The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-04
SLIPS THROUGH WARSHIPS
WITH LIGHTS OUT ONLY TO
BE INTERNED BY BRAZIL

Newport News. Va, March 3.-The
first definite news of the fate of
tho Costa RicAn steamer Marina
Quesada, formerly the Norwegian
steamer Gladstone, since she slipped
outof the harb Dor of Port Lamonde I'M
der the nose OF the British and French
warships. was brought here yesterday
BY members OF the crew OF the vessel
who sailed on her from Newport News
The vessel was sold at this port and
placed under Costa Rican registry.
after being thoroughly overhauled at
the plant OF the Newport News Ship
building and Dry Dock Company.
She sailed from Newport News early
in the month Of January for Val
paradise. Chic. with cargo OF coal
At Port LAmonde. which was the first
port visited, the warships were moved
up alongside Of the steamer prepare
tory, Ii is thought, to seizing her the
following day. During the night, how
ever. the vessel silently slipped out II
the harbor without lights and she was
next reported as having arrived at
Pernambuco. after a long chase by the
men-'o-war.
These men. Mate Christensen Bent
sen. Seaman A. G. Hartford, Carpen-
ter WaIiing and Denkeyman J. Olsen.
told an interesting story OF the voy-
age. They were signed On here by
Shipping Agent Thomas Braoant
when q crew was taken fotiowins
the change OF registry. Acoralns 30
Mate Bensten. the hs.bor at Pcrnam-
buco, BRAZIL. ha.ins been sc zed ct
that port by the Hra.a IA authorities
on compliant vf the Norwegian con-
sui
Tells Interesting Story.
When seen by \ newspaper man
yesterday. Mate Bentsen and Sea-
man Hartford told an interesting
story Of the voyage OF the Marin1
Quesada They said that the master
Of the steamer insisted on the utmos
secrecy concerning the course and des-
tination OF the vessel and that his
orders were secret.
After leaving Hampton Roads, the
men said. the lights OF the steamer
were extinguished and that the run
down the coast was made with the
ship shrouded In darkness. After the
ship reached Port IAmonde the cap
tain learned that British and French
warships were lying outside the har-
Dor waiting to capture him when ne
began his voyage south.
! At o'clock In the morning on a
day late In January. orders were given
to get underway without noise With
/ all lights out. the steamer slipped out
OF the harbor and by taking q course
| ncrthward and comrletely circling the
! Island OF Porto Rico. the waiting
warships were eluded After getting
TO sea the name Marina Quesada was
painted ont and the name Gladstone.
the one formerly borne by the ship.
was painted On the hull In big let
ters.
/ Norwegian FTag Rnn Tn.
| In addition, the Norwegian flag was
! run up. Running out OF water the
steamer was forced to put into Per-
| nambuco. Here the Norwegian consul
| learned that the ship ALTHOUGH reg's-
! tered IA a Costa Rican was flying the
Norwegian flag and at his request
| the Brazilian authorities seized the
ship The crew was taken or and
sent to New York. The four men,
whose names are riven. decided to
return to Newport News to seek an
other berth and they arrived here
yesterday.
THE men said that the master of
thA Narra Ouesaaa had rsa~kad mans
Of alt the harhors and islards IN TIE
south Atlantic ard nf the Straits
Of MAGELLAN and that they believed the
shin had Intended tn furnish sup-
plies 10 German wa~ehips THE stes m
or waa prever.es rom sailing from
this mort hv Collector ~ Customs
Norman n Hamilton until a@te~ GER
tain snepicic-s had h~~~ cleared mp
nv those connected with her sail
ing.