The morning call., 1893-10-15
SUNK THE ROYAL ARTHUR.
Destruction of an EngIishman Near
the FarallOneS.

dSAIOh Ol lNCdk
the Farallones.
IGustave e. Gallagher of 1929 Webster
street, San Francisco. draws a sketch of the
Oregon as she rams the enemy. which is repro
duced exactly as made by him. He writes thai
he is II years of age.l
During the war of 1902 with Great
Britain [ was in command OF the United
States battle-ship Oregon, lying in the
harbor of San Francisco under orders to
proceed to Honolulu. On the morning of
February 9, while sitting in the operating
room of the telegraph company awaiting
final dispatches from Washing on, the
superintendent handed mo a message
from the lookout at Point LGbos, report.
ing an English warship off the Farallones
heading for the Golden Gate. l rushed
out OF the office, Jumped on the nearest
ferry car, and was soon aboard my
gig and out on the bay. An hour later
| steamed past AlcatraZ. and the big
ship was rapidly being stripped of all her
awnings, gaDgways, etc. After clearing
the decks the crew went to break last.
A cool esterly breeze was blowing as
we steamed out over the bar, and with the
aid of my glass l soon sighted the enemy
steaming along slowly off the whistlng
buoy. l saw at glance that she was a
heavier ship than the Oregon. and by her
huge black hull and formidable guns
made her out to be the Royal Arthur. one
of the finest ships of The British navy. ]
summoned Mr.. Wilson, the executive
officer, and ordered the crew beat 10
quarters and the magazines opened. As
| was issuing these instructions l OBJ
served a puff Of white smoke from
one of the Royal Arthur's forward guns.
followed by report and shot. which
dropped into the sea about rod to
port.
AS she had opened the ball l was not
slow to reply, and did so with No. gun In
the forward turret The Arthur's engines
were STOPPED. and / was approaching her
almost bows on so as TO make quick turn
moment later q well-aimed shot from the
enemy carried away our military mast,
crushing two men who were aloft working
the Hotchkiss guns and knocking two more
overheard. Two more shots made short
work Of our steam launch. But as we
drew nearer / observed that must turn
quickly If would rake her. as she had
already started her engines. Even as the
Oregon turned, SO did the enemy, and as
she came within range of the broadside
guns / gave her the full benefit OF them,
and was rewarded by seeing her funnel go
over and one OF our shells explode in port
in her after barbette and shatter the muZ-
zle of gun.
| soon saw that we stood to lose the
fight. Shot after shot had been aimed be-
low the Arthur's water-liDe. and several
of them penetrated. as we a1terward
learned, but her watertight compartments
kept her afloat. So l determined upon a
fin al move to end the engagement sig
nailed to stop, then to reverse the engines.
The enemy then forged ahead, and was
able only to use her after guns. Several Of
her heavy shots struck the coming tower
and started two plates.
The Royal Arthur, evidently thinking g
we were disabled and intending 10 escape.
stopped her engines and that gave me my
opportunity. :.
.Crowd on all the steam she can stand"
l shouted down the speaking-tube to the
engineer.
The helm to port, we were soon speed
ing toward the Arthur's bow at the rate of
fifteen knots. The enemy tried to gel
away but il was too laie. and with crash
full amdships. and Immediately reversing
the engine l poured shot after shot into
her from every gun that could be brought
10 bear.
"The after turret is disabled. sir" re.
ported Mr.. Wilson.
do the best you can with the remaining
guns. We shall soon be clear"
Ef0u dS spOkb i lclb tu6 OTcROu ~
astern. Still firing as fast as the guns
could be loaded, backed off little and
stopped. then gave orders to cease
firing until the smoke cleared of enough
10 enable us TO see the enemy.
When at la ast she appeared in view saw
that she had a huge gap In her side where
we had rammed her. She had already
sunken foot deeper and was filing rap.
idly. Her funnel. bridges. ventiIators and
lifeboa,s were all gone, and / observed a
bluejacket on her coming tower waving 6
white flag
She had surrendered! The victory was
ours Hurrah for the stars and stripesl
Blu, we had yet humane duty TO per.
form. Calling my second officer said tt
him: mir. Cole, have the two remaining
cutters lowered away aud save all you can. :
As l spoke | observed the crew OF Tie
defeated ship mastering rapidly on deck
with life preservprs, oars and anythinf
that would float them until picked uD.
The Royal Arthur was rolling in 9
soggy, omIn0us manner, her decks nearly
touching the sea. Our boats were soon
pulling rapidly toward her. and some O.
the more venturesome of her crew jumped
overheard 10 meet them.
Suddenly. with great roll, she turned
over and slowly sank from view. carrying
down with her all who lad not reach,
the deck; and those who still remained OF