The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-07
WAS ALL A MISTAKE.
The Government Had Given Her Per-
mission to Go In.
ORDERS TO THE SQUADRON LOST
Tic French Government Had Duly
Asked Leave, Which Had Been
Granted, But the Warships
Were Unaware Of the Fact.
The Vessel Released and
the Incident Closed.

on BOARD ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT KATE SPENCER via
Key West. Fla, May 6.-The Lafayette
of the French General TRANSATLANTIC
Company's line, a vessel of 3.39l tons
gross register bound from Corunna,
Spain. on April 23d. for Havana, was
captured yesterday evening Oft the latter
port by the United States gunboat Anna
polls. Commander J. J. Hunker while
trying to run the blockade. after hav-
ing previously been warned of.
She has on board a large number OF
passengers and valuable general cargo.
possibly containing contraband Of war.
The Lafayette, which halls from st.
Nazarre, France, is a fine vessel Of the
old type She is over 3H feet long has
a feet beam and is over % feet deep.
She was built in 1864 al Greenock, Of iron.
HER CAPTURE.
Her capture was effected shortly be-
fore sundown last night in the follow
ing manner:
The Lafayette was heading for Havana
and was boarded by an officer Of the
Annapolis and warned not 10 enter the
port She afterwards made an attempt
10 do so and was captured, after an eX-
citing chase. The Wilmington, New
port and Morrill, took part in the cap
ture of the Frenchman.
After an examination Of the Leiayettes
papers had been made prize crew from
the Annapolis was placed on board. ana
she was sent to Key West, escorted by
the Wilmington.
Previous to this step being taken,
Commander Hunker Of the Annapolis,
the temporary flag officer and Com
mander c. G. Todd. of the wilmington
exchanged signals for over an hour.
1t is reported that the Lafayette IN ad-
dition 10 being a large French man
steamer IS a French naval reserve yes
sci. mounting guns and carrying crew
sufficient to make her ready for active
service at short notice. This, II Is sara,
adds considerably to the gravity OF the
international aspect OF the case.
A PEACEFUL SCENE.
The Kate Spencer. dispatch boat Oh the
Associated Press just before the chase
began. had spoken the Annapolis niue
east Of the Cojmar Battery ana lVe mics
on shore. The Annapolis with Venti.a-
tors spread had come up lazily from the
east and after having spoken, tne Speu-
Ger had gone about 10 80 turtner uo"h
the coast. The Cuban shore line, gray
with the hot atmosphere of the afternoon
never looked more peaceful
Four miles down the coast the grim
old tower of MORO stood froWhlhs' a 81
lent guardian of the cuban capll"i
whose roofs already reflected lhe reu
glow OF the declining sun. T..
II was a fine picture OF cuba IN
suddenly the calm was broken by one
otoctrfc call of "a chase when echoth
from the stern of the Spencer. me
Annapolis had put her helm hard ASA
board and was cleaying the waters III
rortbeast direction. Her dark runnels
belched out clouds OF black smoke as the
stokcrs piled coal on the furnaces ana
every EFFORT was made 10 drive the gum
boat M a high speed on the horizon
could be seen the fantest trace OF smoke
This was the quarry or the American
warship and circling swiftly, she was or
at full speed after her prey.
HEADED FOR HAVANA.
The stranger came up rapidly ana tne
marine glasses soon made her out TO be
. Mo liner. with red tunnels heading
straight for Havana. on she came,
under full steam. carrying a bone lh
her teeth as the sailors say when
vessel is throwing up a roll or Wnl'e
water forward as she drives through the
water at good speed.
There seemed 10 be no doubt that the
stranger was bent on running lhroush
the blockadng suadron u selllHs un-
der the guns OF MORO castle II possiDl''
before being overhauled.
But within five minutes, from as many
different directions, three OF Uncle sam
warships. which had been drifting ldly
on the tropical sea, had been galvanized
into life. attracted by the chase, ana
speedily Joined in the attempt TO Dlock
the strangers entrance 10 Havana.
While the Annapolis was rushing down
upon the steamer the Wilmington and
the Newport were also then bearing down
lpon her. and the Morrill,, which had
been nosing up toward the Associated
Press boat. also saw game atoot and
swung around across the path OF the liner
a sort of David challenging a Goliath FOR
the Morrill, Is only a smart little revenue
cutter. now acting as a dispatch boat and
a member Of the so-called Mosquito feet.
ORDERED TO HEANE TO.
The Annapolis, however had been doing
such fine work with her engines that she
overhauled the stranger two miles ahead
Of the.Morrill. There was a flash, pun
of white smoke 10 the lee followed by
the boom OF a gun fired down the wind,
which announced that Uncle Sam had
ordered the stranger TO heave to. The
liner obeyed. and the Morrill, and the As
ISOLATED Press dispatch boat started in
neck and neck race for the big prize.
In the meantime. a boat from the An
napolis had boarded the Frenchman as
the stranger proved 10 be- On board the
liner a crowd OF excited passengers press
ed anxlously about the vessels side,
From the south the wicked gray hull OF
the Wilmington. with her men at quar-
ters, and the delicately lined Newport
were looming up rapidly. moment or
so later the three warships lay by till the
boat from the Annapolis started back
from the liner TO the gunboat. Then sud
denly. TO the astonishment Of all on
board the warships. the Frenchman blew
a long querulous whistle and put on full
steam ahead. pointing straight TO the en-
trance OF Havana harbor.
THE SECOND ORDER.
A sharp word OF command rang OUT on
board the Annapolis and In less time
than II takes TO pencil these words her
crew were az quarters and the muzZie
% every gun OF her starbOard broadside
was pointing IN deadly earnest straight
at the runaway. Then the big after
gun roared forth q hoarse order, while