The times., 1899-03-06
now THE COLON WAS
LOST AT SANTIAGO
Admiral Schley's Scheme to
Rescue the Prize.
His Timely Suggestion Promptly
0verraIed by Sampson.
The Story Told by II Tar at the Navy
Yard-A Small Fleet of
War uoats.

IefhaTS never before has the water front
at the Navy Yard presented a picture more
animated and interesting than now. and
the place has been thronged with visitors
for several weeks past. Riding at anchor
just off the sea wall are the dispatch boat
Dolphin. the two captured Spanish gun
boats Aivarado and Sandoval, the tugs
Wahneta and Tecumseh, the yachts Sylph
and Diane, and the two-masted schooner
Matchless. Numerous smaller craft add
life TO the scene. Groups of jackies are to
be seen promenading along the walks or
seated on some historic gun relating sto-
ries of the destruction of Cerveras fleet to
admiring crowds OF civilian visitors.
The little feet of war boats present
gala appearance, with the Stars and Stripes
and the naval ensign floating from their
mastheads. Interest seems TO centre
around the two Spanish prizes and their
decks are almost constantly crowded with
visitors. A Times reporter went aboard
the Alyarado yesterday and was received
with warm welcome by Albert Holiday,
steward of the mess, who explained that
supper was ready and that the reporter
could not inspect the boat until he had
'chucked.' Once at the table no intro
duction was necessary. The reporter was
known as mate" and all the delicacies
of a naval mess, including hot biscuit,
beefsteak, and coffee, were pressed upon
him. One old tar told an amusing story
at the expense of Holiday, about how,
when he first took charge of the kitchen,
he was continually getting things mixed.
The fresh water spigot is marked 'Dulce."
Spanish for sweet and the salt water spigot
is labeled ''Salada," Spanish for salt. Hol-
laday does not understand Spanish and. fire.
quently the mess had to drink coffee made
from salt water. After the meal the re-
porter was invited on the deck and the
workings and history OF the vessel were
explained in detail.
The boat was surrendered to the army
after the evacuation of Santiago and was
Immediately placed in charge of Lieut..
Victor Blue and detachment of sailors
from the Texas The dimensions of the
Aiyarado are: Length, 40 feet; beam. 10
feet; draught, 6l-2 feet. Her armament
consists of one rapid-fire Maxim gun of
81 millimeters, mounted in the stern, and
one siX-pounder forward. Fifteen Mauser
rifles were also found on the captured YES
sci. Her maximum speed is something
less than fifteen knots an hour. Shortly
after the evacuation of Santiago the AL
yarado was sent to Manzanilo under
flag of truce and was fired on by the Span
ish shore batteries. She returned a spir-
tied fire and succeeded in driving the
Spaniards from their guns. This. is the
only captured vessel that engaged in ac-
tual fighting against the Spaniards:
After remaining in Cuban waters for
some time the vessel was brought to this
country. Lieut. Victor Blue having been
transferred to the Massachusetts, the ves-
sci was placed In command Of Lieut.. A. E.
Anderson, with The following petty Off
GERS: Chief boatswain's mate, George
Hyck; chief machinist. William Grey;
Quartermaster, second class. Ion c. Fisk;
quartermaster, third class, G. A. Murphy;
boatswains mate, second class, James Dee
gan; machinist, first class, w. T. Mclean;
machinist, second class, W. C. Lowery;
gunner's mate. second class, John Smith;
frst-class fremen, Cicero Dutot, Robert
Phelan, and Thomas Campbell, and twenty
two seamen.
The Sandoval is a sister boat TO the Al
varado, and was sunk and scuttled by the
Spaniards in Guantanamo Bay. Under
the direction of Lieutenant Hobson she
was raised and brought to this country and
repaired, so that now she is entirely sea
worthy. Both of these vessels were brought
TO the Washington navy yard to be over
hauled and armed. They will remain here
until after the Peace Jubilee, in May, in
which they will appear in the naval parade.
The boats are regarded as valuable addi-
tions TO the navy. They are admirably
suited for duty on the Cuban coast. and
will doubtless be transferred to the reve-
nue. service.
While stationed here the same discipline
is observed on board as when at sea. The
decks are frequently cleared for action
and the regulation drills engaged in. AS
signments to duty on vessels like the
Alvarado and Sandoval are regarded in
high favor by Uncle Sans seamen, and
only the most trustworthy are thus de-
tailed. Both crews served with distinc-
tion in the naval battles of the late war,
and were in high glee yesterday evening