The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-09
TRIED TO SLIP OUT.
Intellectual Attempt of a Span
iSh Torpedo Boat to Escape.

Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.)
Off Santiago de Cuba, Saturday,
June 4, via Kingston, Jamaica, Monday,
June Go a.. m.-The firing by the New
York and New Orleans briefly reported
last night was directed against a Span
ish torpedo boat destroyer, proba bly,
the Furor or the Pluton. The character
of the enemy was not definitely known
until the next day when the torpedo
boat Porter found two loaded torpedoes
floating off shore. Neither of them had
been discharged. One sank; but the
other was hauled on board the Porter
1t exactly fitted the description of the
torpedoes carried by the Pluton and
Furor. 1t is believed 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 look
out is the first instance of its kind
since the beginning of the war. AS seen
from the flagship, the scene was brill
Hantly dramatic. The New York was
lying several miles to the east of Morro
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 Or
leans flashed her private signal. 1t
was answered by the flagship and in
a few seconds cOlOred lights sprang up
in the darkness from the New Orleans
deck. They signified that the enemy
was in sight. A little later she burned
hGFs 1irrIf
a hostile torpedo boat was approach
ing although later Captain FoIger of
the New Orleans was not certain
whether this was correct. Instantly
the semi 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
a flash of fire shot from the New Or
leans sides.
On board the flagship men and Off
GERS had scrambled out of their hunks
and hammOcks in response to the call,
groups on deck, the guns watch
ing the short sharp flames which show
ed the activity of the New Orleans rap
id fire battery. The flagship was then
too far away to hear. the sound of fir
ing or see it's 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
marines were crouched down peering
into the darkness, with their rifles on
their knees watching for the sailors
most dreaded enemy, the torpedo boat.
The lool1outs were in every conceivable
spot and guns were trained in the d;-
rectiOn where the New Orleans seemed
to be firing. Every now and again
sparks and red fire flew up in the dis
tance, marking the explosion of shells.
Many persons then thought they were
exploding on the torpedo boat, but to-
day it is believed that they found their
mark on shore. The moon, which had
been hidden behind the clouds came out
at about IL o'clock. The New York was
then steaming at full speed towards the
shore to head off, if possible the re-
treat of the enemy into the harbor
The evOlutions had to be carried on
with great care to avoid getting in
line of fire from the other American
ships.
The searchlights played frequently
and private signals burned brightly.
A dim object like a small boat en-
veloped in smoke was seen on the port
hand from the signal bridge and En-
sign Muslin reported to Capt. Chad
wick: "A torpedo boat one point for
ward on the port beam, sir; headed this
way"
Capt Chadwick with Rear Admiral
Sampson was on the forward bridge.
Before a shot was fired from the flag
ship, this curious lurking object dis
appeared. 1t must have been two or
three miles away from the New York
New Orleans. The Oregon crossed the
New York's bow in the direction the
torpedo boat was reported. The tor
pedo boat was still headed for shore.
When mile away and close to Moro
castle, an object was seen against the
cliffs. 1t was thought to be a torpedo
boat and the New YOrk'S forward g.
inch guns beloved out making a hid
eOus noise in the quiet night, lighting
up the crowded decks and filling the
air with bright smoke.
On shore a few sparks close to a
dark object showed where the shells
struck
The 4-inch and 6-pounder guns fol-
lowed suit and for a few minutes a
sharp fire was kept up. The boom of the
Oregon's big guns was twice heard to
the eastward.
Cease firing was then sounded.
After a careful search the New York
steamed back to her station and the
men went back to their hammoclzs
There had been firing from the
forts and accounts differ as to whether
the torpedo boat did. or did not fire