The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-05

the Associated. Press DlSpatcn Boat
Wanda, via Kingston, Jamaica, June
D.-The hermeucally sealed fleet of
Spain in the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba got its first taste Of American
gunpowder on Tuesday afternoon, and
it was evidently not greatly to the
liking of the Spaniards, for with the
big American warships firing only two
rounds from their largest guns one
Spanish ship was hit and parts of the
Qualifications were destroyed. One r.
inch shell from the Massachusetts
plunged into the deck of the Reina
Mercedes, the partly dismantled Span
ish cruiser, and killed eight Spaniards,
besides wounding- many more.
After the discovery OF the fleets on
Sunday, Schley waited as hours to see
II they would venture out. No move
ment was made, however, and on Tues
day morning the commodore decided
he would find out just how far in the
mouth Of the harbor the Spanish
cruiser Cristobal Colon was located,
appearances at different angles being
very deceptive. In addition to this, he
was confident that the forts would re-
turn his fire, and in that way the To-
cation Of the Spaniards' guns and the
probable accuracy of their action
could be determined.
At 10 o'clock, accompanied by Lieu
tenant Sears, Lieutenant Wells and
Ensign McCauley. all of the flagship,
the commodore boarded the yacht
Vixen and they were taken to the
Massachusetts. Up to the time OF their
going on board there was no intimation
on the big b6ttleship that she would
be allowed to shoot. Leaning up
against one OF the big guns in the
turret, Commodore Schiey patted it
with his hand and said: 'Higginson,
how would you like to try a few Of
those on that fellow in the marlboro"
Captain Higginson and the officers
near him fairly jumped with delight.
" cry much indeed" replied Captain
Higginson, eXpressively, and his COM
paIiOns joined him.
I am sure / could PUNK her if we
get the range on her. said Lieutenant
Glanan, who had charge of the big
pair n the forward turret.
Commodore Schley, still chewing his
cigar. stood with his glasses in his
hand, looking toward the objective
point. The men of the secondary bat
teries who were not busy profited by
the example and stood out on the open
deck and watched the firing Of the
guns.
The three war vessels were then
about six miles from the entrance of
the bay, to the southwest Of it, where
the CTistobal Colon could not be seen,
as she lay brOaCside on 10 the narrow
entrance or nook. There was but one
place where she could be fired at by
the American ships, and the firing
would have TO be done. if the ships
were moving, in two minutes,
COMMODORE's ORDERS.
Go ahead at ten knots northeast"
was the order issued by the comnO-
dore, and the ships Strengthened out.
Fire when you are scout 900 or
5000 yards was the next order from
the commodore, who stood on top of the
Zig 13-inch gun turret
Lieutenant Potts called off the dis
lance 10 Lieutenant Sears, and when
$500 yards was announced, the CristO-
Dol Colon's stern and the bow of the
partly dismantled Reina Mercedes
showed in the harbor.
You can fire now" said the commo-
dOre to the seni-stripped captain, who
stood unconcernedly in the open of the
stepped off the turret, in order to avoid
the conclusion.
A FRIGHTFUL ROAR.
LET her go, lieutenant" was heard
from the turret. Then there was
frightful roar. and an immense half
ton projectile, propelled by the explo-
ing toward the mark For three sec
oLds il flew along its journey, and when
II dropped there arose a fountain of
water which, for a minute, hid the
Colon from sight, while a ringing cheer
went ~ from the jackies on deck.
"A little short there; try your other
a little higher up said the commO-
second big gun hurled a prOjectile to-
ward the enemy.
"A fair hit" cried the men as the
shell crashed into the stern of the Reina
Mercedes and exploded. The two after
guns then spoke, and after this the
entrance of the harbcr of Santiago was
closed out Of vision from on board the
battleship.
By this time the cruiser New Orleans
had come in range, and the forts Were
opening a steady fire from what are
evidently high power modern guns. The /
shells drODed thick and fast over or
short of the ssachusetts, and the
American bluejackets cheered and
laughed at the bad aim of the Span |
iards. One very well put shot went /
close through the upper works of the /
Massachusetts, but it did not hit any I
thing, and simply made a splash in the |
water on the other side Of the battle
ship.
'-WelI, the Dagoes are getting a little
DtllGLs Sclu q SeLllOI- 1t IElIldIh
caused another waggish bluejacket to |
say: ooh, give them a year. and t<ey'n /!
learn TO shoot"
The long rifles of the New Orleans |
were by this time playing a tattoo on /
the lOw-lying forts near the entrance. /
so as to draw their fire and ascertain
their range, and the Iowa's big Pinch |
guns were hurting steel projectiles into /
the harbor entrance.
The forts kept up a perfect cannon
ade, and some of their shots were well |
aimed, so far as the range was con-
cerned, but they were not effective
The Cristobal Colon opened fire with !
her big guns, but the shells never came
near the lire, while it is believed sew
eral of the shots of the American
squadron damaged the Spanish war
ships.
ONE MORE ROUND.
After running a mile to the eastward
the Massachusetts, followed by the
other American warships, circled
around and ran back over very nearly
the same course, Steaming west by
south. On getting near the range
where the firing opened, the warships
delivered one more round from their
starboard batteries and drew out of the
Spanish range, Commodore Schley say
ing as he stepped to the quarterback:
well, we let them know we have some
ammunition, and know their capacity
for defense"
For half an hour after the ships had
passed a mile out Of the range of the
Shore batteries and the Cristobal Colon
The Spaniards kept up their fire. and
then il became known by the placement
IF the shot that the enemy had plotted
4 neat plan that might have succeeded
had there been good gunnery. The
Colon had dropped down the harbor
ITO the position which it occupied to
act as bait. The modern guns on shore