The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-13
tESltlIS ARRlN ES.
She Was About TO Practice for At
lacking Havana When Peace Came.


NEW YORK. Aug. 2a.-As the Texas
before her had done, the dynamite gun
vessel NesuVius came into port yesterday
afternoon with her '-hoodoo.' or reauta-
ton loT had luck. wiped cut AT Santiago.
The word dynamite" Is really mis-
homer. for the explosive which was Used
with such good effect at Santiago vas vet
gun cotton.
Many visitors 10 the warships were at
tracted 10 the Kesuyius during the after
noon. The three rigid tubes in her for
ward deck received much attention
The fesuvius put 10 sea from hey West
June in search Of the phantom Spanish
tiaer. which was reported making lis way
10 Havana. After three days cruising in
the old Bahauian channel orders were re-
cetved 20 join Admiral sampson off Santi-
ago. Size arrived on the morning OF June
IL. and her commander was instructed 10
keep well out 10 sea. as IL was not desired
that her arrival should be known 20 the
shore batteries. Lae~t Victor Blue. OF the
Suw2nee. had finished his reeounoitering
trip for tie purpose Of removing al doubt
OF Cervera's Whereabouts that day. AMI re-
ported tive torpedo boat destroyers an
chored in the channel between the Zocapa
battery and Cayo Smith.
Admiral Sampson ordered the Vesuvius
to hurl her charges OF gun cotton the night
Of her arrival. and eteaming 20 q range OF
,
fire. Her first shot was directed against
the Spanish destroyers over the battery 10
the west OF Ncrro- A coughiike sound was
all that tod Of the discharge until a re-
port greater than that made BY ;wo thir-
teen-inch guns made the ponjer6us war
SHIPS rock. Two more followed az shart
intervals against the Zocapa battery.
4 line OF picket Launches had been drawn
Up of the entrance 10 the harbor 70 give
warning to the fleet OF any dash by the
Spanish desiroyers. Those on the launches
knew nothing Of the Nesuvius' actions, ana
when the project!les burst with tremendous
J force witkia the harhor and on the hill
there was great scurrying and signaling
By the launches. On the other hand. the
presence Of the pckets was unknown on
the gunhcat ard when her officers saw
the quick movements she backed seawari
at q speed that kept her quarterback sub
merged She d!3 not dare TO present her
broads!3e TO the batteries In turning,
Twen;y-six snots were nred hy the Eesu-
vius before Santiago. three a night On seven
nights ard five or the night Of July 1.
when the Relna Mercedes ard several Span
.sh gurhoats were reported emerging from
the harbor. Most Of the projectles were
ten-inch. containing 80 pounds Of gun cot
ton. The others used. eighth contained
100 pounds OF the explosive.
From one ot the officers OF the Spanish
fleet L 1as learned that one explosion Ia !
Killed large number Of Spania7ds. and
had completely wiped our a shore battery.
Capt Taylor. Of the Indiana. told the men
or the NesuvlgS that a dynamite protectl.e
had made hole IN The battery east %
Moro large enough 20 put the gunb0at
through H.
During The Nesuvius' stay a Cuanta-
uamo Lieut.. Commander Pi.lsbury planned
experiments with six-inch dummy project
IT -,
which she was 20 take part. lie believed
~ could fire them At a range Of three
mics ana ives about - begin practice
WHEN news of the signing ~ the protocol
was received. The pTo1ectiles were ~
havo been fired az night