Gilpin observer., 1902-01-23
BATTLE AT PANAMA
REvoLvTloNlsrs SINK A SHIP.
Government Forces of Colombia Meet
Disaster-Gcneral Alban Killed.

Disaster-General Alban Killed.
Panama, Jan. 21.-Making their long.
expected attack on Panama from the
sea this morning, the Colombian Liber-
ais, or revolutionists, precipitated with
in sight of the citizens naval battle
greater than Panama has seen in many
years.
They set on fire and sank the Lau-
taro, a government ship, and one of
their vessels, the Darien, was beached
There was heavy loss in killed and
wounded, especially on the government
side, the dead including General AL
ban. Sailors from the United States
cruiser Philadelphia rescued many OF
the wounded.
More far reaching in effect even than
the naval fight is expected to be the
death Of General Alban, military and
civil governor Of Panama and the
northern coast of Colombia, and prac-
tcally dictator in his district He was
killed while leading his men in person
ON the steamer Lautaro, which only a
few days ago he seized from a Chilian
company. Standing on the quarter
deck encouraging his men after the
ship was on fire, he was struck by a
bullet from a rebel gunboat. He died
quickly, and not long afterward his
men were in full retreat from the burn
ing ship. She was deserted by her
crew within an hour after they lost the
inspiration of General Alban's leader
ship.
The previous efforts of the insurgents
to get in control of the Isthmus of Pan
anna had been made on land.
Learning that the latest expedition,
commanded by General Herrera, who
was defeated here last year, would at
tack the sea, General Alban chartered
two steamers and seized the Lautaro
to repel the invasion. With scarcely
1000 troops at his command he manned
three ships and sent to the General
Pinzon, on the Atlantic side, for rein
forcementS.
Slipping into Panama by at 6 o'clock
this morning, the revolutionary vessels
Almirante Padilla, formerly a Saliva
dorean gnnboat, with the Darien and
Gaitan, practically surprised the Lau-
taro, the largest of the government
ships. The Padilla, which has an ex-
cellent equipment of rapid-fire guns.
went close to the Lautaro, and before
that ship could make an effective re-
ply to her first fire, killed or wounded
scores of the Iiautaro's crew.
The Darien and Gaitan started in the
direction of the long government sea
wharf near the city. This wharf had
been fortified by General Alban, as the
result of the capture recently Of letters
that outlined the insurgents plan.
With the Boyaca. which had been
chartered from the Panama Canal Com
pany, absent getting troops at Chiriqui.
the only other government vessel effect
i've was the Chicuito, which had been
chartered from the Pacific Steam Navi-
gatien Company. The Chicuito at
tempted to cut off the Darien and Gal
tan, and the PadilIa sent three shots
from her heaviest guns at the Chicuito.
This vessel replied with rapid fire guns
and the Padilla moved away a little,
evidently inconvenienced. In moving
off, the Padilla got within range of the
guns of the Las Bovedas fortress, and
several shots fell close to the ship. So
far as could be seen there was no evil
dence that this vessel was struck, ex-
cept that she moved slowly after the
exchange with the Chicuito. There was
great deal of maneuvering without
any damage being done.