The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-08-20
BoMBARDMENr OF cAIBARIEN.
Daring Exploit of the Little Mangrovs
which Happily Ended In Glory
Instead of Disaster.

details have been received here as to
the bombardment Of the port of Caiba-
rien, on the north coast of the province
of Santa Clara, Cuba, last Sunday, by
the Mangrove.
The Mangrove left here last week to
protect the landing of the expedition
under Gen. Bozas, which had gone
ahead on the schooners Dollie and
Adams When the Mangrove reached
Santa Mari, near Caibarien, she found
the Cuban party had safely disem-
banked, but feared to advance because
of the presence of the Spanish gunboat
Herman Cortez and the smaller gum
boat, which were evidently making
Caibarien their base.
On Saturday the Mangrove anchored
at Key Francis outside Caibarien, but
could only get about half way into the
narbor.
The next morning Capt. Stuart, the
commander of the Mangrove, decided
to have a shot at the gunboats. He
was alone and the odds against him
were heavy, but he did a bold thing.
Sounding her way inch by inch, the
Mangrove crept along the channel,
drawing eight feet of water in an aver
age depth of So, until about nine
o'clock she sighted both the Spanish
gunboats.
The Herman CorteZ was anchored
about l,0OG yards to the right of the
town, with her broadside to the sea.
The small gunboat lay at the wharf. The
shore was crowded with Spaniards,
citizens and soldiers, while the roof of
every building that commanded a view
of the harbor was literally covered
with people anxious to see the fight.
The Herman Cortez carried two Al
inch guns and four 1-pounders, while
her smaller companion was armed
with three 1-pounders and d HOtchkiSS
rapid-tire gun.
Ashore were several 1-pound field
pieces, while the Spanish troops were
armed with Mauser rifles.
The Mangrove's battery consisted Of
only two 6-pounders, worked in a
range of 300 yards, The channel was
SO narrow that only one gun could be
fired at a time.
AT 1O:45 a. m. she got up her port
gun ct the Herman Cortez. The shot
fell short. Instantly the whole line of
shore burst into flame, both gunboats
and field pieces pouring in a heavy fire
upon the American vessel. Every shot
Of this volley struck the water ahead
of the MangrOve, which continued
pumping away at her port 6-pound-
ers. She concentrated her fire on the
Herman COrtez and the next five or six
shots fell on the Spaniard's deck be-
tween the bow gun and amidships,
scattering a body of men. Some of the
latter must have been killed, although
the Spaniards later denied that they
suffered any loss.
For awhile no Spanish gun was
fired, but soon the Spaniards got the
MangroveS range, and IL veritable ava
lanche of shot and shell was hurled at
her. 1t was nothing less than a mira.
Gle that her loss of life was not heavy.
Shells from the big guns of the Herman
Cortez dropped within 20 feet of the
tug, several bursting and fragments
chipping bits off her hull. Others went
whizzing through her shrouds, and
Mauser bullets peppered the surround
ing waters like u summer shower.
In the very midst of all this, and
while the Mangrove was swinging eau
tiously around to bring her star
board gun into play, the Waterman
shouted Flag of truce!" and sure
enough not one, but three white flags
could be seen.
A small boat came out with a Span.
ish officer, who, in exceedingly nervous
tones announced: Peace is proclaimed
and l have instructions for your com.
manding officer from the military COM
mander of this district"
He added that during the engage
ment the Spanish authorities in Caiba-
rien had wired the military commander
of the district that the American ships
were bombarding the port and that
immediate response had been received
informing them that peace had been
restored, and the firing should ease.
The Spanish crew of the small boat
which brought this officer to the Man.
grove said the Spaniards had not lost
q man, but the officer himself made no
allusion to the fight, which lasted an
hour and ten minutes.
AS the Mangrove was creeping her
way out of the narrow channel, she
went aground and lay there five hours.
Had the mishap befallen her during
the engagement she would have been
pant urad