New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-09
LETTING PRIZES SLIP AWAY.
MANY DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THE RE-
SERVES ON THE BADGER.

A PRIZE CREW ARE BRINGING THE FINE TUG
HUMBERTo RODRIGUEZ TO NETWORK
INCIDENTS on BOARD THE CAP
TURED VESSEL
rnoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIRuSr.
United States Ship Badger. Dry Tortugas. Fla
j'ly 3o-The Badg,r just arrived here from
Nuevitas with three fine prizes The story Of the
capture wired TO TIE Tribune Up TO the time
or taking the prizes there was not more as
gusted crew anywhere near Cuba than this crew
OF tho Badger. The ST aamer Newfoundland was
a prize but the captain OF the Badger. by his adj
herence 10 strictly construed orders. let It slip
through his fingers. So I; with several fine
schooners that were ovnrhauled at the very en-
trance to the harbor with cargoes OF provisions
The Badger ct them all go. because they didn't
come right up and say: "Oh. yes. mister. We arc
blockade runners; please capture US
The Badger is booked for Porto Rico. but infor-
nation is not dehnit" The Badger was ordered
there last week but through some hlunder on tho
fagshp the orders were not forwarded 1t will
take ten DAYS to coal up," and II the fun is no;
Mt the end OF that time the Badger will go to
see the fall OF San Juan
ORDERED TO REINFORCE BLANCO.
United States Ship Badger. Key West. Aug. g.
The Badger received orders at Dry Tortugas yes
terday 70 coal up the prize tuc Humbero Rod
riguez and 10 send II to Havana with the other
prize ships. the latter TO be sent into Havana
with the 32A soldiers and turned over TO Banco.
and tho tug To proceed TO Ncw-York as n prize.
Lieutenant Peters Is IN command OF tho tug.
Lieutenant Bount and EnsGns Kemole and Nc
Graw. of Madison also there.
The return OF the soldiers IS reinforcing Blanco
TO the extent OF least two hundred and ffty
able bodied men.
PRIZE CREW FROM THE BADGER
Key West Fla. Aug a-The Badger prize crew.
board the Spanish tug Humberto Rodriguez.
which is conveying the ships San Fernando and
sapi. with the $50 Spanish soldiers captured of
Nuevitas. by the Badger. 10 Havana. will doubtless
have an assorted cargo OF yarns 10 spin when they
reach Nev-York.
Up to the time OF their leaving Dry Tortugas
and giving a last three cheers for the Badger. as
the latter steamed away for Key West at noon to-
day they had had enough experiences 10 keep them
busy writing letters for month. Letter-wriiing
is the great failing OF the Naval Reserve man on
duty off Cuba The average amateur tar takes
UP all his time on watch In writing letters home,
ard his mail s large In proportion. All through
the hlockading fleet the mail OF the Naval Re-
ship is known sight because II usually
ouadruples in bulk the mail OF the regular ships.
Then. agnin the newspapers OF various small
towns have no correspondents on these ships
Hence the Naval Reserve man. In writing home. "
frequently has in mind the idea that his relatives
will lug MIS- letter around 10 the newspaper office.
just show tho editor what exciting times John
is having at the front. Tho editor prints the let
ter and towards marked copies TO John: and some
evening when all hands gathered on the fore
castle. John has the Joy OF passing the papers
around and feeling like war correspondent.
The Badger is numerously supplied with letter
writers. and in making up tho crew OF the Hum
ber,o Rodriguez this cheerful and hardworking
section OF tho not overlooked.
When Lieutenant Peters and his crew took
charge OF the prize squadron OF Neuvitas. the
first thing they did 10 arm themselves 10 the
teeth and then look around az their capuSs on
tho Humberto Rodriguez Tho entire crew were
placed tho tugooat. tho other two prizes. the
San Fernando and tho san. being kept In tow
and no one being placed on board. Looking around
they were nrst impressed with tho pungen; odOr
Of tho barnyard. On tho after part Of tho lower
Nck they found sad-ey.d. meek looking. ema-
tiatei Spanish cow. kept IN her pen by several
boards loosely nailed 40. fence fashion. The cow
was not as meek she booked. Every time any
ono approached her. hcr he~ls New up and hrc
mashed IN her Spanish eyes. Ensign Kemble found
this out within half an hour after his arrival on
tho craft and ne was careful not 10 pay second
About the cowpen was combination hog and
sheep Enclosure containing on detecied-lookins
goat and pigs had been allowed tho freedom Of tho
ship. on the upper. or hurrcane. deck was ne
crates OF lively Spanish ROSTERS and hens on that
deck which Lieutenant Peters and his of'icers
considered that the wardroom bil, of fare had been
pork and beans for fully two weeks.
THE HrMBERTO RODRIGUEZ FINE TUG
The tugboat itself was beauty. Her machinery.
a.. Machinst McKenny raid. ran lke sewing ma
chine. Her engines were new and in nne order all
due doubtless TO the fact that a Scotchman had
been the engineer in the Spanish employ. The
engine room was the only place on tho vessel that
was not filthy and fun Of doors
The Spanish officers headed by Surgeon Maxine
Martinez Morales found In quite comfortable
quarters in the cabin OF the tug They had
special cook and special provisions. The soldiers.
like all Spanish soldiers. had to shift for them
selves and were ignored and. like all Spanish
soldiers. they had little respect for their officers.
the ito between them merely being that OF the
master and slave,
seriously sick soldiers on the tug. Lieutenant
Peters detailed Lieutenant Bount as executive ON,
twenty Badger men into two equal Watches S t TIE
catches Spd tH III, m dHy AND fo s
and rifee loaded, were placed at every important
ladder The upper dscs Td h reserved 5y spe
ards were instructed that they must keep clear OF
ana and b stay w I'm q reaGv %
shoot any one who might attempt 10 cut 1t loose
crew did was 10 bargain with the spanlards for
souvenirs Every time Inc Shdser
wo OF the Spanish officers disposed OF the,
uniforms In the excitement OF the barga.in-counter
scene, and "Caldmlty SHlil! H. tH' i'hub,'
mate has already shipped one OF them 10 the
Push Club OF Newark, TO be used. he says as
'sowyenir' Of the war by that organization.
THE PRIZE CREW HAVE FRESH MEAT
Lieutenant Peters tried to be patient with the
Spanish COW for few DAYS. but the morning
of the day the "squadron" appeared of Havana the
cow was duly slaughtered That day there wero
steaks for all hands. Resentment had also risen
among the Badger men against the manners Of the
pigs. These animals had been In the habit Of go
ing TO mess with the soldiers. The Badger men
were content as long the pigs dned with their
former COMPANIONS. but when they attempted 10
Join the mess Of the Badger prize crew there was
and Of them was sla ughtered to make
an American Sunday dinner. The other was
stoppered the bits aft. and WIS served UP In
outlets as the Squadron left Dry Tortugas to-day.
The latter animal FASTENED his own end by break
ing loose last night. getting tangled up In the legs
OF Marine Tucker. causing the latter to turn hat
a dozen somersaults and getting his finger damned