The record-union., 1898-04-25

she can't beat fourteen knots at her
best, but it is funny how many six
teen and seventeen-knot clippers she
leaves astern."
The scene of the opening event of
what may prove to be prolonged hostil-
tiles between the Government of the
United States and Spain was just off
the coast Of Cuba at a point about ten
miles east of Moro Castle. The shot
was fired across the bows of the Span
ish steamer Pedro of Bilboa, outward
bound from Havana. She hove to i'm
mediately and in the course of an hour
a prize crew from the flagship was in
charge Of her and she was on her way
TO Key West. The capture of the Pc
dro occurred at ) o'clock on Friday
afternoon in view of the Associated
Press dispatch boat Dauntless, which
was the nearest vessel to the New
York at the time An hour before, the
fleet, with the Mayhower and the tor
pedo boats, was proceeding at a nine
knot speed from Key West to the Gu
ban coast The vessels were then
about twenty miles north of Havana.
a haze hung over the southern horizon
and the faintest outline of the shore
could be seen at intervals.
Suddenly the New York quickened
her speed and went alongside the
Mayllower and the leading torpedo
boat She halted a moment and. sig
nailed some instructions to the remain
der Of the fleet and then drew away
from the others and started alone in
southWesterly direction.
The Dauntless also crowded on steam
and she sped after the New York at
once After twenty minutes fast run
the remainder of the fleet was left far
behind
1t soon became apparent that the
New York was heading to the eastward
of Morro Castle and the real object of
her chase became discernable against
the dark background of the low hills
/ on the coast The lookout in the tops
of her military masts had sighted the
Spanish colors flying from a Spanish
steamer which had just left Havana
harbor. Those on board the steamer
must have seen the New York over
hauling them but they made no pre-
tense of stopping.
The chase continued for nearly an
hour and by that time the New York
had passed the steamer and stopped
about half mile off her port bow. In
another moment there was a puff Of
smoke from the side of the New York
followed by a short report of SIX
FOUNDER The shot passed over the
bows of the steamer and threw up
great spray when it struck the water.
There was no mistaking its meaning.
The steamer stopped it's engines imme-
diately and swung around in the heavy
sea which was running. The next move
came promptly. A large whale boat was
lowered from the New York filed with
sailors and marines all fully armed and
in charge of an officer. The prize proved
to be the Pedro. Of about 1000 tons.
She was apparently in ballast or had
light cargo.
The sun was just sinking below the
horizon when the prize crew from the
New York climbed over the side of the
Pedro and few minutes later the Span
ish ensign was hauled down
While this was transpiring the out
lines of another steamer were seen sew
eral miles to the westward and the
New York put out for her as soon as
she had cast loose the whaleboat con-
tanning the prize crew for the Pedro.
| Upon investigation, it was learned
/ that she was a German steamer that
| had Just left Havana and she was al
| lowed to proceed.
| The Pedro was taken to Key West the
! New York returned to the remainder Of
the fleet and all the vessels lay to and
drifted all night outside of Havana har-
Dor. Torpedo boats and one of the