The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-03
DEWEY'S TRAFALGAR.
One Account of the Engagement at
Manila.

Manila.
New York, May "A dispatch to the
Herald from London says: The
Asiatic squadron of the United States,
Commodore Dewey commanding, Sun
day engaged and completely defeated
the Asiatic fleet of Spain in the harbor
of Manila, in the Philippine Islands.
All the news of the great naval bat
tie thus far is coming from Spanish
sources. This shows conclusively that
Manila has not yet been taken by the
American forces and that the cable
lines are still under the control Of
Spain.
From the fact that even the advices
received from Madrid show that the
American warships Jared the best,
there is hardly any doubt that when
complete details are obtained. it will
be learned that it was a crushing de-
feat for Spain. Reports of the battle
thus far are coming in piecemeal.
SPANISH LOSS.
During the two enga gements that
took place, Commodore MOntijo, COM
handing the Spanish fleet, lost three
Of his largest ships. His flag ship, the
steel cruiser Reina Christina, and the
armored cruiser Castillo were burned
and the cruiser Don Juan de Austria
was blown up. Several other Spanish
vessels were badly damaged, One re-
port adds that several other Spanish
ships were sunk by their commanders
to prevent their falling into the hands
of the Americans.
There was a heavy loss of life among
the Spanish. Captain Darso, com
handing the Reina Christina, was
killed.
Commodore MontijO, commanding the
fleet shifted his flag from the Reina
Christina to the Isle de Cuba, much
smaller steel protected cruiser, just
before the Christina sank. The blow
ing up Of the Don Juan de Austria was
attended by a great loss of life among
the crew, her commander also being
killed.
Commodore Dewey's squadron, leav-
ing Subig bay, a few miles from
Manila, about 4 o'clock yesterday
afternoon, proceeded toward Manila.
Under the cover Of darkness he entered
the harbor of Manila, the batteries To-
Gated there announcing his arrival.
LINED UP FOR BATTLE.
Both fleets lined up for battle about
day break, about o'clock this morn
ing. The guns of the American war
ships began firing on the fortress of
Cavite and the arsenal of Manila.
Under the protection of the guns of
these Notifications the Spanish war
ships opened fire on the American
fleet. For several hours the harbor re-
sounded with the roar of guns, the
crashing of steel and timbers, the
shrieks and groans of the wounded.
Thick clouds of smoke at times almost
obscured the opposing fleets from each
other.
SHIP BLOWN UP.
A well-directed shot reached the iron
cruiser Don Juan de Austria, vessel
Of l 100 tons. A terrific explosion fol-
lowed and the ship was blown up. All
the time during the first engagement
the American ships were under way,
their maneuvering being intended to
render the Workmanship of the Span
ish gunners less effective.
The American squadron about 9
o'clock drew off to the west side of the
eign shipping. The ships had evidently
suffered considerable damage. After |
some hasty repairs they returned to |
the conflict. During this engagement |
the guns OF Cavite maintained a |
stronger and steadier fire upon Com
modore Dewey's ships than in the first |
encounter, but the American guns were |
being used with telling effect.
FLAGSHIP ON FIRE.
AS the smoke lifted it was seen the
flagship Reina Christina was on fire.
The vessel was completely burned In /
the interval between the two engage
ments Commodore Montijo moved his
flag from the Reina Christina to the
smaller cruiser Isle de Cuba. To the |