Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01

starving mad, lying in the bottom of the
yawl too weak and emaciated to even cry
for help. Before another day came, that
would have assuredly brought death, the
men were picked up by fishermen just on
the Cuban coast a few miles below Ha-
vana. Water and food were forced down
their threats a little at a time. At first
1t seemed as though relief would be as
likely to prove fatal as suffering had been
before, but slowly, under the ministering
hands of the fishermen, they improved.
Almost worn out by their awful expe-
rience, they were taken to Havana and
turned over to the authorities. They were
taken before the captain general and told
their story. Struck by the tale and by
the appearance of the prisoners, he re-
leased them on parole. The freedom of
the city was theirs.
But the publicity given the event reach
ed the army authorities in the north, and
an officer was dispatched to bring them
back When he arrived Austin and his
companion were summoned to appear be-
fore the governor Of the island. A young
lieutenant in his blue uniform was there
awaiting them in the private Office of the
captain general. who sat at his desk writ
ing. At last he turned toward the group.
In his hand he held document which he
handed to Austin. 1t was certificate of
citizenship In Cuba. Swapping their I'm
gers at the officer who had come to get
them, they left the palace free men.
During the remainder Of their stay in
the Cuban capital Captain Austin and his
companion struck UP a close friendship
with the governor who had given them
their liberty. This fact proved their sal
walton later.
The BIockader's Last Run.
But Il was in Galveston harbar that the
Il. ~awrg
war career occurred under the eyes OF
the entire city Old men tell of 1t yet,
although with years the memory Of the
deed is dimmed. In broad daylight Cap
tain Austin ran the blockade OF the port
with his ship, the Susanna, and brought
provisions and war supplies to a dis
tressed land.
1t was in the last year of the struggle,
the result Of which was already forgope.
Almost all of the blockaded ports along
the Atlantic and the gulf had been cap
tured, and the entire southern squadron
was blockading the harbor. The story of
the event, as told by the commander of
the United States ship Seminole. which
led the chase, has already been published
in the New York World under the title of
"A Dash Through a Fleet" The author
ity for the tale already told was unac-
quainted with the identity Of the captain
of the vessel he had chased, but with due
consideration gives him credit for being
''the coolest man that ever walked a
quarterback"
The Susanna was built on the Clyde, and
was a long, low steamer built for speed
and concealment. Time after time she
had run into Galveston harbor through
the fleet collected outside, but always be-
fore at night. Her arrival was regular
and always on time. When expected she
always turned up tied up at the wharf in
the morning.
Her last run was momentous. Leaving
Havana with a cargo of gunpowder and
provisions, calculations had been made,
as formerly, to arrive of the harbor un-
der cover OF darkness, but break in the
machinery caused delay. Steaming along,
Captain Austin found himself one morn
ing but a few miles on Galveston and in
sight OF the blockading fleet.
AS yet he was unseen, owing to the
low construction of his ship, and he de-
cided to run out to sea: but inquiry below
elected the information that the supply
OF coal would not be sufficient for - hours
more. The only alternative was to make
for a place Of conoealment under the
shore, and thither the prov was turned.
But the overhangipg smoke had attract
ed the attention OF the fleet, and a ship Of
war was fast bearing down upon the dar-
ing blockade runner. Without a mo-
mined to run the gantlet The course
was again changed and the Susanna head
ed directly for the bar. A dozen ships
barred her way.
With great clouds Of smoke pouring
| from her tunnels, and all attempt at con-
cealment thrown to the winds. the swift
| Susanna rushed on, seemingly to sure
destruction. Soon she came within range
and every vessel opened up on her from
| long distance. The Seminole was in
| the lead and sent a solid shot across the
| bow OF the long, dark ship that fairly
SKINNED the water. Foam, splashed up
! oyer the deck, but the warning had no
| effect
Cutting in, the warship decreased the
distance between It and the Susanna I'M
til objects could be plainly seen from one
| deck to the other. Shot after shot went
| screaming through the afr toward the
| blockade runner, but still she kept her
course. The regular channel was blocked,
/ but she went straight ahead. ,Ralked fore
and aft, the Susanna, quivering like a
| frightened animal, rushed on. All Cal
weston was on the wharves watching the
engagement, hoping and praying for the
safety of their vessel.
Suddenly the course Of the Susanna
was changed. Doubling around the Semi
mole, she made straight for shallow wa
| ter and the bar. On board the sloop of
| to beach her, and the chase was taken up
| in hope OF capturing the crew and pre-
venting the absolute destruction Of the
vessel.
But Il was a part of the trick. Another
| turn, that sent the water swfrling under
the PROV, and the course was again
| changed. Crossing at a dangerous and
| generally unknown place on the short bar,
the Susanna entered the deeper channel
| OF the bay. Her PROV had been shot away
| and both smokestacks were wrecked, but,
riddled with shot and shell as she was,
| she steamed slowly to the wharves and
discharged her cargo.
During the entire engagement Captain
| Austin, according to the commander OF
the Seminole, coolly paced the bridge with
| his hands in his pockets and a cigar be-
tween his teeth. Not once did he leave
| his place or show a sign Of trepidation,
| in spite OF the fact that half ton Of
| black powder was stored directly beneath
/ him In the shower Of shot and shell he
| stood as he had on the deck of the Manas-
/ sas, facing almost certain death while his
| ship was being shot away beneath him.
| Cool courage, perfect seamanship and an
absolute knowledge of the harbor assisted
/ him in performing another exploit that
has never been equaled, and that only
| emphasizes the fact that some Of the
| credit given to others belongs TO him.