Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-05-04

lowed closely by the Cochrane. and IL was
apparent that they were gaining. At
| nightfail tho Huascar was off africa, and
the Ccchrane was scarcely three miles
| away. The only hope left was to round
Point Augomos and escape down the coast,
| ana consequently the Huascar poured oil
on her fires ard put on every pound of
steam that she could bear. But still the
Cochrano and the O'Higgins drew stead
lily nearer. The point was now in sight,
but the two battleships were in range and
there was nothing left but to fight. Grau
cleared his decks for action, the magazine
rooms were opened. the hoists were adjust
ed and the surgeons took their places in
the cockpit. The moon was shining
brightly and the big Chilean battleships
could be plainly seen coming every mo-
ment closer. At :25 o'clock, when exact
y OF Point Augomos, the Cochrane was
just 5000 yards away. The Huascar opened
the action. The first shot struck the
Cochrane, which replied with q continu-
Gus lire. The fourth shot pierced the Huas-
ears armor and killed II gunners. The
U higgins now came up and opened fire.
Five minutes after the beginning of the
action commands ceased to come from Ad-
miral Grau. Entering the tower. il was
found that cannot shot had literally torn
the brave old commander TO pieces. One
leg was all that was ever discovered of
him.
Captain Aguirre assumed command, and
two minutes after entering the tower
solid shot showed his head clean of. Lieu
tenant Corboial then succeeded to the COM
mand. Five minutes later shell exploded
in the tower and killed him and five 9TH
ers. The scene was now something awful
to contemplate. The O'Higgins and the
Cochrane were alongside and were pouring
continuous fire into the HUascar, whose
trained eunneTs were ell killed and all of
her 10 inch guns dismounted. Her smoke
stacks were shot away. and donse clouds
Of black smoke were filing the vessel. The
unskilled gunners fired, bat their aim was
wild, and they did little damage. The big
guns from the assaulting cruisers sent shot
after shot crashing through the Huascar's
arnlor as though it had been paper, while
the machine and rapid fire guns raked her
decks until deal men were piled in heaps.
80 great was the carnage that the dead and
wounded wero pitched below to make
room for the living. Lieutenant Rhadri-
guez, who had succeeded Corbojal, was
torn to pieces by u shell, and Lieutenant
Palacios, who then assumed command,
was killed 4 few minutes later. Ensign
GoroZau then took command and gave the
order TO ram the Cochranc The vessel did
not move. Sending man forward. il
was found that the navigators were dead.
Others were placed, and still the vessel did
net move Ram, | say, by God, RANT"
cried Gorezau in rage. Captain" re-
piled sailor, 1.-THE new nayigators arc
also dead" Still Others were placed. and
the order 70 ram was again given. Then
it was found that the steering gear had
been shot away ana that the vessel was
helpless. so close now were the assailants
that the fire from their guns set fire to the
clothing of the dead sailors on the deck of
the Euascar. Suddenly the firing ceased.
The flag OF the HuascaT was shot away, and
the Chileans thought that she had struck
Immediately another set of colors went up,
and the battle commenced again. Every
gun IN the Iuascar was dismounted, most
Of hor lncn We're dead. but the fow sur
yiyors fought Gu with rifles. Seeing that
tho end had come and being MORALLY
wounded with his last breath, the gallant
Gorezau ordered his men to open the valves
of the snip and sink. They tried to obey
the order, but could not
For an hour and q half the action had
lasted, but all resistance was now over in
the brave Huascar. Six commanders had
been killed, her decks ran in blood, her
guns were disabled, and there were but
few of her crew left who were not dead or
wounded. The Chileans boarded her and
towed the charnel house into Mejillones
bay. The greatest naval battle between
modern warships had been fought.