, 1891-07-18

- dls 1cO IldNtO . VI ~ $500
when almost bows on. The Encalada an
Swered, but, owing to her disabled condl-
ton, could not do much damage. The first
serious calamity was caused by a shell from
the BlancO Encalada which carried away
some of the Almirante Lynch's f~orerlgglng,
and as the Government boat was much ex-
posed she took up q new position to star
board of the iron clad, whence she fired u
torpedo, which like that of the COndell miss
ed its aim. The BlancO Encalada replied
with a heavy fire, but the Lynch manRVred
quickly and was difficult TO hit. She soon
fired another torpedo, which, like the
others, missed, going 100 yards astern. In
his manner The insurgent sailors fought
with all the energy of which they were
capable, being fully alive to their terrible
danger. Every shot at the smaller Gov
eminent boats was carefully aimed, but
the steel armour of the torpedo vessels
turned aside The shot and shell. The Condell
fired two more tOrpedoes, but both
went wide of the mark. In return the
BlancO Encalada landed a shell from one OF
her heaviest guns on to the deck Otthe COndelI
killing four men and SCATTERING her rear
Smoke-stack. On the starbOard side the
Almirante Lynch was busy with her HOtch-
kiss gun, which tore the rigging of the
BlanCO Encalada into t~atters, smashed her
boats, and played havoc with her upper
works. The dead and wounded lay upon
the Encalada's decks, which were slippery
with blood. Her sailors fought braVely,
and though the Lynch sent two more tor
pedoes in her direction the explosives went
wide of their mark. Altogether the Lynch
eiectedfour tOrpedOes at the EnCalada with
out effect.
The officers of the Lynch now determined
to make a supreme effort. Her flag was
run up to The peak, and her HOtchkiSS gun
became silent. She worked round until
she was bow on the starboard side of the
Encalada, and then there was a swish from
the tube in the Lynch'S ram. The EncaIada
got her search lights on the approaching
missile, as she had on the other four, and
her gunners poured a leaden rain on to it
for the purpose of sinking it. This time,
however, the aim of the torpedo was true
and the storm of shot from the Encalada failed
to destroy. The steel torpedo net
also failed to divert the messenger
of destruction, so sudden and unexpect-
ed was the attack. The torpedo struck
the Encalada Just abaft he tortmaSt and
a de afpning explosion followed. A huge
hole yawnrd in her StarbOard side, extend
ing below the water line, and the lr0nClal
quickly filled. Terror relgned on board the
doomed irOucIad, and the men scrambled
into the boats, hanging upon the rear da-
Wits. which were the only ones that had not
been destroyed. Both the COndell and the
Lynch now opened fire from the lIotchklSN
guns, and scores of men were killed while
attempting to escape. Many Of the sailor
Sprang into the water only to meet death
by drowning or by being eaten by sharks,
with which the bay aboundS. The iron
clad quickly settled, and, with a sudden
lurch, went Town in less than three minutes
with her officers and crew. Out OF 700
men only II escaped. Among the latter
was Captain Goni, who Sprang oYtrboalb
and, escaping the sharks, swan to the Cal
dera beach, where he was rescued III an
exhausted state.
During the engagement the cruiser Aeon
cagua got up steam and tried 10 steal ont
of the bay, bnt being seen by the CondeIl
and Lynch, they gave chase as soon as the
Encaiada had sunk, and a running fight
ensued. The torpedo boats fired over 800
shots, seven of which struck the AcOncaguA
damaging her considerably and wounding
three men. In the end, however, the Ac-
Oncagua escaped, owing to her superior
speed.
The official report of Captain Goni, adj
dressed to the Admiral of the insurgent
fleet, is as follows
With regret Inform you that at $50
o'clock this morning the BlancO Encalada
1911 - - oEYn Of fhn FOR.