Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1898-06-10
FLEETS SMASH FORTREssEs
Sampson and sehlsy Silence d! Nearly 'll'i
All the Santiago Batteries.
No Americans Huft.

June z, off Santiago de CUBA, gives tno
following report: The American fieet
this morning engaged the Spanish
batteries defending the entrance OF
the harbor Of Santiago de Cuba,
and after three hours bomba
ment silenced nearly all the forts, de-
stroyed several earthworks and rem
dered the Estella and Cayo batteries.
the two principal Notifications, useless.
The fleet formed in double column,
SIX miles off Morro Castle at 6 o'clock
In the morning and steamed slowly
5000 yards off shore. the Brooklyn
leading, followed by the Marblehead.
The Texas and Massachusetts turned
westward.
The second line, the New York lead
ing, with the New Orleans, Yankee,
Iowa and Oregon following, turned
eastward.
The Vixen and Suwanee were far out
on the left flank, watching the ritiemen
on shore. The Dolphin and Porter DID
similar duty on the right flank. The
lire headed by the New York attacked
the new earthworks near MORO CASTLE
The Brooklyn column took up station
opposite the Estella and Catalina bat
teries and the earthworks along the
shore.
The Spanish batteries remained silent
II ia doubtful whether the Spaniards
were able to determine the character
Of the movement, owing to the dense
fog and heavy rain, which were the
weather features.
Suddenly the Iowa fired q 12-inch
shell, which struck the base Of Estella
battery and tore up the works.
Instantly firing began from both
Rear Admiarl SIMPSONS and Commo-
dore Schley's columns. anda q torrent of
shells from the ships fell upon the
Spanish works.
The Spaniards replied promptly. but
their artillery work was Of q very poor
quality and most Of their shots went
wild. Smoke settled around the ships
In dense clouds, rendering accurate
aiming difficult There was no ma
neuvering of the feet, the ships re-
naming at their original stations and
firing steadily.
The squadrons were SO close to the
shore that it was difficult for the
American gunners to reach the batteries
on the hill tops, but their firing was
excellent.
Previous to the bombardment orders
were issued to prevent firing on MORO
castle, as the American admiral had
been informed that Lieut.. Hobson and
the other prisoners of the Merrimac
were confined there. In spite Of this,
however, several stray shots damaged
Morro castle somewhat.
Commodore Schley's line moved
closer in shore. firing at closer range.
The Brooklyn and Texas caused wild
havoc among the Spanish shore bat
teries- quickly silencing them. While
the larger ships were engaging the
heavy batteries, the Suwanee and Vixen
fred on the small shore battery OPP
posite them, raining rapid-fire shots
upon it and quickly placing the battery
out of the fight.
The Brooklyn closed to 800 yards, and
then the destruction caused by her guns
and those of the Marblehead and Texas
was really awful. In a few minutes
the woodwork of Estella fort was burn
ing and the battery was silent, firing no
more in the engagement.
Eastward the New York and New
Orleans silenced the shore Cayo battery
In quick order and then shelled the
earthworks located higher up.
Later the practice was not 60 accur-
ate, owing to the elevation of the guns.
Many of the shells, however, landed
and the Spanish gunners retired.
Shortly after 9 the firing ceased for
q while, the warships turning in order
to permit them to reach the port bat
teries The firing then became long,
crash of thunder and the
shells raked the Spanish batteries with
terrible effect. Fire broke out in Cata-
lima fort and silenced the Spanish guns.
The firing Of the feet continued until
10 o'clock when the Spanish fire ceased
entirely and Admiral Sampson hoisted
the ..cease firing" signal.
Generally the fire of the fleet was
very destructive. Many of the earth
works were knocked to pieces and the
Estella and Catalina fortiications were
20 damaged that it is questionable
whether they will ever be able to renew
any effective work during the war.
After the feet retired the Spaniards
to some Of their gums and sent
twelve shells after the feet, but no one
was injured. !