The record-union., 1898-04-26
AT THE SEAT OF WAR.
The Dispatch Boat Dauntless Has a
Close Call.

MATANZAS Osland of Cuba), via
Key West Fla), April 25-T 80 a. m. }
On board the Associated Press dis
patch boat Dauntless: Between 9 and
10 o'clock last night the Associated
Press dispatch boat Dauntless was
steaming quietly toward Matanzas.
whose lights were reflected on the sky
few miles southeastWard. A large
fire on shore was exciting comment on
board the dispatch boat, and wonder
was rife as to where the United States
blockading fleet was to be found Sud
denly lookout on board the dispatch
boat reported: Torpedo boat astern:
coming up fast
a moment or so later. by her lights,
the red and green, the torpedo boat
Dupont was made out The rocket she
sent up was answered by the glare
from the searchlights on board the Du-
pont 'r4s Dispatch boat of the Asso-
ciated Press had come unawares with
ing three miles of Cuban shores, and
far inside the prescribed limits.
What followed was short sharp and
warIike. The Dupont ran up to the
dispatch boat and hailed her, What
boat is that?" Before answering the
an order from the megaphone saying:
Keep out of this; keep outside the six
mile line, or you will get a shot through
you"
After further colloquy. much more
friendly in tenor, as the Dupont learn
ed our peaceful mission. we were di-
rected to proceed slowly toward the
Cincinnati, and we were also advised
To
would befan us.
The Dauntless proceeded slowly, but,
it seems, not slowly enough, and the
glare of the cruisers searchlights fell
on Captain Floyd. The first intima-
ton that we were in too close proxim-
ity to the warship was contained in
the report Of a six-pounder. Then came
a quick hail, "Heave to, Dauntless." ."
Then came the order, Back her. back
her, or you will get a shot through
you" She was backed. Then the Du-
pont slowed up. quietly reporting to the
Cincinnati, This is the boat we sight
ed in close to shore"
A voice from the Cincinnati replied
Very good we will send boat aboard
of her"
All this time the glare of the cruisers
searchlights on the Dauntless was al
most intolerable, and afterward a boat
from the Cincinnati, pulled by six oars,
Ensign Mcintyre in the stern. came
alongside The first order was: Your
papers and log, please" These Were
produced, and found to be satisfactory.
Then, sure of cordial relations being as
sumed, we found we had transgressed
far within the limits set for vessels. and
had had a close shave of being fired
on with shot.
We exchanged news, and the Cincin-
natl having ordered the Dauntless to
lay to, permission was requested to re-
turn to Key West Ensign Mcintyre
said he would transmit the request to
the Cincinnati. Before leaving the
Dauntless the Ensign made the follow
ing entry in the Dauntless' log book:
AT l o'clock boarded by Naval Cadet
Mcintyre of the United States steam
ship Cincinnati. and Captain was in
formed that they We're not to enter any
Cuban port, under penalty of being
fired upon. Boat must first report to
outside squadron and obtain permission
before entering any port"
The Cincinnati was also informed that
the Dauntless would cheerfully take
back any mail. In ten minutes a boat
returned with this message: Captain
Chesters compliments, and he will be
obliged if you win take in this mail.
You can go. Advise that you steam due
west six miles when you make your
first course, or you may get into more
trouble
The instructions were obeyed. Before
we had gone six miles we saw a tor
boat astern, evidently keeping an
eye on us. Then we saw the Cincln-
natis searchlight sweep the horizon,
and soon afterward we heard four shots
in quick succession. AS they were 1ot
followed by others. we presumed that
some other boat had been overhauled.
Certainly there was no bombardment
of Matanzas commenced at night
The Dauntless made a great run. the
north gale having abated and the water
being smooth in the straits. She ar
rived off Sand Key light at Z o'clock
this morning.
THE FOOTE FIRED UPON.
The United States torpedo-b boat Foote
Continued on Eighth Page.)