The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-27
THE ALFONSO XII.
A Spanish Account of the Way She Came
To Her End.

Havana, July 25.-The following is a
translation from q newspaper OF Glen
fuegos of the loss of the Spanish steamer
Alfonso XII, which was driven ashore
on the coast of Cuba by the United States
auxiliary gunboat Hawk: Yesterday, -
saws FL Correa of Havana, "there arrived
here the survivors of the fine trans
Atlantic steamer Alfonso XII. which was
scuttled in the waters of Mariel. With a
natural desire to obtain information
which would calm the anxiety of the
nublic. we interviewed the survivors and
ascertained that they were rendered near
" insensible by fatigue and anxiety.
Their feet were sore from walking from
the head of the valley of Mariel to Guam
ajay and their hands were badly lacerated
in violent and futile efforts to save the
cargo. We will faithfully relate that
which occurred, reserying what in our
Judgment it is not permitted to give tc
the public and what might serve as ad :
vice to our enemy.
"The Alfonso XII. was fitted out in
Cadiz with six cannon, the necessary
crew, three companies of marines and
other necessary articles. In twenty days,
says her captain, I hoped to make port
and land the troops Immediately.
nayigated the Alfonso XII. with hope in
God and in the valor of my own crew.
ran with all possible speed to the heights
of Cienfuegos, where came out three
cruisers of the enemy. Seeing Them the
Alfonso XII. took flight toward the Isle
of Pines in which waters I lost sight OF
our pursuers. Believing myself now free
from pursuit laid my course directly to-
ward Havana with the full intention of
making that harbor. When eight miles
distant, my course was intercepted by
three other cruisers, which was unable
to encounter. The American cruisers took
position on my port and starboard and
ahead. I then steered the Alfonso XII.
toward Mariel, where hoped to embark
the men. I decided to save the cargo as
the object in coming was to land pro-
visions and the cargo on the island. I
saw an embarrassing situation. The
Yankees began throwing she'll which
landed in all directions around the ship
which proves, what we have said a
Thousand times, that the Americans are
not artillerists. OF the hundreds of pro
ieotiles thrown at the Alfonso XII. only
eight struck the ship. This corroborate!
our opinion Of their bad training.
"Then Captain Moret ordered the cargo
to be thrown overheard, in order thai
some portions might float to the shore,
which was only pistol shot distance
we got out boat, he says, and prepared
to torpedo the ship. saw the American.
would not delay destroying the fine shiI
and therefore placed an explosive bomt
between the two tunnels Of the Alfonso
XII. and instantly blew up the ship in {
column of smoke SO dense and SO thiol
that it appeared like an immense cloud
obscuring the atmosphere and making
breathing difficult. In this moment Of
detection corrosive liquid fire enveloped
the ship and Tapped up the wood like 6
hungry serpent. The crew being hopeless
had only time to jump into the water tc
escape this fiery furnace. Thus has beer
consumed the best ship of the Trans-At-
lantio company and the pride of the
feet /"