The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-06
DETAILS OF CAPTURE.
Lafayette is a Vessel Belonging to the
French Naval Reserve.

Copyright. by the Associated Press, 1898 }
On Board the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Kate Spencer via Key
West, Fla, May 6.-The Lafayette of
the French General Transatlantic COM
pany's line, a vessel of 1894 tons gross
register, bound from Corunna, Spain on
April %, for Havana,was captured yes
terday evening off the latter port by
the United States gunboat Annapolis,
Commander J. J. Hunt, while trying
to run the blockade after having pre-
viously been warned off. She has on
board a large number of passengers
and a valuable general cargo, possibly
containing contraband of war.
The Lafayette which halls from ST
Nazaire, France, is a fine vessel of the
old type. She is 344 feet long has A
feet beam and is % feet deep. She was
built in 1864 at Greenock, of iron.
Her capture was effected shortly be-
fore sundOwn last night in the follow
ing manner: The Lafayette was head
ing Tor Havana and was boarded by
an on1cer OF the Annapolis and warned
not 10 enter port. She afterwards
made an attempt to do so and was
captured, after an exciting chase The
wilmington, Newport and Merrill took
part In the capture of the Frenchman
After an examination of the Lafav-
cites papers had been made a prize
crew from the Annapolis was placed on
board and she was sent to Key West,
escorted by the Wilmington. Previous
70 thlS step being taken, Commander
bunker of the Annapolis the ternnor
ary nag officer and Commander G. C.
Iodd, of the Wilmington. EXCHANGED
signals for over an hour daIico+a
international question is thought to he
involved in the capture of the French
steamer, put 1t was finally decided to
seno her to Key West. The fact that
Sne left Spanish port, Corunna on
ApFli zS' atter the declaration of war
winch occurred on April 21 seems to
warrant holding the Lafayette
On the question of contraband of
war, the officers of the Wilmington
seem reticent, but it hardly seems pos
Sfble that the steamer could leave
Spain with so many male passen@ars
on board and not have contra hand of
war in her cargo "a
IL is reported that the LAFAYETTE in
addition of being a French mail steam
er, is a French naval reserve vessa1
mounting guns and carrying a crew sl1f
hc1ent to make her ready for active
s5I serElce at snort notice: This it is said
adds considerably to the gravity of the
International aspect of the case.
Inc hate spencer, dispatch boat Of
ene associated Press, just before the
cnaSe pegan, had spoken to the AMMAN
oIs little east of the Cojmar batterv
and five miles off shore. The Annano,
us with canvas ventilators spread had
Sotte SoIIi. IazlIy from the east and after
ABOUT, to follow her down the coast
1he big Krupp guns on the batterv
Were silent and a pretty effect was
caused by the white smoke wreaf1s
curling up from the roofs of the little
settlement of Cojamar, showing IN dis
tinctly against the gray green SLOPES of
the Cuban shores.
Four miles down the slopes, the grim
OLD tower of Moro stood frowning a
silent guardian of the Cuban capitaI
whose roofs already reflected the red
glow OF the declining sun. 1t was a fine
picture of Cuba in siesta
Ihe feeling of calm was broken bv
the electric call Of "A Chase" which
echoed to the Spencer. The Annapolis
mad put her helm hard a-starboard and
was putting on full steam and cleavine
Ine waters in the northeast direction
Her dark tunnels belched out clouds
OF plack smoke as the stokers piled coal
an the furnaces, and every effort was
speed. 7
on the horizon could be seen the
&aAntest trace of smoke. This was the