Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-11
Details of the Fight at the
Various Stages Of
the Terrific
Encounter.
PROMINENCE OF BROOKLYN.
The New York Appears on
the Scene Towards
the End of tho
Engagement.
TEXAS RIcHTINIT ALL TIE TIME.

OFF SANTIAGO DE- COb 'N'S - 80"
PORT ANTONIO. July 0. y. M.-toho"-
ing is the official account OF the engage
ment with the Spanish squadron, as seen
from the United States steamer vixen
Al s;45 A. NJ. the quartermaster on duty
reported that a tug was coming on, OF the
harbor. Examination proved the NesSei
~ be n Spanish cruiser fyins a large
spanlsh flag and smaller fas at the
,osstheod which was thought 70 be the
Adrniraps fag, as it was on the leaulhs
ship.
The Vixen at this time was lying about
two miles oN-shore and four miles TO the
westward of MORO Castle, ana from lills
time to the end was never out OF slght Oh
the chase. and was within two miles Oh
the destruction Of the three armored cruz
sers.
Word was at once sent to the command
ing officer. and all hands were called 10
ouarfers. Full speed was ordered. ana lLe
beln, WAS nut TO port TO stand further Oh
shore and leave the BroOkyns ilre-Ilne
unobstructed The Brooklyn had hoisteu
a signal that the enemy was attempting
10 escape. and the Vixen, nouclnS ua'
the leading ship was turning TO the west
ward, signalled that the enemy was az, az
tempting 10 escape in that direction. Inc
fleet AT this time had resumed It's sta
zion and its vessels began rapidly 20
close IN toward the mouth Of the harbor'
concentrating a terrific long-range hre
upon the enemy.
ENEMY COMING OUT.
There was no doubt that the enemy was
coming out. There were several anxious
moments before 1t could be determlheu
whether the Spanish Admiral would oTueI
bis feet 10 disperse and attempt TO pIe3h
through the bockading squadron or WouIu
keep his ships together The leadihg yes
sci had changed her course to the west,
when a second vessel appeared. tolioWcd
shortly by the Cristobal Colon. The Coion
was easily identified because her mast
was between her two smoKestacks. Inc
other ships could not so easily be ldehu-
fed, as the Vizcaya, the Almrante Oqueh-
do. and the Infanta Maria Teresa hau
the same appearance.
Meanwhile, the feet approached the
mouth OF the harbor. and when the fourth
vessel appeared and turned to the west
II became evident that Admiral CerVera
had reconnoitered the field, ana selected
the west as the weakest part OF the
blockade. because the strong eastward
current had drifted the heaviest ships
east Of their customary positions. Tho
western portion Of the blockading circle
was defended by the Vixen and the
BROOKLYN. The Brooklyn headed north,
apparently intending to intercept the head
Of the enemy's column.
THE BATTERIES OPEN.
AS the leading ships Of the enemy's
column appeared. the western battery
opened q heavy fire. apparently directed
Mt the eastern and central ships of the
blockadlne squadron. At 10 a. NJ. the
IL zlrf.-
two leading ships which were close TO
eether with an interval of three 90 p
tiers OF a mile between the second alp
and the Cristobel Colon.
At 1905 the Brooklyn turned with
port helm making a complete turn TO
the east so that she was again heading
west The enemys leading ships were
on her starboard quarter, and the fourth
vessel was coming up rapidly astern. At
this time the Vixen was west OF the lead
ing snip, and was steaming on parallel
course.
For the next fifteen minutes the Brook
ifyn received and returned the fire Of the
two leading ships, and an occasional shot
from the Cristobal Colon.
At 1880 the lines were well formed, the
positions being as follows:
The enemys ships I'm column between
Cabanas and Guayacabo, the Brooklyn
steering a parallel course a mile distant,
with the Oregon two miles southeast.
The other American vessels were OBJ
scured by the smoke.
LEADING SPANIARD AFLAME.
AT 1888 the Colon and other leading
ehlps OF the enemys were close together,
lust clear of the Brooklyn's bow, as
viewed from the Vixen. The CristoDal
Colon was gaining speed and closing up.
IL was apparent that the leading vessel
was disabled and on fire, a3 she dropped
rapidly astern. She apparently headed
for the shore off Juan Gonzales.
The Oregon, forging ahead capitaly,
engaged the fourth snip AS she passed,
two smaller Spanish vessels, probably
the Juror and Pluton, TO She westward
OF Cabanas. engaged the Iowa ana the
Texas, though apparently on fire. But
the leading vessels were too Tar 70 the
ives. to be identified accurately. The In
diana was In sight a little to the west OF
Moro Castle
At 1894 the Cristobal Colon was stll
gaining. and was reserving her fire. At
this moment the only American vessels
seen from the Vixen were the Brooklyn,
Oregon, Texas, and Iowa six miles be-
hind the Oregon. The Indiana was four
miles astern of the Iowa.
BNEMY'S FIRE TOO HIGH.
AT 1887 the Cristobai Colon and other
ships resumed the heavy fire. The second
vessel was 1--WE miles from the Vixen. The
Oregon was gaining rapidly on the Girls
sobal Colon. which was using smokeless
powder The enemy's fire was very high,
end many Of their shots passed over tie
Brooklyn, falling close 10 the Vixen, a
piece of shes tearing the dag at her
mainmast
At I0:a7 the Brooklyn forged ahead. and
the oregon fred her forward lS-ineh sun
nj the leading spanish vessel
At the same time u0aD. the Texas, In
front OF the Iowa, was gaining raitdly.
At this time the Brooklyns IRE was
steady and deadly. her shells striking or
bursting alongside the Spaniards.
At l0.49 the Texas reached Juan Can
xaies, and the Indiana was soparently of
Cabanas Al 1850 the Vixen approached,
heading north-northwest. Tne Texas was
gaining rapidly. the Iowa appeared to be
on Juan Gonzales, and the Yacht ep-
pcared of Guayacsbo. holly engaging the
enemy's ships.
At 1e:H another Spanish vessel was on
IRE. and heading for the beach. With a
*neayy list 20 port This was the Viz
oaya. making FOR the reef at Acerraderos.
THE vIzCAYA AGROUND.
AZ ti0l the yizcsya ported her helm
Ind headed east. apparently seeking the
bntrance to Acerraderos. The Texas and