The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-08

Copyright 1898 by Associated Press.
On board the associated press dis
patch boat Dandy. of Santiago de Cuba,
Monday (noon) via Kingston. Jamaica,
Tuesday. June Z (noon).-The American
fleet this morning engaged the Spanish
batteries defending the entrance OF the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and after
a three hours bombardment silenced
nearly all the forts. destroyed several
earthworks and rendered the Estrella
and Caye batteries, the two principal
Notifications, useless.
The fleet formed in double column, six
miles off Moro castle at o'clock in the
morning. and steamed slowly to 5000
yards off shore, the Brooklyn leading,
followed by the Marblehead, Texas and
Massachusetts,, and turned westward.
The second line, the New York leading,
with the New. Orleans, Yankee, Iowa
and Oregon. followed. and turned west
ward. The Vixen and suanee were far
out on the left flank, watching the rifle
men on shore.
The Dolphin and Porter did similar
duty on the right flank. The line head
ed by the New York attacked the new
earthworks near Moro castle. The
posite the Estrella and Cataline batter
les and the new earthworks along the
shore. The Spanish batteries remained
silent. as If doubtful whether the
Spaniards were able to determine the
character of the movement owing to
were the weather features this morn
ing.
Suddenly the Iowa fired 12-inch shell
which struck the base of Estrella bat
teries and tore up the works. Instantly
firing began from both Admiral Samp-
sons and Commodore Schley's columns.
and torrent of shells from the ships
fell upon the Spanish works. The Span
iards replied promptly, but their artil-
lery work was of a very poor quality
and most of their shots went wild.
Smoke settled around the ships i'm
dense clouds. rendering more difficult
the work of the gunners. There was no
maneuvering of the fleet, the ships re-
naming at their original station and
firing steadily. The squadrons were so
close to shore that it was difficult for
the American gunners to reach the bat
teries on the hilltops. but their firing
was excellent. Previous to the lombard
ment orders were issued to prevent fir
ing on Moro castle. as the American
admiral had been informed that Lieu
tenant Hobson and the other prisoners
of the Merrimac are confined there. In
spite of this. however. several stray
shots damaged MORO castle somewhat
Commodore Schley's line moved closer
in shore. firing at shorter range. The
Brooklyn and Texas caused wild havoc
among the Spanish shore batteries.
quickly silencing them. While the larg-
er ships were engaging the heavy bat
teries, the Suanee and the Vixen closed
with the small inshore battery opposite
them, raining rapid-fire shots upon il
and quickly placing the battery out of
the fight. The Brooklyn. closed to 500
yards. and then the destruction caused
by her guns and those of the Marble
head and Texas was really seen. The
works of the Estrela fort were burning
and the battery was silenced, firiNg no
more during the engagement. Eastward.
the New York and New Orleans si-
fenced the Caye battery in quick order
and then shelled the earthworks located
higher up. Later, the practice was not
so accurate. owing 10 the elevation OF
the guns. Many Of the shells. however.
landed. and. the Spanish gunners re-
tired.
Shortly after the firing ceased, the
warships turning in order to permit the
use of the port batteries. The firing
then b0came a long reverberating crash
Of thunder, and the shells raked the
Spanish batteries with terrible effect.
Fire broke out in Catalina fort and si-
fenced the Spanish guns. The firing of
the feet continued until o'clock. when
the Spanish ceased firing entirely and
Admiral Sampson hoisted the cease
firing signal. -
Generally the fire of the feet was
very destructive. Many of the earth
works were knocked to pieces and Es-
treIla and Catalina Notifications were
so damaged that IL Is questionable
whether they ever will be able to do
any effective work during the war.
After the feet retired the Spaniards
Of ho