The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-05-19

The Spaniards seemed encouraged by
this FIRE 10 fight faster, knowing exact
" our distance, while We had 10 guess
theirs. Their ship and shore guns we're
making things hot for rs. The pierre
ing scream Of shot was varied often by
the bursting Of time-fuse shells, frag-
ments Of which would lash the water
like shrappel, or cut our hull and rig
ging.
One large shell that was coming
straight at the Olympia's forward
bridge fortunately fell within less than
100 feet away. One fragment cut the
rigging exactly over the heads OF Lam
berton and Reese.
Another struck the bridge gratings
in line with it. A third passed just
under Commodore Dewey and gouged
hole in the deck. Incidents like
these were plentiful.
Our men naturally chafed at being
exposed without returning the fire
from all our guns, but laughed at the
danger and chatted good humoredly.
A few nervous fellows could not help
lodging, mechanically, when shells
would burst right over them, or close
aboard, or would strike water and pass
overhead, with the peculiar suffering
roar made by tunbling rified pro-
jectile.
Still the flagship steered for the center
Of the Spanish line, and as our other
ships were astern, the Olympia re-
ceiyed most of the spaniard's atten-
ton. Owing TO our deep draught Com
modore Dewey felt constrained 10
change his coarse at distance Of 1000
yards and run parallel to the Spanish
column.
open with all the guns, " he said,
and the ship brought her port broad
side barring. The roar Of all the flag
ships five-inch rapid-frers was fol-
lowed by the deep diapason of her tur-
ret eight-inchers.
Soon our other vessels were equally
hard at work, and we could see that
our shells were making Cavite harbor
hotter for the Spaniards than they had
made the approach for us.
Protected by their shore batteries,
and made safe from close attack by
shallow water, the Spaniards were in
strong position. They put up gal
liant fight. The Spanish ships were
sailing back and forth behind Castillo
and their fire was hot. Open shot struck
the Baltimore and passed clean through
her, fortunately hitting no one.
Another ripped up her main deck, dis
abled the six-inch gun and exploded a
box OF three-pounder ammunition,
wounding eight men.
The Olympia was struck abreast the
gun in the wardroom by shell which
burst outside, doing little damage.
The signal halyards were cut from
Lieutenant Brumby's hand on the after
bridge.
A shell entered the Boston's port
quarter and burst in Ensign Dood-
ridges stateroom, starting hot fire,
and fire was also caused by shell
which burst in the port hammock net.
ting. Both these fires were quickly
put out.
Another shell passed through the
Boston's foremost just in front OF Cap
tain Wildes, on the bridge.
After having made four runs along
the Spanish line, and finding the chart
incorrect, Lieutenant Calkins, the
0lympia's navigator, told the commo-
dore he believed he could take the shin
nearer the enemy with the lead going
to watch the depth of the water. The
flagship then started over the course for
the fifth time, running within 5000
yards of the Spanish vessels. At this
range even the six-pounders were
effective, and the storm of shells
poured upon the unfortunate Spanish
began to show marked results. Three
OF the enemy's vessels were seen burn.
ing and their fire slackened
On finishing this run Commodore
Dewey decided to give the men break.
fast, as they had been at the guns two
hours with only one cup of coffee to
sustain them.
The action ceased temporarily at
1885 o'clock, the other ships passing
the flagship and cheering Justify.
Our ships remained beyond range
of the enemys guns until 1850 O'Clock,
when the signal for close action again
went up.
The Baltimore had the place of honor
in the lead, with the flagship follow.
ing and the other ships as before. The
Baltimore began firing at the Spanish
ships and batteries at ll:l6 O'Clock.
making a series of hits rs If at target
practice.
The Spaniards replied very slowly,
and the commodore signaloa the Ra.
leigh, Boston, Concord and Petrol to go
into the inner harbor and destroy all
the enemy's ships.
BY her light draugth the little Petrol
was enabled to move within 1000
yards. Here, firing swiftly but necur.
ately, she commanded everything
still flying the Spanish flag.
The other ships were also doing their
whole duty and soon not one red and
yellow ensign remained aloft except on
battery up the coast.
The Spanish flagship and the Castillo
had long been burning fiercely and the
last vessel to be abandoned was the
Don Antonio de Ulloa, which lurched
over and sank. Then the Spanish flag
on the arsenal staff was sheled down
and at 1890 o'clock white flag was
hoisted there.
signal was made to the Petrol TO
destroy all the vessels in the inner har-
Dor, and Lieutenant Hughes, with an
armed boats crew. set fire to the Don
Juan de Austria, the Marquis Duero,
the lsla de Cuba and the Correo.
The large transport Manila and
many tugboats and small craft fell into
our hands.
sAfsantut.o 80 .laSfrau A. Co.. 4