Hi Marty,

I think this may be the vessel in question; not "old," but newspapers often seem to describe anything no brand-new as "old":

MASCOT, Official Number 92358, built Baltimore 1891. 75.94/37.97 tons, dimensions 79.8x18.3x8.5, 100hp.

Newspaper accounts describe her as a stout ocean-going tug, and this seems to fit the description above. Her homeport is listed as Baltimore, and I don't see her listed in any MVUS after 1895.

From what I can tell, she departed Baltimore on 27 November 1895, cleared Cape Henry the 29th and was never heard from again. Her supposed destination was Port-of-Spain, but it appears to have been open knowledge she was fillibustering (running guns) to Cuba. I haven't checked all the newspaper articles, but it appears she was wrecked in a hurricane in early December 1895; wreckage, including life rings with her name, is reported as having come ashore at Caicos. Perhaps her survivors drifted ashore to Cuba and were arrested?

Your ancestor was Matthew Frank Kersey of Alexandria, Virginia (1965-1900), if my records serve me correctly.

I'll see what else I can find, if you'd like. I do have the names of all nine crew, though I haven't traced them all.

Dest regards,

Dave