Year: 1873

Report or nidshipman Dom Angel Ortiz


Mawasterio-How He Found Things ON
the Virginius-Ha auIs Down the Ameri-
can Flag and Hoists the Standard OF
Spain.


from the Echo de Cuba, OF Havana, Nov. 15.l


Mr.. Ortiz gives the following account OF the
boarding OF the yirginius:-


ON BOARD THE TORNADO, /


SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Nov. 2, 1873.


In consequence OF instructions received from
you to proceed and capture the ship which you
had chased during the afternoon and at night OF
the 3lst, j embarked In the quarter boat OF this
corvette, accompanied by the first engineer anu
1our firemen. besides the boats crew, which was
classes OF the sailors and troops on board
this ship. In those moments or enthusiasm 1t was
impossible TO prevent those VINO wished from
emDarklng In the boat. Having pushed on from
this ship directed my course towards the steamer
chased. At nearing and finding her iull OF people
l remarked that any aggression their part
would be energetically cRastlsed by our forces
Alter this the boat came alongside oil the steamer
and was with my assistance, made last to her. At
the same time ordered all the people on the boat
to board the chase, which was properly enected
alter had boarded AS soon as lound myself on
deck inquired for the captain. AS soon as he
presented himself he said that the ship was the
American merchant steamer Vlrglnius whose
papers demanded, and they were delivered to
me. notified hun that from tnat moment the ship
was captured and he and all the crew
and passengers were prisoners at my orders. AT
the same moment / ordered our people to take
possession OF the helm and snip, commissioning
the first engineer TO take charge OF the engine,
telling all OF them that our presence there would
be no obstacle In the way OF the coryettes sinking
the ship as soon as any aggression might be noted,
and that every attempt to disable the machinery,
cally punished by the forces under my orders. In
possession OF the snip, learned rom the nrst
engineer tnat the engine was in working order.
although IL suffered from defects which ! shall
mention further Mldshipman Don Enrique
PardO having opportunely arrived with reinforce
ments IN another boat l ordered him to remain
nn w h1 nj
embark the prisoners, In conformity with the Or
ders which you had given me- Having completed
this task with the aid OF the boats that success
lively arrived, with the exception OF the
captain and 10 persons, the people on the Viz
gnius were transferred onboard the corvette
The Midshipman OF the Navy Don Enrique fardo,
from the first moment OF his presence on board
accompanied by some OF our sailors, made scru-
puous search OF the SHIP anding IN the forecastle
a considerable number OF people, whom ordered
TO retire toward the quarterback to send them TO
the corvette under your command must observe
that even after was on board, goods belonging TO
the cargo were thrown INTO the sea Irom the prov.


After finishing the Decentralization OF the pris-
Oners and securing the Decentralization OF those
who remained, had time to examine the state OF
the ship, which was In very lamentaDle c0ndl-
tlon. Tne furnaces were not only dirty because OF
the considerable quantity OF grease and hams
with which they had been fed, but also the ma
chlnery and the packing were III bad condition
lot they nad suffered much during inc chase.
oil water in a badly calked point that there Is
towards the PROV, under the water line generally,
" .
Tor sne has labored much during the chase. IL
not being possible to reach the forward section OF
the ship. for want OF means OF commnnica lion, the
rest OF her and the machinery were attended
to. Her aspect was truly repugnant. She was
not only iull of grease and broken boxes, that
served packing TO the rest of the cargo but also
in notably abandoned condition. The dead angle
Of the port hole was very much damaged, because
from this place the cargo OF arms and ammunition
was thrown into the water, to do which they had
mounted q block and pulley, that as yet remain In
the same place. The caDin was In disorder, trunks
open, clothes thrown about portmanteaus en-
Iirely destroyed, and in all parts OF the ship
mstakable signs that everything OF any value had
been thrown into the water Not only were there
open arms boxes there but even cartridges of rifle
and revolver, boxes OF leather BELTS machetes and
insurgent cockades Under the coal there are
barrels but 1t has not been possible for to divert
the peoples attention to examine them, because
could not neglect guard duty, which has been
strictly attended to without intermission. Sad
dies, insurgent buttons and a portion OF papers
and effects that were scattered about in all drec
tons have been gathered up by my orders. Alter
oficer, Don Henrique Pardo, returned to the cor
vette, aud confded to him the papers which the
Captain had delivered to me, SO that he should
place them in your hands, and by him informed
you verbally OF all that had happened; the state in
which the ship was found; the measures that had
American nag which, as pirate the ship should
not be permitted to use, and raising Instantly
standard After finishing the capture, transferring
the people and debating the measures which at each
moment thought urgent, and finding, upon proof,
that the engines were in working condition, the





to take command. made formal delivery oft to
him, reporting the services OF the individualsWbo
had accompanied me. Their zeal, activity, intel
ligence and devotedness had shown me TO what
degree each one had engraved on his heart the DIS
tnctve characters OF an honorable and brave
man.


The orlcer, Pardo was present everywhere the
first engineer. Don Santiago M0ckabee; the sail
ing master, Duque; the corporal OF the marines,
Torres, whose knowledge Of English helped me
greatly. and in general all eacn IN his place, may
say with satisfaction, exceeded his duty, not only
before, but also in the moment OF and after cap
ture. An instant OF rest has not been Indulged in
until alter the ship anchored in this port. All the
goods found remain where they were, waiting for
the purser to make an inventory OF them. The
Captain and prisoners have been treated with all
sorts OF considerations due to men in misfortune,
compatible with the security OF the ship; and OF
this treatment have the satisfaction to say that
they are all thankful


This is everything that can say to you as the
officer charged with the boarding and capture, and
as commander OF the ship up till the moment OF
engineers OF the Virgnus have, while coming here,
lent estimable services, worthy OF eulogy.


profit by this occasion TO congratulate ron for
the very signal service which you, with the ship
under your cOmmanc, have lent to the country
due TO your intelligence, energy and enthusiasm
! am also requested by the individuals who are at
my command to compliment you for the well
directed orders Which yon gave me. .asS


God guard y0u many years. -


ANGEL ORTIZ MONASTERIO