New-York tribune., 1900-05-28
THE CHASE OF THE TARLAC.
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT ON THE
COAST OF LUZON

REMARKABLE INCIDENT ON THE
COAST OF LUzoN.
ENSIGN MCCARTHY. COMMANDING THE COAST
PATROL MINDoRo. HAS TO FORE
GO PRIZE.
Manila April Is.-The small gunboats that the
United States bought captured from Spain, YES
sells of the Isyte. the Samar. the Mndoro and the
Pampanga type. are commanded by young naval
officers and do patrol duty along the coast The
Mindoro. Ensign Mccarthy commanding. has just
returned from the northwest coast OF Luzon where
for two months she had been steaning back and
forth looking for f1libusters Such duty is monot-
onous to degree, heavy a hot being
about the only differences from day another.
But now and then excitement does come 10 this
patrol. and the weary work of months Is forgotten
in the hope of good capture good fight.
Two weeks ago. at o'clock OF a misty morning.
the vigilant watch on the Mindoro. cruising north
of APART. spied steamers lights and the gunboet
was headed to the strangers bows No
especial interest attached TO the strange vessel
by the of the gunboat for the coastvise
traders are always slipping in ana out OF Aparri
Still, ii is the duty Of the patrol TO ascertain what
all vessels are doing. any may be on illegiti-
mate business The Mindoro running without
lights. She had come to within mile and half
Of the stranger. when the latter suddenly changed
her course, and the heavy clouds of smoke that
rolled from her funnel told those the gunboat
that she was going to away. Then hope
dawned in the hearts OF the coast patrol After
waiting and watching for two months perhaps they
had at last found enemy. The jingle bell rang
in the engine and the Mindoro gathered head
way for the chase
DISREGARDED THE PATROLS SHOTS.
Fire a shot well across her bowr' commanded
Ensign Mccarthy. and the 6-pounder barked its
arbitrary orders over TO the stranger. She paid
no attention.
Give her another. well clearr' came the order
from the bridge. But the second summons was
unheeded like the first.
Drop her this time so she'll hear It
passw ordered the ensign. and the gunner obeyed
The stranger answered this third and decisive
summons by putting out her lights and throwing
back roll of black smoke that hid her from the
view Of the pursuing gunboat. To say the crew of
the Mindoro were hopeful and jubiant but family
expresses their enthusiasm. The stranger had
given every proof Of being enemy. Her disre-
gard Of the third summons 10 halt branded her
such, and the instructions given TO the sea sentry
are like those given to the sentry land: Fire
if the third order 10 halt is disregarded.i
Here was prize in their very grasp. She
surely a flibuster trying TO land arms
steamer conveying the fugitive Aguinaldo Hong
Kong-no such capture had been made in a year
and the patient waiting aid watching of the
Mindoro were at last 10 be rewarded. There were
the best Of good reasons believe this. Why
should any honest ship from the third sum-
mons TO halt knowing, as all ships do what comes
after?
The Mindoro was doing her eight and half
knots and the stranger mile ahead, hidden
by the smoke from her funnel
Can you get sight her?" asked the bridge
of the gunner.
NO, sir nothing but her smoke"
open fire on her-three thousand yartsr' and
following this order the 6-pounder sent shot after
shot into the cloud Of smoke ahead After the fifth
shot there were three sharp reports from the
direction Of the stranger and three bullets sang
over the gunboat's deck. Then the crew Of the
Mndoro positively cheered they Were so happy
They cleared the ship for action, brought on
deck their twelve Lee rifles and liberal suppy of
ammunition for all her guns There was doubt
OF II now; here was the best chance that had
come coast patrol since the work began
After the eighth shot from the s-pounder the
stranger blew long blasts on her whistle and
then slowed down. The Mndoro through her
trailing smoke and In a few minutes close TO
a black painted steamer her lights again lit and
her decks crowded with men. Ensign Mccarthy
called away boat with armed and pre-
pared to board. As he left the Mindoros side
voice from the stranger called in good English
Are you American ship?' Mccarthy, not wish
ing to give the supposed enemy the advantage of
any Information concerning his identity especially
when one-third of his available fighting force were
an easy mark in an open boat replied II will
speak with you when I board you
AS the Mindoro's boat approached the strange
steamer the question again shouted 10
the ensign, and he answered II as he had done the
first time.
ON THE DECK OF THE TARLAC
At length Ensign Mccarthy mounted the stran-
gers gangway and on reaching her decks he noticed
they crowded with frightened and astonshed
Filipinos
Tell the captain of this ship that want TO see
him upon the bridge at once" ordered the American
officer and he walked forward. At this moment
a man in pajamas overlook him. and introduced
himself Major Whitley. of the 18th Regiment.
IT am Ensign Mccarthy commanding the United
States gunboat Mindoro," answered the naval Of
Major Whitley. Ensign Mccarthy and the Spanish
captain Of the Compania Maritma's steamer Tar
lac, for such the vessel proved 10 be, then pro
ceeded the bridge, and the incomprehensihe
matter was explained
The Tarlac bound from Laoag. on the west
coast, Aparri, on the north. She had on board
fifty Filiplnos for the latter port seven American
DAYS in the islands and was joining his regiment
Aparri. Before the Tarlac left Laoag Major White
passengers contemplated mutiny and the capture
of the steamer before she ched her destination.
with men on the coast who at designated point
were 10 board the Tarlac from armed raft and
helm in the fighting. So Major Whitley very
careful and watched closely for the promised raft.
When the Mindoro was sighted she was mistaken
for raft and Major Whitley told the captain of
the Tarlac to steam away. This was done. Later
it occurred TO the Major that j. would be go9d o
enemy The Spanish captain declined TO attempt
this, giving as his reason that no raft could steam
eight knots hour and fire shells from s.
FOUNDER. and he was not going 10 try 70 ram an
Whitley of his mistake. who as an American officer
on a chartered transport was in command OF that
vessel and 9y TirIT9 oD DI lT his ght from I6e sIn
posed raft until after the eighth shot from the
Mindoro This was the explanation OF the Tarlacs
curious behavior
INFORMATION FOR MAJOR WHITLEY.
Ensign Mccarthy explained to Major Whitley
had Or in "