The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-13
Was With His Father and Mother on The
Big British Ship Honolulu
AROUSED BY NOISE OF BOMBARDMENT


New York. April 13.-ward Dexter is
distinguished as being one OF the
youngest persons who Witnessed the
Dewey and the subsequent operations
OF the Americans in the subjugation Of
Manila.
Ward is but four years old, and he
is the only son of Capt. Dexter OF the
British ship Honolulu. which arrived
here from Manila after a voyage of l45
days. through storms and calms.
The Honlulu reached Manila about
April q. 1898, from Newcastle. n. $.
W.. with cargo OF $500 tons OF coal.
This coal undoubtedly would have all
found IFS way on board the Spanish
war ships had not Admiral Dewey op-
portunely destroyed them on May l.
When Dewey's squadron steamed into
the harbor and began the attack which
ended in the reuuCtiOn of Cavite and
the destruction of the Spanish fleet the
onOiulu was lying at anchor, with a
uozen other ships, in Manila bay, di-
rectly opposite the city. About 1000
tons of her cargo had been discharged.
his son Ward and his little daughter
Lilly May, "a toddler OF three years,
who were all asleep in the after cabin.
The cannOndding at 4 o'clock In the
morning awoke the captain and his
family, and young Ward insisted on
'peekin' out" Rover. the ships dog.
"a gigantic broWn-Coated animal, also
exhibited the greatest excitement,
rushing about the cabin and uttering
deep bays.
shut up. Rover" said Ward, "you
tan't fight. Youll det shooted." But
Rover was not To be pacifed and Capt.
Dexter finally let MIN out on deck.
Ward made a series OF entreaties of
take me, too" and the captain, noting
that the firing was in the direction of
Cavite and fully two miles and a half
from the Honolulu, wrapped his young
son up i'm a blanket and carried him
out on deck.
Mrs. Dexter, too. finally Joined her
husband but Lilly May slept on, un-
conscious OF the history that was be-
ing made around her.
The captain, his wife and his son
stood on the quarter deck, and Rover,
too. managed to climb the steep COM
panionway and. placing his forepaws
on the skylght, watched the lombard
ment with as keen interest as the 9TH
ers. Whenever an unusually loud
head and utter deep bay, as If he
smelled the battle from afar and en-
joyed it,
Young Ward was permitted To look
through his fathers field glasses as
the daylight opened, and he was soon
able TO distinguish the American from
the Spanish war ships.
"Oh. my. papa, but the Spaniards are
getting II. Two. three. four ships gone
down bing! The Yankee men do sink
'em all. Poor Spaniards."
When they had watched the fight
awhile Capt. Dexter became conscious
Of n purring sound at his feet. and a
second later something soft and furry
rubbed against his right foot. II was
Minnie Young. a Siamese cat, Wards
pet and plaything, and a very curious
animal Withal. Minnie Young is now
steon months old. She has the softest
fur imaginable and is the most curious
looking feline ever brought 20 New
York. The feet and half OF each leg. as
well as her head. ears and tail, are Of
snuff color, shaded almost to black In
parts while the body and the breast
OF the cat are OF a creamy white color.
At first glance the cat looks as II the
-bru~n part had hecn slnge1. The chap
tain picked her up when sne Joined the
group on the quarter deck. and young
Ward held her while he watched the
fight.