Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-05-13

pared 10 give DdIJle TO the Americans,
and the firing from that moment be-
came general on the Spanish side.
Still as cool as ever, and with words
of assurance to his wonderful gunners,
Dewey waited to get to closer range.
When the vessels did get nearer, what
a sight it wasl
Dewey's Daring Move.
Just when the Olympia got within
$500 yards of the Spanish fleet, she
turned west, and, followed by the
others of the fleet, passed directly be-
fore the Spanish ships and the forts.
1t was a daring move and it won.
The Olympia found the range and
then shot and shell began to fly. The
others joined in and then it looked as
If the very Heavens had opened and
Joined the artillery by the clouds to the
awful din.
The Spanish Rear Admiral, Patricio
Montiio Parason, could plainly be
seen on the flagship Reina Cristina,
giving orders to his men. He came
boldly out to meet the enemy, and as
result the Olyympia's fire was concen-
trated upon her.
Several times the Spanish flagship
was struck, and at length the port
bridge, upon which the Admiral stood
AS coolly as if nothing had happened
he shifted to the other end.
His bravery was unavailing. His
gunners were bad and he had to re-
treat. AS his vessel turned the eight
inch gun on the Olympia was turned
upon her.
A quick sight on the part of the
American gunner, and the next second
the Christina was struck squarely
astern. She was raked the entire
length and as the projectile ploughed
through, one of her magazines explod-
ed and she had to be abandoned
Such was the destruction on board
the Christina that 100 of her men
were killed and 90 were wounded. Then
the admiral transferred his flag to the
Castillo, which was also disabled with
great loss of life.
Two minutes more and the Christina
was ablaze from stem to stern. Three
explosions followed and she was blown
skyward.
A cheer went up from the American
tars, for all could see that the victory
was there in sight, and assured. It
was then that the greatest danger
threatened the Americans
OIympas Fine Work.
In the harbor, protected by the fleet,
lay two Spanish torpedo boats. Dur
ing the firing and the consequent ex-
element, they put out through the
smoke to destroy the Olympia, the Bal
timore and the Boston.
LynX-like eyes were watching for
them, however, and they were discover
ed just as they were leaving the break
water.
Instantly the Oympias second bat
terry was concentrated upon them.
Still the Spapiards came on until the
Olympia was less than 800 yards from
them.
At that point the fire from the
Olympia was of the most desperate
order and the torpedo boats started TO
return to shelter. 1t was too late for
the safety of one or them.
A solid shot struck her in the stern.
1t was followed on the instant by a ter
rifle explosion and a torpedo boat. with
all on board, were sent 200 feet into
the air The other torpedo boat was
disabled, but managed to beach.
The battle was practically over after
that. Spanish vessel after vessel went
down under the whitening fire poured
upon them and gun after gun on the
forts became silent.
Then, when everything was we'll in
hand, the Petrol was sent into the
inner harbor, behind the Notifications,
and destroyed all the warships not al
ready fired.
She captured, among others, the
Storeship Manila, rated at half a mil
lion dollars, and many small steam
ers The Manila's cargo includes 600
tons of coal.
The Spanish fleet, or what was left
of it, quickly surrendered and then
Commodore Dewey took possession OF
the arsenal and forts.
He destroyed all the guns and then
promptly blew up all the mines and
magazines. Then as the American fleet
, lay to before Manila Dewey sent word
to the Governor. The message was
short, but had world of meaning.
a Warming to Manila.
1t was to the effect that if the Ameri-
can fleet was fired upon again, or any
, hostile demonstration made he would
destroy the city. The warning was
sufficient
So Monday passed, with the Ameri-
can fleet, with colors flying, lying be-
fore the city of Manila and in posi-
tion to take it at any time.
No move to do so was, however
made. as the commodore did not want
, to harm the non-combatants.
, This done, the fleet started to coast
around the bay, picking up all Spanish
? vessels or destroying them. AS they
nassed thrnnoh Tho n11tnn. hn,.lr, !.