The herald., 1898-07-28
: The CAPTAINS
REPORTS OF CHADWICK AND
4 TAYLOR TO SAMPON
WORK OF THEIR SHIPS
BOTH THE COMMANDERS PRAISE
THEIR CREWS
RULES OF THE BLOCKADE
How Sampson Succeeded In Keeping
Cervera Bottled Up-Disastrous
Case Of Cork Popping
Associated Press Special Wire

mander wainwright of the Gloucester on
the destruction of Cervera's fleet, which are
included In Admiral SIMPSONS report,
were made public today:
United States flagship New York, first
rate. Playa del Este, July 4, 1898.
First-I have the honor to make the fol-
lowing report of the part taken by this ship
in the action Of yesterday, during and fol
lowing the sortie OF Admiral Cervera's
squadron.
6econd-The ship started at $50 for the
army landing at Siboney, the Commander
jn-Chief having an appointment with the
General commanding the army. A few
minutes after the crew had been called to
quarters for Sunday inspection, firing was
heard and a ship was seen leaving the har-
Dor entrance. The helm was at once put
over the crew called to general quarters,
signal "close in towards the harbor en-
trance and attack vessels" made, orders
given to spread all fires, and the ship
hastened back for the enemy, whose ships
were seen successfully coming out at
high speed. The flagship Infanta Maria
Teresa was first, then another armored
cruiser Of the same class (which turned out
to be the Vizcaya), followed by the Cristo-
bal Colon, and armored cruiser (OQuendo)
and the torpedo boat destroyers Furor and
Pluton.
Third-The nearer ships had Immediately
engaged and by the time we were off the
entrance the flagship was aflre and soon
ashore: the Indiana and Gloucester were
actively engaged with the torpedo boats.
This ship fired some Of the four-fnch shells
at the one nearer the port. toward which
she was already headed and seemed at
tempting to return, but she was already
practically out Of the fight. The boiler of
the more advanced one had blown up.
showing a vast column Of condensed steam.
During the time the batteries, whose line
Of fire we had crossed close to, repeatedly
hred on US, but without effect. No return
was made to this fire. A shell from the
west battery fell within 200 yards Of the
ships when we were over four miles to the
westward unu we had thought ourselves
out of range. This ship stood on, leaving
the Gloucester, which had shown herself
20 capable to look after the survivors in
the torpedo boats. By this time a second
cruiser was ashore and burning (the o.
uendo), while the third, the Vizcaya and
the Colon were still steaming rapidly west
ward. The Indiana was now signalled
dies a. n.y. to return to her blockading
position, to look after anything which
might be there. Shortly afterward the
Vizcaya turned shoreward, and smoke be-
gan to issue from her after part, and by
the time she was ashore on the reef at
Acerraderos, fifteen miles west Of Santi-
ago, she was ablaze. The Iowa had sig
nailed little before that she had surrend-
cred and stopped off this place. where she
gave much assistance in the rescue Of the
vizcaya's people.
Fourth-This ship stood on in chase Of
the Cristobal Colon, with ahead Of us the
Brooklyn, Oregon, Texas and Vixen. the
Oregon being much nearer in shore Of the
two headmost ships, but not in gunshot.
We were rapidly increasing our speed.
Fifth-It was evident, however, that the
Colon would give us a lengthy chase. and
AZ noon the crew left quarters and went to
dinner.
Sixth-About 1880 the Oregon opened
IRE and some of her shells were observed
10 strike beyond the Colon. This made her
capture foregone conclusion, and short
Nv after o'clock she turned in toward
short and soon struck her colors. She had
been beached at small inlet known as
Rio Torquino BY the time we arrived
boat was alongside her from the Brooklyn,
and Captain Cook. the boarding officer.
came alongside this ship and reported. This
vhip then sent a boat to take possession.
The commanding officer going in the boat.
was received by the Commodore of the
squadron. the captain, Captain de Navio-
don Emilio Mores, and Captain de Davle,
Of the first class; Don Jose de Paredos
Chacon (which latter had been civil Gov
- ..
lttache6 to the squadron). I arranged for
the transfer Of the crew and officers. di.
vis:ca b tSeh ship present. and the engi-
nesr fsTee 10 be left aboard. While aboard,
howevsr. the Resolute arrived and It was
arranged to transfer the whole number to
her.
SEVENTH had taken with me the fleet
surgeon, an engineer and the carpenter, to
Examine and make secure everything ne
cessnry. The engineer reported to me that
she was taking water aft. Ihad previously
had soundings taken, and found eight feet
It the bow and seventy at the stern, so
that but a small portion Of the ship was
left ashore. I returned as quickly as pos
Bible to the flagship to report the situation.
The Oregon was signalled to take charge
and the men were FASTENED on board, a
number sent also from this ship. Our work
Of closing water-tight compartments was
Of no avail, however, some Of the sea valves
having been treacherously opened and the
valves broken, SO as to make 1t impossible
10 close them; the ship thus slowly settled.
At 1880 she came af1oat and came out into
deeper water. The officer in charge, Lieu
tenant-Commander Cogswell, had let go an
anchor. but 1t was clear that If she went
down In water of the depth in which she
was she could never be recovered This
ships stem was placed against her quarter
and later. line being taken from our own
boat to hers. the Colon was forced inshore
It was by this time dark, but by using a
tearchlight we were able to force the ship
IN the beach. She thus sank in very mod
rate depth Of water, and it is very prob
lble she may be saved
Elghth-At II .. m. the flagship returned
Santiago. leaving the Texas and Oregon
. charge Of the prize.
Ninth--Though the ship was not able to
pine to action with any Of the larger ships