The record-union., 1898-04-25
Captain Chadwick Turned His Back
in Silent Contempt.
The New York Captures the Spanish Trad
Ing Steamer Pedro and Sends Her to
Key West Dispatch Boat
Anita'S Narrow Escape.

OFF HAVANA (on board the flag
ship New York;, April Copyright
ed 1888. by the Associated Press), > a.
m.-Morro Castle opened fire on the
fighting squadron of the United States
at II O'Clock last night. About ten
shots were Sent in the direction of our
ships but not one of them took effect
and no shots were fired in return.
The Spaniards evidently had seen the
lights of the New York while the lat
ter was signaling to ship of the
squadron.
The firing was reported by the officer
Of the deck. Ensign J. r. Edie to
Captain Chadwick, who was asleep at
the time. The young officer asked the
Captain in command whether the New
York had not better discontinue sig
Mailing.
mo" muttered Captain Chadwick,
with the utmost coolness. There is
no necessity for stopping the signals.
Go ahead"
A little later Captain Chadwick was
on the forward bridge, whence he
watched the tongues of flames shoot
out from MORO Castle. lie glanced
in the direction OF the Spanish forti-
turned his back on them in silent con-
tempt and went back to his bed, per-
fectly certain the Spaniards could do
no damage at five miles. which was
then the approximate distance of the
flagship from Morro Castle.
Another officer said: The Spaniards
probably became nervous and decided
they could not sleep without some fire
h inc
way"
There was no excitement on board
the flagship during the castles futile
attempt at gunnery. The discipline
was really splendid.
The United States cruiser Cincinnati
Captain c. NJ. Chester, reported to the
flagship at midnight: L have a
prize" The extent and value of the
capture made by the Cincinnati is not
known at this writing.
Morro Castle light, which was burn
ing brightly all the evening, was put
out at midnight. The Spaniards evi-
IDENTIFY realized though rather late. that
the sole use of Morro lights at that
time had been TO serve as a guide for
the fleet Of the United States.
The capture of the Spanish steam
er Pedro and the incidents attending on
the squadron's appearance before Ha-
vana, already reported briefly in these
dispatches, form an intensely interest
ing initial chapter of the history of the
war
About 4;30 2. m. yesterday, when
Havana was fifteen miles distant, the
squadron was signalIed into battle in
formation of double column, the New
York leading the battleships and the
Cincinnati leading the cruisers and
gunboats. Just as the evolution was
completed, the following signal was
hoisted on the flagship Disregard
movements of Commander-in-Ch Chief" 8"
simultaneously Captain Chadwick sent
Chief Engineer &. J. Mcconnell this
message: Get up all the steam you
can A steamer has been sighted and
the Admiral wishes to capture her"
Aefew moments later smoke was pour
ing from all three OF the New York's
tunnels and she stood away to the
southeast The squadron, led by the
Iowa. continued on its course in q
southwesterly direction. The New York
was soon tearing through the water at
a rapidly increasing speed and was fast
leaving the squadron in the rear.
Away in the distance close under the
mist-covered hills of Cuba, midway be
tween Havana and Matanzas, could he
seen the outlines of q large steamer
headed to the eastward. Then the old
cry of "A chase. a chase" echoed fore
and aft, and the officers and crew Of the
New York gathered on her decks. eager
" watching the flagship churn through
the blue water foaming white at iler
stern until she was making about II
knots.
The Admiral paced the forward bridge
as calmly as if watching potato race,
The New York gained rapidly on the
stranger until to the delight of all On
board the cruiser it was evident th2r
the latter would cut off the steamer
from escape. The crew Of the New York
by this time were at their stations and
the guns were loaded and trained. When
the Spanish flag was seen flying at the
strangers stern, cry Of delight Went
up from the blue jackets on board he
New York 1t was evident that the
Spaniard was doing her best to Set
away from the cruiser and was hold
ing in nearer and nearer to the coast
hoping to find safety in shallow water,
where the warshias could not dare fol-
low.