constitute the
expedition. The cargo and men were soon
aboard and the steamer was on the way 20
Cuba in a short time. A quick and salts
factory trip was made TO the island, ard
Capt. OBrien landed the expedition and
cargo a short distance from the mouth
OF a river. Gen Garcia and his army Of
Insurgents were on the scene when the
I-anrada touched the island. and they. by
dilgent and hard work. unloadeti the cargo
III five hours. Torpedoes were placed in
the river before the steamer touched shore.
and IL any Spanish ganboats had approach
ed they would have been unquestionably
destroyed. Five hours after landing in
Cuba the Laurada started on the return
trip TO the United States. and had not got
ten far away. when she was sighted by a
Spanish gunboaf and given an exciting
chase. The Laurada was equal TO the
emergency and when the circumstances be-
came known II was said by the sympathz-
ers of Cuba. that she could ou.run the
entire Spanish fleet. When the steamer
reached Hampton Roads she was seized by
the United States authorities and the own
or and captain were placed under arrest,
and held for trial at Philadelphia. the
captain being afterward acquitted and the
owner convicted
While the Laurada was being repaired In
Philadelphia. preparatory 10 starting for
Seattle Spanish spies visited the shipyard
from time 20 time and kept a constant
watch On the craft. as II was reported that
she was about 10 make another trip 10
Cuba and lend further assistance In es4-
TabMshing the freedom OF the Cubans The
Spanish authorities. II was Leaned. were
afterward advised OF her departure. and
the owners of her now fear tina; she may
be blown up or captured by Spanish gun
boats before she reaches Seattle. providing
that war lie declared The Laurada will
have the same crew which went 20 Cuba
with the single exception Of Capt. Ogrsen.
and she VIII no doao; be an object Of much
interest to the crowds of people who fire.
qusnt the 'er front
Secretary sf War Aiger recently advised
all transportation companies who are 10
operate boats between Seattle and 81. MI
chasl not TO send any craft from Atlantic
coast points 10 Seattle. until the war agi-
tatsor. Is definitely settled either one way
or the other. IL war Is declared. how
ever. u would BE- folly 10 send boats aroma