New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
FIGHT OVER SUNKEN SAFE
AMERICAN.TRANSPO IMPLICATED IN
CAPTURE OF FUROR's TREASURE.

CAPTURE OF FUROR'S TREASURE
Santiago de Cuba, March 1O-The rivalry over
the possession of a safe belonging to the sunken
Spanish torpedo boat Furor almost caused
second naval battle yesterday. Cendoya, the
agent of the Ward Line with his Cuban part
ners. has been engaged for several months in
salvage of the warships. and has done consid-
cradle work in blowing up the Furor, difficult
task on account of the depth of the water.
twelve fathoms Recently he located safe
supposed to contain $4,000 In Spanish gold
and returned to find the buoy removed He was
compelled to come to this city for pilot. and
returned to the wreck of the Furor yesterday.
where ne found the American transport Will
Jams, with a diver down. A rival diver there
upon descended, and each of them alleged that
he was the first to take possession of the safe.
quarrel ensued, and the transports diver
came up, alleging his rival had threatened him
with a knife. Cendoya's diver attached line
to the safe, which, he and his companions say.
the American officers took forciby intimidat-
ing them with rifles from the transport 1t is
said that the Cuban line failed TO raise the safe.
and the other diver succeeded in attaching a
line which secured the treasure On board the
Williams Captain Blunt. assistant quar-
termaster in charge of the transportation;
Lieutenant Hamilton, an engineer officer and
Superintendent Fowler, of the Barber Asphalt
Company
OFFICERS DENY COMPLETELY
The American officers disclaim any financial
interest in the expedition.
Captain Blunt says he allowed the divers and
others to use the Williams because, temporarily.
she not needed, and stood on her deck with
a rife which he says was not loaded, during
the quarrel. He disclaims any intention of US
ing his office, uniform arms to intmdate the
Cuban divers. Lieutenant Hamilton says he ac-
companied the expedition spectator.
Both boats returned to the harbor and Cen
doya secured order from the Court directing
the police to take possession of the safe. Fiji
teen armed policemen on the tug Colon followed
the Williams, manRuvring around the bay for
an hour. Finally the tug went alongside the
Williams, and the police, with drawn revolvers
prepared to board her when Captain Cooper,
commanding the Williams, confronted them
with rifle and announced his intention to kill
the first man who stepped on board He said
that the civil courts had no jurisdiction over
Government ships. The police thereupon re-
treated behind the pilot house and the Colon re-
turned her wharf.
Cendoya then reported the affair TO Depart
ment Commander Whitside, who ordered STAFF
Adjutapt Harbord to investigate the matter
Harboard and press representatives
searched the Williams at midnight, and no safe
found. Captain Blunt and Captain Cooper
dsclaim any knowledge of the present location
of the safe, which. Fowler says, was thrown
overheard. Fowler declined TO say whether the
contents had been removed He had a half in
terest in the expedition, and says he is a part
ner of McGrail. civil employe of Captain
Blults office. Cendoya is an American citizen
and makes serious charges against captain
Blunt which Commander Whitside will inveSti-
gate
CITBANS GREATLY INCENSED.
The Cubans resent the action of Captain Coop
er in refusing accept the service of a legal
process and they call Williams a pirate under
the American flag Many Americans criticise
Captain CoOper's action, but all admire his nerve
In facing fifteen revovers alone and compelling
a retreat. The haste of the policemen TO seek
cover is described very amusing.