The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-10
CHASING A TORPEDO BOAT

Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Press. }
OFF Santiago de Cuba, Saturday, June T.
2 p. M, via Kingston, Jamaica, Monday,
June g. 9 a. m.-The firing by the New
York and New Orleans, briefly reported
last night, was directed against a Spanish
torpedo boat destroyer, probably the Flu
ror or the Pluton. The character of the
enemy was not definitely known until
the next day, when the torpedo boat Por-
ter found two loaded torpedoes floating
off shore. Neither of them had been dis
charged. One sank; but the other was
hauled on board the Porter 1t exactly
fitted the description of the torpedoes car
ried by the Pluton and Furor. 1t is be-
ieved the torpedo boat destroyer escaped
She was seen by the New Orleans when
too far away to do any damage and the
heavy fire must have driven her back.
When the New York arrived she would
have had time to stink along the shore
and back into the harbor.
The daring attempt of the Spaniards,
which was fortunately frustrated by the
vigilance of the New Orleans lookout, is
the first instance of its kind since the
beginning of the war. AS seen from the
flagship. the scene was brilliantly dramat-
ic The New York was lying several miles
to the east of MORO Castle. The New
Orleans was on her starboard hand, close
in shore ready to pounce upon any craft
which might attempt TO steal out under
the shadow of the hills.
Shortly after 10 O'Clock the New Orleans
flashed her private signal. 1t was an
swered by the flagship and in few Soc
onds colored lights sprang up in the dark
ness from the New Orleans deck. They
signified that the enemy was in sight. A
little later she burned another colored
light This meant that a hostile torpedo
boat was approaching although, later.
Captain Fo,ger. of the New Orleans, was
not certain whether this was correct. In
stantly the semi-circle of blockading ships
flashed night signals. For six or seven
miles. east and west of the harbor they
twinkled brilliantly in the darkness and
then went out. simultaneously, flashes of
fire shot from the New Orleans sides.
on board the flagship men and officers
had scrambled OUT of their hunks and
hammocks in response TO the call general
quarters" They stood in groups on deck
around the guns. watching the short
sharp flames which showed the activity
of the New Orleans rapid-fire battery.
The flagship was then 100 far away to
hear the sound of the firing or see is
object.
The New Orleans kept her brilliant
searchlights playing in all directions and
other ships near her did the same.
On the decks OF the New York the ma
rines crouched down peerlng into the
darkness, with their rifles on their knees.
watching for the sailors most dreaded
enemy. the torpedo boat The lookouts
were in every conceivable spot. and guns
we're trained in the direction where the
New, Orleans seemed 20 be firing. Evry
now and again sparks and red fire few
IN in the distance. marking the explosion
of shells. Many persons then thought they
were exploding on the torpedo boat. hut,
today II is believed that they found their
mark on shore.
The moan. which had been hidden be
hind the clouds. came out az Il o'clock.
The New York was then steaming at fun
speed towards the shore 20 head Of II
possible the retreat Of the enemy into the
harbor.
The evosutions had 10 be carried on w.,a
great care 20 avoid getting in line of IRE
from the American ships.
The searchEghts played frequently and
private signals burned brightly.
A dim object Ike small buoy enveioped