The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-25

| with Uncle Sans tars, all around rolling
| seas topped by white caps ana over all the
| freshenlng gale. ~
| THIS picture had for background a pale
| haze. beyond which were the mountains
| OF Cuba and in the middle dim distance
safiron lined Havana. with Il speck OF yell
low Striped with red. floating from the
Mcrro castle. How long will that stano-
| ara stay there? This VAS the thought
which entered every mind as the haw ser
frightened and the Mathide, following the
Dauntless, was rushed through the wdlsr
toward Key West. The passage to this
port was rough one, oil course. but 1t
Was not worse than usual and without any
special event Of chronicle.
The New York had the honor of firing
the first shot that announced the United
States blockading the port OF Havana
The scene OF This opening OF an event
which may prove to be the pRlltnged hos
tilities between the governments OF the
United States and Spain. Was Just off the
coast of Cuba at a point about ten niles
east of MORO castle. The shot was fired
pcross the bow of the Spanish steamer Pedro
of Bilbao. outward bound from HAVANA
She hove to Immediately and in the course
of an hour rize crew from the flagship
New York was in charge of the ship and
she was ON her way 10 Key West. The
capture of the Pedro occurred at o'clock
Friday afternoon, In full view of the AS
sociated Press dispatch boat Dauntless.
An hour before the fleet, with the May.
flower and he torpedo boats. was pro
ceeding al nine-knot speed from Key
West to the Cuban coast The vessels
then were about twenty miles north OF
Havana A haze hung over the southern
horizon and thc faintest outline OF the
shore could be seen al intervals Suddenly
the New York quickenea her speed and
Went alongside OF the Mayfiower and Inc
leading torpedo boat. She halted q mo-
ment and gave some instructions To Inc
remainder of the fleet and then drew away
from the others and shot away in SOUTH
easterly direction. Faster and faster she
went and longer became the distance be-
tween her and the other ships Black
smoke poured from her tunnels and she
appeared to be trying to equal her 22-knot
record made on her trial trip. At first II
was supposed she was makiAs the e..
trance 10 Havana hnrbor with the inten-
ton of laying ouisids and sending beats
ashore with some formal communication 10
the authorities possibly giving them TWEEN
four houTs notice OF bombardment.
The Dauntless was right after the New
York. After twenty niles fast run the
rest of the way 1t became apparent inst
the New York was heading TO the eNet OF
MORO castle The outlook in the tops oil
tbe military masts had sighted the Span
ish colors flying from a spanish steamer.
which had Just left Havana har5or. Those
on board the steamer must have seen the
New York. but they made no pretenFe 2.
stonpinr. The chase continued for nearly
nm hour and by that time the New YORK
lad passed the steamer and stopped about
half mile of her port bow PUT o.
smoke came from the New York, followed
by sharp report of six FOUNDER The
..t,ot 5,.ssad over the steamers bows and
threw mn a great spray when II struck the
water. There was no mistak'ng rs mean
inr. The steamer stopped its engines I'M
media.ely and swung around In the hcsYy
sea which was running The next move
cama nromptly. A large whale boat was
lowered from the New York The prize !
proved 10 be vessel Of 1000 tons she
WAS apparently In ballast or mad ''gnt
cargo
The sun was just sinking below me nefi-
xon when the prize crew from wv ~"
Vel, cIin,beJ over the side OF the Pedro,
and few minutes .iater tne spareA
sign was hauled down.
While this was transpiring the ou,iles
os snother steamer were seen scyera ntes
r. the westward. Dusk was comins ~,
ma Il WAS impossible to distinguish heI
,ati,paIitv. lint the New York dull oAt .of
her as soon as she cast loose the WILL
boat with the prIze crew for Ine ~
The New York then firfd blank spp. y
warning 10 hcaye 10 ~ ine ny s,.', =, ,,'
the second vessel sighted. and spun fiu,-
~ nronsr distance the New York flrcc 2 /
seSot,d shot tris time nrrort tne pawn 2.
the second steamer end the latter hove 20
- rynn,, Investigation 1t wss lsaine'i ipat
ahe vas s German steamer Tst nag s'ss