Year: 1873

Castillo, the commander OF the Tornado has,
made the following report OF the chase capture and
boarding OF the Virgnius to the naval authorities
at Havana. It Is dated from santiago de Cuba:-


In conformity with orders received by me, as
commander OF the corvette Tornado, to carefully
watch the coast between Cape Cruz and Santiago
de Cuba left the latter port the 2sth OF 0cto-
ber. on that night crused IN close proximity TO
the land between the points Indicated being led to
believe by certain calculations that, whatever
might be the maneuvres Of the virginius during
the night 1t was evident that during the
day she must lie well or partly to
avoid being seen and partly to reserve
her resources until the proper moment
for landing should arrive During the night OF the
0Otn inst wc continued our cruise without in
cident, and had started on q new course at day
break, the next morning when the man on the
LOOKOUT reported seeing the smoke OF O steamer,
proceeding in the direction Of Jamaica. With the
view OF ascertaining what she was, aud al the same
time to save as much fuel as possible, followed
her, hugging the coast for about Is miles, when
she changed her course TO southeast by south.


From the first moment that saw her there
was great activity on board, the whole OF the
steam power from all the boilers being brought
into requistion, and at about hafpast two O'Clock
In the afternoon we commenced to give chase.


The position and course OF the vessel principally
1f for not other reasons led to believe that this
craft was none other than the fnbuster Virginius,
Tor / imagined that she was proceeding from
Jamaica to Cuba when her. but falling,
under the circumstances. to land on the island of
Cuba, she had turned about again for jamaica.
These suspicious confirmed by her sudden
change OF course and the evident activity on board
to make all the speed possible, flames could
be seen emanating with the smoke from her
tunnels. In addition TO this We now saw, by the
light OF the moon when she changed her tack, her
two smoEestakes and paddle-boxes. instructed
the engineer to carry on all steam possible and
drive our vessel through the water as quickly
as he could. Owing to the darkness we thought
she was about five miles ahead and hoped to over
haul her before she made Point Movante


AT hal-past nine, while in her immediate neigh
borhood. fired five shots, and shortly after wards
sent out two boats, under the command OF Don
Enrique Pardo and Don Angel Ortiz, with orders to
take possession OF the Virginus in the name oil the
Spanish nation. The report of these officers has
already been made, and content myself with In
forming you that at eleven O'Clock at night the
Virginius, dying the Spanish nag, was headed to-
wards Cuba, having on board q prize crew. after
we had removed the bulk of the prisoners on board
our vessel.


The cargo of arms and war munition was thrown
overheard during the chase, but the empty cases
fell into our possession, including cartridges and
other articles. which are included in the in
ventory which l have already handed in to the
authorities.


The enthusiasm OF the crew simply bafies de-
scripton, when success crowned our Efforts The
prisoners were treated with such consideration as
their character deserved and the necessity OF their
safe keeping demanded. The virginius, under our
convoy, reached Santiago de Cuba on November l,
at five O'Clock in the evening. when our arrival
made the signal OF genuine outburst OF patri-
otc enthusiasm.


The Importance OF this expedition, when the
number aud rank OF the prisoners are considered
cannot be overrated. In addition to the severe les
son that we have given to the enemies OF Span
the capture has made the inhabitants of Santiago
delirious with enthusiasm I make no reference
to the conduct Of our men, but will simply say that
their conduct, from the highest 10 the lowest is
worthy OF all praise, and when say that the men
were Spaniards, working for Spanish interests you
will understand ALL Upon my arrival in port here
gave official Information OF the capture to the
authorities and what must now follow has to be
dictated by the officers ofjustIce. In conclusion
have only to ada that congratulate all the officers
OF the Tornado from the highest to the lowest for
the severe lesson that they have given to the
enemies OF our country. DIoNISIo CoSTILLA.


Another Description of the Chase.


One OF the officers on board gives further
description OF the chase to friend in Havana and
shows more clearly the extent OF the muchmouthed
enthusiasm OF the men and officers or the Tornado
This letter also comes from Santiago de Cuba under
date OF the 5th OF November. After relating the
solitude of an apparently armess cruise he states
that the meeting with the virgnus was drama
OF the greatest interest In favor OF the cause OF
spain that, for the future, must entirely over
cast the designs OF her enemies, and that COM
pensates them for the long waiting and evil re-
ports they have had to endure In the past But In
moment OF pride, during which he appears
to mount up 10 heaven in his extravagant
JOY, he ys:-"The usual routine and
monotony OF our sea life has been broken What a
favorable circumstance for us I have seen all
was present at all, personally noted all the details
anu LOOK an active part In them; and believe me
when say IL, 1t appears TO me now as but dream
the most delightful dream OF nv existence 7,
was time that we had made capture
ana now IL Is accomplished. How clearly
the hand OF God may be seen in a.
While cruising between Cape cruz and SANTIAGO
de Cuba, on our mission of watching the coast
knowing well that the virgnius would try and
land at night and escape by day TO some neutral
port, we learned, by the alarm signal on the 2oth
or October, that the enemy was on the alert The
cruisers Don Juan d'Austria and Cantabro failed
TO notice the signal, and the task accordingly de.
volved on us. The news was that the lookout had
seen from Roca Cabalos a two-iunneed side
wheel and suspicious steamer. On the afternoon or
the 3lst October, at hali-past two, we saw in the
direction s. f 4 f. the smoke OF the steamer
we were In quest Of We then crowded on
sail, and ran under full head OF steam for
some time, TIL the NrginIus saw us and headed
Tor the south, and our craft sped rapidly ahead on
her chase. How we prayed with our dear COM
mander TO catch up with her; for II we had let
ner escape we should have sacrificed our honor
Az last we came up with her and sent some little
messengers from our l5.inch guns between her
smokestacks. Bembeta yarona was brought on
o9aru among the hrst, and stated that the capture
ol lue Nirglnlus was mortal blow 10 the Cuban
cause cause me Vlrginius and her prisoners were then
conveyed 10 santiago dc Cuna. The spanish
casino ana the clubs OF the volunteers ana san
arcs. nar.Us nave riven banquet our honor. The