Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-12-22
GLORY OF THE NAVY
Side Lights on Interesting
Phases of the War.
SOME UNKNOWN HEROES
Dewey's Famous Victory ut Manila. Adj
mira1 NIontoJo's Report. Doings of
the North Atlantic Fleet. Unpub-
lished Report of schley's.
(By Telegraph.)

(By Telegraph.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The official
reports of all commanding officers of
the navy during the war, have been
compiled and published by the Navy
Department.
While treating of events that have al
ready figured in the official reports
that have reached the public, the docu-
ments still contain many minor reports
that throw s:de-lights on interesting
phases Of the war.
Almost in the beginning, in the brief
record of the proceedings of the War
Board, an unknown hero is brought to
light in the person of Ensign H. H.
Ward, who, at the beginning of the
war. was on duty at the Navigation
Bureau alternating with Lieutenant
Whittlesey in the heavy duties of as
sistant to the chief of the Bureau. He
volunteered for secret duty and his ex-
PLOTS. about which nothing has been
said in the past may we'll be placed on
record beside those of Lieutenant Ro-
wan in Cuba and Lieutenant Whitney
in Porto Rico.
UNKNOWN HEROES.
Within a week after the declaration
self and went right into the heart of
the enemy's country, making his head
quarters at Cadiz, the chief naval sta
ton Of the Spanish government. and
informing the Navy Department here
Of the actual strength Of the Spanish
naval vessels and their movements.
Then he went to the West Indies and
reported everything that was going on
0f - M n
navy. Next, he went into the enemy's
country in disguise. this time to Porto
Rico, where he was arrested as a sus-
picous character and spy.
BY adroitness, he managed to secure
his release, and, escaping from San
Juan, cabled the Navy Department a
full account Of the state of defences
there, and the preparations making for
the reception of the Spanish squadron
under Admiral Cervera. All this time,
even the officials Of the Navy Depart
ment We're under the impression that
Mr.. Ward was engaged in installing
system of coast signals on the New
England coast.
While Ward was in Porto Rico, En-
sign Buck, another attache of the Nav
igation Bureau, was on the shores OF
the Mediterranean in disguise, watching
every movement Of the squadron of
Admiral Camara. which started for
the Philippines, but turned back.
OF the Strategy Board itself, it is
said that it was part Of it's duty to
keep informed of all the movements,
resources and plans Of the Spanish ma
val forces, through secret agents. and it
is known that the navy was thus in
formed of all important movements.
At times, however, information was
conflicting and decisions had to be
made as to which report was true.
DEWEY'S FAMOUS VICTORY.
The reports Of the famous naval bat
tie Of 'Cavite, include one from United
States Consul Williams, a rather un-
usual thing in a report of a strictly ma
val character, but fully justified by its
picturesque and untechnical description
of Dewey's great victory.
Following it is report to his own
government on the same engagement by
the comlnander-in-c hief of the Inflated
Spanish fieet-Adniral Montojo. The
Admiral depicts the bad condition of
the Spanish fleet and defenses. He says
that the cruiser Castillo was incapable
of manoeuvering on account Of her bad
condition, while the defenses at the en-
trance to Subg Bay were very back
ward. With much disgust he found that
the guns which should have been
mounted We're delayed a month and
half, and he was no less disguised to
find that reliance was had for the de-
tense of the port upon few torpedoes,
not properly placed.
Finding Subig Bay defenseless, the
Spanish fleet repaired to Manila Bay
to meet battle in less unfavorable con-
ditions. The Admiral avoided the city,
not wishing to draw fire upon it, and
prepared his feet for action, painting
his vessels a dark grey, having the fires
spread and springs on the cables. He
says that the force Of Dewey's vessels
amounted to 21,410 tons Oeaving out
transports). 1920 horsepower, 1853 guns
(n1any rapid fire), 1850 men and an
average Of velocity of seventeen miles,
Against this the power OF his only five
effective ships was 10,111 tons 1920
horsepower, IS guns very short OF
rapid fire). 1875 crews, and maximum
speed. twelve miles.
The Admiral describes in vivid Ian
guage the effect of the American on
slaught on the Spanish vessels. He
says:
HE WAS UP AGINST. IT.
The Americans fired most rapidly
There came upon US numerous project
lies, as the three cruisers to the end of
the line devoted themselves almost en-
tirely to fights the Christina, my flagship.
A short time after the action COM
menced, one shell exploded in the fore
castle and put out Of action all OF those
who served the four rapid fire cannon.