The Portland daily press., 1898-04-25
FROM THE FLEET.
Squadron Arrived in Safety Friday
Night.

On Board the United States Flagship
New York off Havana, April 22-The
lighting squadron of the United States
fleet arrived safely on Havana tonight.
Before the vessels took up their positions
on the blockade line two prizes were cap
tured. One was under the shadow of
Cuba's coast and the other was seized Is
miles south of Key West. There was no
casualties on either side. The first day
OF the war has closed satisfactorily to our
forces, more SO in fact than was expected
few minutes after O'Clock this FRI
day. morning the signal was flashed from
the flagship to get Under way and at 4.25
a; m. the captain was hauling up the an
Choir. Dawn was breaking as the great
gray warships crept out from Key West
harbor and took their designated places
in line. Admiral Sampson in command
of the fleet paced his quarter deck brisklY
and on the New York's forward bridge
stood Captain Chadwick in command of
as fine an armored cruiser as ever led "a
fleet With him were Lieut.. Commander
Potter, Lieut.. Roller the navigating OIL
Ger and Ensign Brumby. On the after
bridge were Assistant Chief of Staff
Sauton, Flag Lieut. Bennett and Cadet
Muslin. Ensign Brumby and Cadet
Muslin were the two aids.
The capstan creaked and groaned as
it dragged the anchor from is bed where
battleshlp Maine was blown up in
Havana harbor. There was no confusion,
no shouting, no singing.
When at five minutes after Captain
Chadwick gave the order to go ahead the
clang of the engine bell coul1 be heard
all lover the ship At slow speed, the
flagship leading, the fighting squadron
In, n II r,,Y tpnR cnJJth
and Key West faded out of sight.
The trip to Havana was made over
smooth seas with gentle breeze blowing
and the sun shining brightly. The war
ships of the United States took up posi-
tions in sight of MORO castle light. At
this writing p. m. no shots have been
fred from the land. About Is miles off
Key West, between Z and 8 o'clock,
tramp steamer was sighted bearing down
on the fleet and off the cruiser Nashville's
quarter. The steamer hoisted Spanish
flag whereupon the Nashville promptly
signalled her to stop. "a
The Spanisrd paid no attention to the
signal and continued on her way at full
speed. The Nashville then put shot
across her bows. This also had no effect
but minute later q puff of smoke circled
out from the Nashville and the first shot
of the war fired in earnest, sped close |
to the Spanish steamer. A second later |
down came the Spanish flag and the
steamer hove to. The prize proved to be |
the Spanish steamer Buena Ventura of |
Bilbao. She was boarded from the Nash |
Vile and aftetr hurried examination the |
Nashville was ordered to take her prize |
back to Key West. 1t was not very i'm |
portant capture nor was it an exciting en-
gagelnent but the incident added greatly |
to the enthusiasm prevailing among the |
rank and file of the fleet. At a. m. |
Admiral Sampson hoisted rear admir- |
ais flag and as the two white stars on |
a blue ground flew out to the breeze 10 |
guns were fired in salute Captain Evens
headed the battleship Iowa near the flag- |
ship and led the crew in giving three |
cheers. The flagship New York captured |
the tramp steamer Pedro of Biiboa be-
tween Matanzas and Havana at O'Clock |
this evening and put a prize crew on |
board. The Pedro is now on her way
to Key West. Two shots were fired after |
after an exciting chase. The New York |
left the fleet to effect the capture.
Intense enthusiasm has been aroused |
the fleet by the capture of the
rriZeS.