The record-union., 1898-05-19

wounded
ready.
Rear-AdmiraI Sampson had trans
ferred his flag to the Iowa, and
the attack on the forts began at $40
and lasted three hours. Although it
was known at San Juan that the
American fleet was near. the Spaniards
apparently kept no outlook. The SOL
diers in the forts and the people in the
town were fast asleep when our war
ships approached. It was not yet
broad daylight, and the coast of the
island was yelled in an unusual haze.
A range of broken hills came almost
down TO the ocean, and, further inland
making a sharp outline against the sky
rose a range of mountains. Overhead
the sky was a deep blue A ten-knot
easterly breeze was blowing, and a
long heavy swell gave a graceful mo-
ton to the sea-
The plans of the Admiral were thor
oughly carried out The fleet steamed
majestically into the harbor, and in
due course of time opened tremen-
dous fire on the Notifications. Three
times the warships made the circuit
outlined in the official plan. The forts
withstoOd the first round, but the
Montgomery, from her station near
Fort Canuelo, wrought destruction.
With glasses the officers of the Mont
gomery could see the occupants of the
forts jumping over the walls and run
ming away. The Detroit, which went
nearest to Morro had to train her guns
at high angle. Her shots directed at
the north side of the MORO cut deep
burrows in the face of the fortifica-
tions. The Iowa, leading the fleet, de-
livered her deadly missiles with great
accuracy upon Morro's northern walls.
The rest of the fleet fired in order,
first on Moro and then on San Carlos,
according to position
On the second round the Spanish
gunners were thoroughly awakened,
and stood by their guns bravely, keep
ing up furious but aimless fire. From
their Notifications and high elevations
they had splendid opportunity to Grip
pie our fleet, but they seemed to fire
as if only DESTROYS of emptying their
magazines.
From the Associated Press dispatch
boat several shells were seen to fall
among the forts and the garrison, rails
ing clouds of dust and causing fires to
break out. 1t was hoped the Spanish
fleet would emerge from the harbor as
soon as the firing began, and feeling
of deep disappointment spread through
the fleet when the scouts reported that
the harbor was clear.
AT the turn of the third round the
monitor Terror failed to understand the
order to withdraw, and engaged MORO
Castle alone for half an hour. AS
seen from the dispatch boat of the As
ISOLATED Press, which occupied a grand
stand position, the squatty little mont
tor, in tackling the lettering fort. was
making a magnificent display of dar-
ing. The Terror had moved in as if
she intended to ram the Spanish forts,
and the Spanish gunners evidently be-
came very much excited at her be-
havior, for they fired very rapidly and
without taking aim, and the Terror was
not touched.
From the dispatch boat every shot
fired by the Spaniards could be seen.
The flash and smoke of the batteries
were followed by great splashing hun
dreds of feet from the Terror. The
shells of the Spaniards on exploding
would fling columns of water sixty feet
in the air.
The battle was intensely interesting.
but it was not so exciting as had been
expected. The Spanish aim was so as
toundingly bad that absolutely no ark
iety was felt for other ships The Span
ish forts fired volleys which hi6 them
in smoke, followed a few seconds later
by the geyser-like spouting and splash
ing not dangerously near the Terror.
The officers and reporters on the dis
patch-boat viewed the bombardment
through marine glasses from the top
of the pilOt-house The heavy swells
affected the aim Of the guns of the
Terror, for some of her shells struck
the sea in front of the forts Finally
the Terror seemingly grew tired, and
slowly withdrew, firing as she steamed
away. Then the Spaniards became al
most frantic with excitement and
blazed away at the monitor until she
was long out of range.
After the battle the Associated Press
dispatch boat went among the fleet to
inspect the damage done The sailors
were calmly cleaning the decks and poll
ishing the guns. On board the Iowa a
boat was struck and caught fire, an
exhaust-pipe was dented, the bridge
railing was shattered, and three men
were slightly wounded All this was
done by a lonely SHE'LL which struck the
Iowa. One shell, which exploded on the
New York, killed man, wounded four
others and shattered two searchlightS,
splintered a cutter, tore three holes in
a ventilator, and broke a small davit
arm. Pieces of this shell were gathered
up for souvenirs, but there were not
enough pieces to go around. The New
York was hit only once.
When the dispatch boat of the AssO-
ciated Press left the vicinity of San
Juan for the island of ST Thomas with
the dispatch describing the engagement
the fleet was preparing to bury tile
dead In addition to the man killed on
board the New York gunner's mate
on board the monitor Amphitrite died
from the effects of the heat.
OF the New Yorks four wounded men
only two were seriously enough injured
to call for their transfer to the hospital
ship Solace, which subsequently Joined
the fleet.
The cable operator at San Juan cabled
to the operator at st. Thomas early on
the morning of the 18th announcing
that a vigorous bombardment of the
capital was in progress, adding that he
was going to take to the WOODS. 1t is
considered probable that most Of the
inhabitants of the place followed his
example, and fed from the city soon
after they were awakened by the Iowas
first broadside.
The only war vessel of a foreign
power at San Juan during the lombard
ment was the small French cruiser
Rigault de Genouilly. She had her rig
cling cut by pieces of shell. After the
bombardment the Frenchman left for