The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-06-10

treat of the enemy into the harbor.
The evolutions had to be carried on
with great care, to avoid getting in the
line of fire. The searchlights played
frequently, and private signals burned
brightly.
A dim object like small boat en-
veloped in smoke was seen in the port
hand from the signal bridge, and En-
sign Murlin reported to Captain Chad
wick, "a torpedo boat one point for
ward on the port beam, sir, headed
this way"
Captain Chadwick, with Rear Ad-
miral Sampson, was on the forward
bridge. Before a shot was fired from
the flagship this curious, lurking object
disappeared. 1t must have been two
or three miles away from the New
York, and the same distance away from
the New Orleans. The Oregon, grim
and big, crossed the New York's bow
in the direction the torpedo boat was
reported. The torpedo boat was still
headed for shore. When mile away
and close to Moro Castle an object
was seen from the cliffs. 1t was thought
to be a torpeo boat, and the New
York's forward eight-inch guns bel
lowed out hideous noise, lighting up
the crowded decks and filing the air
with bright smoke. On shore a few
sparks close to dark object showed
where the shells struck.
After careful watch the New York
steamed back to her station. and tho
men went back to their hammocks
There had been no firing from the forts.
and accounts differ as to whether the
torpedo boat did or did not return the
a To J.,x~
captain Folger reported that he had
sighted small steamer. perhaps a
gunboat; that she had failed to answer
the private signals, and that he had
fired on her. He believed she had es-
capped along the beach or had been de-
stroyed-he could not tell which.
That ended the night attack. and the
first experience of torpedo boats in
naval warfare. 1t was not until the
Porter found the torpedoes that the
danger of last nights affair was fully
realized. The Porter was steaming two
miles from shore, and we'll to the east
ward of MORO Castle. when two tor
pedoes We're seen floating on the water.
Ensign ellis jumped overheard and
swan around them. He tried to I'M
screw the war nose, but the torpedo
itself turned too easily in the water
He returned to the Porter, and COM
mander Fremont finally got one of the
torpedoes safely on board. The other
sank as he was getting it in
Commander Fremont then brought
the torpedo alongside the New York.
1t was fourteen-inch Whitehead of
modern make. and worth $500 Tt
was in perfect condition, and had any
OF our ships struck it while it fioated
1t would have exploded and perhaps
sunk the ship.
1t is possible that there were two tor
pedo boats out last night, although
only one is believed to have approached
anywhere near our ships.
The ability of a Spanish torpedo boat
destroyer to get out from the harbor
is not regarded as a sign that the Mer-
rimac does not block the channel lead
ing into it. Torpedo boats draw so
little water and have so little beam
that it was scarcely expected that the
sinking of the Merrimac would prevent
them from coming out.
Two curious pictures of war were
presented yesterday. In the afternoon
the Spanish chief of staff was sitting
amicably in Admiral SIMPSONS cabin.
and saying, over glass of wine. you
know there is nothing personal in this"
and few hours later his torpedo boat
apparently comes out and tries to blow
the Admiral and his ship out Of the
water