Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1902 — FIERCE NAVAL FIGHT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FIERCE NAVAL FIGHT.

COLUMBIAN GUNBOAT BUNK AT PANAMA BY REBELS. Government Loses Heavily In Encounter—General Alban Is Killed-Two Insurgent Vessels Disabled—United States Cruiser on the Scene. The Colombian rebels won a naval victory over the government forces at Panama Monday. They made a fierce at-

tack on three vessels in the harbor at daylight, completely surprising Gen. Alba n's forces. After a stubborn battle, in which six ships, three on each side, were engaged, the government steamer Lautaro was sunk and many soldiers on board killed. Among the

dead is Gen. Alban, Governor of Panama, and commander-in-chief of the government forces. Three gunboats composed the rebel fleet. Two of them were badly disabled in the fight. The United States cruiser Philadelphia was in the harbor and witnessed the engagement. Sailors from the Philadelphia, after the battle, went on board the Lautaro to help fight the fire which had been started by the insurgent shells, but they were unsuccessful. The attack was almost a complete surprise to the government. The insurgent fleet was composed of the steamers Padilla, Darien and Gaitan. The government ships were the Chilian line steamer Lautaro, the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamer Chicuito aud the Panama Canal Company's steamer Boynea. The first-named steamer was seized by Gen. Alban and the other two have been chartered by the Colombian government. All three of the government steamers had been armed with as many guns as Gen. Alban could secure. He had Inken a large force on board the

Lautaro and Chicuito, intending to sail to attack the insurgents. The principal insurgent attack was made by the Padilla. It entered the bay and succeeded in getting to close quarters with the Lautaro. The Padillo opened a fierce fire, to which the Lautaro made a brief response. Gen. Alban, however, was killed early in the engagement and many soldiers on board were killed or wounded, apd soon after the

crew, disheartened at the suddenness nnd fierceness of the Padilla’s attack, deserted the ship as soon as it was discovered to be on fire. The government steamer Chicuito at once opened fire on the Padilla, and was, in turn, attacked by the Darien and Gaitan. The Chicuito was not seriously Injured, but seems to have inflicted serious damage on the Darien. The I’adillu, too, was compelled to retire to a safer distance as a result of the fire of the Chicuito. The guns at Las Vovedas also opened fire on the rebel ships, the range, however, being too great to render the shells dangerous. When the firing finally ceased the revolutionary steamer Darien approached the Philadelphia. The captain of the Darien was told by Captain Mead of the Philadelphia that the insurgent fleet would not be permitted to bombard the city of Panama or to land troops at the docks. The body of Gen. Alban was taken off the Lautaro as soon as possible, sailors from the United States cruiser Philadelphia assisting. The dead and wounded were also removed. The fire, however, could not be extinguished and the Lautaro sank in the harbor. Geu. Alban’s death is deeply deplored. He was loved by his soldiers nnd enjoyed the esteem of the community. It is asserted that the death of the Colombian lender may have the effect of bringing to the government side large numbers of men anxious to avenge his loss. Panama is the capital of the State of Panama, aud one of the finest seacoast cities in the United States of Colombia. It is on the Gulf of Panama and south of the Isthmus of Panama. It Is the starting point of the Panama canal and is a favorite name in that locality. The city contains a population of 40,000, nnd its more important part Stands on a peninsular tongus of land, across which its streets extend from sea to sea. It is a bishop's see, and has a handsome cathedral and five other Catholic churches. It hns a normal and several primary schools, all sustained by the government.

GEN. ALBAN.

GOVERNOR'S PALACE.

VIEW OF A SECTION OF PANAMA HARBOR.