The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-27
SpA|M'S FLAG LOWERED BY OUR GUNS |
FIRST SHOT FIRED.
a Merchantmen Flying the Colors Of the
Enemy Brought to Key West BY the
Gunboat Nashville

The Spanish merchant ship. the
Buena Ventura, is the first prize, hav-.
ing surrendered when the first shots OF
the Spanish war were fired.
Friday morning the fleet at Key
West. under sealed orders set sail
When some distance out vessel was
seen, carrying the Spanish flag. The
gun boat Nashville was dispatched to
capture the merchant vessel. which
surrendered after the second shot had
been fired across her bows. She proved
TO be the Buena Ventura, laden with
lumber and carrying q crew of 20 men,
The vessel was taken to Key West. The
crew were allowed their liberty, but
fearing the Cubans. preferred to re-
main on board and were put to work
carrying coal on the Dolphin.
The captain of the Spanish vessel
was disgusted and found consolation In
vigorously pulling at his cigarettes.
The Buena Ventura, with her cargo,
Is worth, II Is estimated 100000 To dis
pose of her as war prize she will
have to be condemned In the United
States District Court. After the court
decides that she was n legitimate prize
she will be sold at auction. One-half Of
her value belongs to the Government
direct, and the other half to the men
who captured the prize. In the follow
Ing portions: One-twentieth to the
fleet captain; the remainder to the
Nashville men and officers, one-tenth
to commander of the gun-boat and the
remainder to the men and officers ac-
cording to their rate Of pay. Something
will go to the naval vessels within sig
nal distance at the time of the capture.
The steamer Pedro, from Antwerp.
for Pensacola, Fla, arrived at Key
West Saturday morning, having been
captured by the flagship New York.
not far from Havana. The Pedro Is
Spanish freighter of 1892 tons and left
Antwerp March 25. AS soon as she was
laid alongside. the Pedro was boarded
by Ensign Frank Marble, of the New
York
Ensign Marble led a prize crew, con-
sisting of file of marines and seamen.
With great formality the Ensign
swung aboard and assumed command.
A burly. barefooted American tar
showed the Spanish quartermaster
away from the wheel and began to set
the course Of the Spanard.
The American torpedo boat, Ericsson
captured fleeing fishing boat imme
iiately under the guns of MORO castle
last Saturday. The prize was sent to
| Key West
The fleet captured last Saturday the
schooner Mathilda, of Havana, laden
with rum. The schooner was taken by
the torpedo DOat IOTteT uIteT lNely
chase, during which a number of solid
shots were fired.
The United States gunboat Helena
left Key West Sunday morning to Join.
the fleet now blockadfng Havana.
While cruising the Spanish steamer
Michael Jover hove in sight. A blank
shot from the Helena brought her at a
halt, and prize crew from the Helena
towed the Spaniard to Key West. The
captured ship is laden with cotton and
| slaves and is worth sb50.0O0.
The transatlantic Spanish steamer
Catalina. was taken Sunday morning
by the cruiser Detroit and towed to
Key West.
The gunboat Wilmington captured
the Spanish schooner Candida with a
deckload of charcoal intended for
Havana. where 1t Is extremely val
liable for fuel.
The torpedo boat Porter captured the
| Spanish schooner Antonio, laden with
| sugar for Havana.
The revenue cutter Winona. captured
the Spanish steamer Saturnia, at Ship
Island Miss. last Sunday.
The Winona also captured the Span
lsh steamer, La Cumina-