The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-18
HUNTING SUBMARINE MINES.
A Thrilling Incident During the
Spanish A merican War.

A remarkable incident of the recent
war with Spain. showing the daring of
the American seaman and marine, is
graphically told by one of the partici-
pants. Its thrilling features are such as
to make them welcome additions to the
late war history.
A thrilling story, which has never be-
fore received newspaper mention, con-
Germs the experiences of some of the crew
of the lately wrecked Yosemite. who were
detailed to locate and drag for mines of
the enemy in Guantanamo Bay. The
launch of the steamer that was used for
the expedition is the same boat from
which five men were drowned during the
recent disaster. while trying to get line
ashore at Guam. The launch was in
charge of Capt B. S. Neumann. and with
him were Lieutenant Eustis and twelve
marines Among them were Charles B.
King. in charge of the engine; AL Steele
and William Ryan, firemen; Willard Z.
Buhl. coxswain; James A. Ballard. Harry
NJ. Leonard. and Ed Ryan, seamen. Mr..
King tells the story of the perilous I'M
dertaking as follows:
I'VE left the Yosemite at IL clock at
night and started out in the search for
mines. 1t was a clear, beautiful, starlit
night, making the chances of detection all
the more probable. A Colts rapid-fire
gun was mounted in the bow ready for
emergency, and a tarpaulin was spread
over the forward cockpit to keep back the
reflection of the fires. The firemen worked
under cover of the tarpaulin, the coal be-
ing gently chucked in by hand to avoid
the noise that the use of a shovel would
produce. 1t was trying work for the fire.
men, who were Obliged to use the utmost
caution and to labor in very cramped
quarters. Under no circumstances were
we permitted to travel under more than
100 pounds of steam, for fear OF an unex-
pected exhaust from the safety valve. A
naviSators dark lantern was placed on
the gauge glass, throwing small ray of
light on the gauge. This in turn was COW
cred by coat to prevent the light being
seen.
I'VE first went to the Marblehead for
graphing irons, and Cuban guide, who
was to point out the location of the
mines. After proceeding a short distance
we found that the phosphorescents under
the bow and the turning of the wheel
made a strong white light. and the engine
was then slowed down until the launch
made only about three miles per hour.
We steered in large circles, gradually
working up to the narrow part of the
bay. Gradually We worked toward the
town, until we were directly in front of
the fort and in beautiful range of the en-
emy's guns.
Il had been at the throttle and in
charge of the engine the greater part OF
the night, and being in need of a rest
turned the engine over to an assistant
and went into the after cockpit to lie
down for a nap. Before doing SO l eau
toned the assistant not to allow the
steam to come over 100 pounds. After
sleeping about half hour l got up to find
that the steam gauge registered ~
and as the safety valve usually
blew oil at l34. it was an extremely try
ing moment. Prompt action was neces-
sary. The relief pipe to the condenser
was opened, ashes were thrown over the
fire, and the engine opened up as much
as possible to take care of the extra
of steam. 1t seemed hours to us
in our condition of suppressed excitement
before the hand gauge began to show
decreasing pressure. II the safety valve
had blown off on so quiet night far up
in the landlocked harbor We would have
been soon surrounded and captured, II
we had not met a worse fate. We had
rockets aboard to notify our ship in case
of distress, but as we We're four or five
miles away 1t would have been impossi
bic for aid to reach us in time.
IAN hour before dawn we started on
the return trip, and We're all safely on
board the Yosemite by daylight, much to
the satisfaction of our friends The late
Ensign John Burns exclaimed: Thank
God, the boys are home again!' Seven
mires were afterward brought to the sur
face near where we dra gged, each capa-
Bile of being fired by contact as well as
by electricity from short connections.
Each contained rs pounds of sunpowder.
The Marblehead and the Dolphin also had
heir launches out looking for mines, but
they stayed close TO the mouth or the
harbor and didn't work toward Cal
menira."
Ii may be added. though Mr. King mod
estly refrained from dwelling upon this
phase of the adventure, that the crews of
he Marblehead and Dolphin launches re-
ceived handsome medals and honorable
mention from the Government, while the
"a rticipants in the Yosemite exploit were
entirely ignored. Lieutenant Truman II.
Newberry brought the matter to the at
-ention of Captain Emory, who consid-
,red the incident hardly worthy OF men
.ion.-Philadelphia Times.