The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-04-08
VICTOR BLUE AT
SANTIAGO HARBOR
Tho Present Chief u tho Bureau OF
Navigation q Distinguished
Spanish War Veteran.

up the Spanish fleet in the harbor OF
Santiago and Lieutenant Victor Blues
re~connoitering tours around Santiago
TO locate the Spanish feet and ascer-
tain the number OF ships composing
it and their location within the har-
Dor. In both Of these exploits the
people OF North Carolina felt more
than a patriotic interest. they felt a
deep personal interest. for both were
performed by men Of North Carolina
blood. one OF whom was Of North
Carolina birth.
Commander Blue was born In
Richmond county (nOw Scotland),
North Carolina, on December s, 1863.
He was the son OF John Glichrlst
Blu whose forbears lived in that sec
ton Of the state since the early part
OF the eighteenth century. His IA
her was a lawyer by profession, and
was a member OF the Legislature OF
North Carolina at the breaking out
Of the Civil War. and afterwards served
as a lieutenant in Company + OF the
Seventh North Carolina Regiment in
General Pickett's division.
In 1915 John G.. Blue moved his
family to Marion. South Carolina, the
home OF his wife's people. There Vic
tor Blue won az appointment to the
Naval Academy by competitive ex-
animation in 1888. and graduated
from that institution in 1887. The
breaking out OF the war with Spain
found him a lieutenant In the navy
serving as executive officer on board
the u. S. S. "Suwanee." Captain De-
lehanty. The first active duty Of the
"~Suwanee" was to convey the steamer
"Gussie," loaded with munitions Of
war for 1T Cuban army, from. Key
West to the Cuban coast, and deliver
this war material to the Cuban army
under General Gomez. It was first
necessary to ascertain the where
abouts OF General Gomez. 1t was be-
Eeved that he could be located some
where near the coast Of the Bay Of
Buena Vista. which lay between the
mainland Of Cuba n a number Of
small islets. or Gays, On the north. At
the head of this bay was CaybOreim,
h headquarters Of a large Spanish
garrison. GunbOats patroled the bay
In order to prevent communication be-
tween the Cuban forces on shore and
American vessels at sea. Leaving the
"GusSie' anchored on the Bahama
banks, the "Suwanee' proceeded &c
reconnoiter the Cuban coast. Upon
arriving n. Frances Cay, the entrance
TO Buena Vista Bay. the smoke of the
gunboats on patrol could be seen. II
was ascertained, however, that the wa.
ter on the bar would not permit tn,
entrance Of vessels Of the "Suwanee's'
draft.
It was then decided to send in al
armed boat to communicate with Gen
eral Gomez and arrange q time AM
place for landing the war supplies
The distance to Gomez's camp wa
twenty miles by a devious rout
through the cays and across the Ba,
OF Buena Vista. At sunset, on Ma,
81. 1898. the boat set out from tn
"Suwanee," and at nightfall bega,
winding its way through the cays wit
muffed oars. The crew consisted O
Lieutenant Blue. in charge; Seno
iowa, a Cuban commissioner: ten sailor
from the "Suwanee." and a local Gu
ban pilot.
This total OF thirteen" says Al
miral Blue. In his interesting accour
Of this expedition, written especial
for the Review, caused some cOncer
among the sailors until q little Irist
man among the crew reminded the,
that there we're thirteen original STATE
in the Union. and thirteen stripes
the flag. AS the boat proceeded @
its course. signal fires were built G
h islands nea which 1t passed, II
the alert. Without mishap. howeve
the boat approached the Cuban mail
land about 1 a. m, and all hands we
glad to see the friendly signal
three bon-nres. which marked the !
cation Of the Cuban army. After son
delay caused by the necessity OF pos
tive Identification. the boat was pc
mitted to approach the landing. T.
Cuban soldiers enthusiastically rush
into the water I'M bore the Anne,
cans ashore along with their A.
which was planted on Cuban 30
amidst deafening shouts OF Viva L
AnericanOs:' viva Los Estad
Unidos!' 1t was pathetic to see I
demonstrations Of Joy exhibited
these patriots when they realized til
tho great American nation had col
70 their assistance at last.
General Gomez happened to b.
ser At the time. and SO arrans
ments were made with his chief
stan for landing the 'Gussie's' car
The Americans were warned that I
coming Of dawn shouid find them ga
ly across tho ten miles Of expaI