The Grit-advocate., 1902-01-24
BATTLE AT PANAMA
REvoLvTloNisTs SINK A SHIP.
Government Forces Of Colombia Meet
Disaster-General AIban Killed.

l'AnN1na, Jan. Sl.-NaklnS tnelF louS
expected attack on Panama from the
sea this morning. the Colombian Liber-
ais. or revolutionists, precipitated with
in sight of the citizens Il 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-
tically dictator in his district. He was
killed while leading his men in person
on the steamer Lautaro. which only Il
few days ago he seized from Chilian
company. Standing on the quarter
deck encouraging his men after the
ship was on fire. he WAS struck by Il
bullet from 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 Adams leader
ship.
The previous efforts of the insurgents
to get in control of the lsthmus 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 Mt his command he manned
three ships and sent to the General
PinZon, on the Atlantic side, for rein
forcementS
Slipping into Panama by ut o'clock
this morning. the revolutionary vessels
Almirante Padilla. formerly Saliva
dorean gunboat. 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-fre 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 Lautaro's crew.
ne i'hrien ana Niallalf started IN 1ne
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 Chiriqu.
the only other government vessel effect.
i've was the Chicuto. which had been
chartered from the Pacific Steam Navi-
CATION Company. The Chicuito at
tempted to cut off The parien and Gal
tan. and the Pndilla sent three shots
from .her heaviest guns at the Chicuito
This vessel replied with rapid-tire guns
and the Padilla moved away little.
evidently inconvcnenccd. In moyin.
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, cX-
cept that she moved slowly after the
exchange with the Chicuito. There was
a great deal of maueuvering WiIhout
any damage being done