The herald., 1898-05-13
SPANS TORPfDOB
CRUISING OFF THE EASTERN
ATLANTIC COAST
REPORT NOT FULLY CREDITED
Naval ohacers Taking Every Precau-
ton for the Protection Of the New
England Coast
Associated Press Special Wire

ASSOCIATED fTeaB special wire
PORTSMOUTH. N. H., May 12-Rsar
Admiral Carpenter, the commandant at
the navy yards here, received q dispatch
from Rear Admiral Erben at New York
today informing him that the rear admiral
had information which he considered accu-
rate that the Spanish ships were heading
toward the New England coast. Com
mandant Carpenter Immediately informed
the Mayor and Mayor Tilton at once tele-
phoned Governor Ramsdell and tele-
eraphed the authorities at Washington for
the necessary orders to bring the New
Hampshire troops to Portsmouth az soon
as possible. Nothing has been seen OF this
coast or reported by incoming vessels at
this port to furnish foundation for Rear
Admiral Erben's message, but the authori-
ties are moving quickly and taking every
precaution in view Of the possibility of its
correctness
The notice to the New England naval
officers was based upon the steamer
Menantic's report of sighting supposed for
eisn war vessels yesterday of Natucket.
A German Chased
HALIFAX, May 12.-Captain Brunst of
the German steamer Sophie Rickmers re-
ported that while crossing the New Found
land banks he was chased by Spanish
warship. The latter was very speedy and
fred three shells at the Rickmers, but the
latter being an 1s-knot boat and the wealth.
or becoming hazy she got away. Captain
Brunst says the Spaniard was torpedo
boat with three tunnels and was very low
| in the water. The Rickmers has proceeded
to New York.
OF New England
WASHINGTON, May 12.-Assistant Sec
rotary Allen Of the Navy Department has
received information from private source
that a number of torpedo boats are now
Off the New England coast. The Presi-
dent was informed, and Mr.. Allen was in
structed to place the facts before the War
Department at once. 1t is not known how
correct the information is.
Near Nantucket
NEW YORK, May 1.-THE British
steamer Menantic, which arrived yesterday
reported that two torpedo boats were
passed near Nantucket shoals yesterday.
Captain Mann said
Eat about 1 o'clock in the morning Of
May II. in latitude 1880, long. 6S. long
low-lying craft was seen approaching
under the shadows of the Menantic's smoke.
It came along rapidly, and was seen to be
torpedo boat. 1t blazed light on us
and crossed under our stern, going to the
e. N. e. and fred rocket, which was
answered from the south by dot and dash
flashes. 1t was too dark to distinguish or
define the nationality of the stranger. AT
daylight, about twenty miles east Of Nam
tucket south shoal light-ship, another tor
| pedo boat was seen in the line Of the SUM-
which dazzled the water too much to make
| out her colors. She was one Of the destroy.
err class Of torpedo catchers and a very
large boat with large funnel. Guns were
mounted on the bow. The Menantic rar
close to the light-ship on Nantucket and
reported the presence of the torpedo boats
The Date Set ..
NEW YORK, May ia dispatch to the
Herald from Gibraltar says:
| 1t Is believed that the Spanish squadron
from the Cape Verde Islands will join the
one at Cadiz and all move together about
the beginning of June unless the Americans
come to Cadiz in the meantime.
Spain wants to gain time and have the
American troops reach Cuba as far into the
summer as possible.
| Not Cruiser
FUNCHAL, Island of Madeira, May 49,
| The Spanish training ship Nautilus has
arrived here.