The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-28
HOI BATTLE OF WAR
SHIPS N N|PE Bay
Topeka Foremost in
Sinking theGunbOat
Jorge Juan.
SUPERIOR ARMS SILENCED.
Furious Fire Falls on the
Vessels That Defend
the HarbOr.
MEN FLEE FROM THREE FORTS.

KEY WEST, FLA, July 23.-Acting
under orders from Rear Admiral
Sampson, four American war ships
on Thursday afternoon last entered
the harbor of Nipe, on the northeast
coast of the province of Santiago de
Cuba, and, after a furious lombard
ment, took possession of the harbor
as a base of operations for the Porto
Rican campaign.
1t is understood, however, that the
plans have been changed since, in
consequence of the occupation of San
tiago by the United States forces, and
that Nipe will not be used for the
purpose originally intended.
The vessels engaged were the To
peka, Annapolis, Wasp and Leyden.
In the course of an hour they silenced
three forts, sank the Spanish gun
boat Jorge Juan mot the Juan Jorge
as befo re reported, and scattered
Spanish riAemen who had taken part
in the engagement.
For a week or more the Topeka has
been blockading the northeastern
coast between Cape Lucrecia and
Cabonic, with strict orders from Com
modore Howell not TO attempt an
entrance into any of the harbors.
A few days ago, while cruising past
Nipe, which is about midway in the
blockade line and directly across the
island from the city of Santiago, an
armOred launch about 100 feet long
came out and fired two shells, both of
which, however, fell short. The To
peka returned the fire and chased the
launch into the harbor, but in conse.
quence of Commodore Howell's orders
could not follow her in.
On Thursday the Annapolis, Wasp
and Leyden came from Santiago, and
Captain Hunker of the Annapolis,
who was ranking officer, was surprised
to learn that Nipe had not been TAX
en-. Admiral Sampson had under
stood that this had been done, and
had orders for the monitors detailed
for the Porto Rican campaign to rem
devious there.
When the situation had been clear
ed up Captain Hunker ordered the
ships to go in. The Wasp and Lev
den, being the smallest of the quar-
tet, led the way, followed by the An
napolis, while the Topeka, which car
ried heavier battery, brought up in
the rear
The channel leading into the har-
Dor was very narrow, and on a bluff
to the right, called Glory Point, was
a fort and signal station. As the
American ships entered the Spaniards
were signaling in lively fashion with
a blue ball and flag, apparently mott
flying the Spanish ships in the har-
Dor, which were the Jorge Juan, two
smaller gunbOats and the armored
launch before mentioned.
As the Wasp and Leyden rounded
the point the fort fired a dozen shots.
none OF which, however, fell near
them, and the Topeka returned the
fire with her three-pounders.
Almost Immediately the Spaniards
deserted the fort and ran, while the
Topeka continued to send shells into
them. a body of riflemen on the
beach returned the fire with a few
wild shots; but they, too, were quick
ly disposed of by the eTopeka's smaller
guns. The Topeka also discharged
two torpedoes.
At the same time another fort to
the left of the channel fired on the
American ships; but it was silenced
as easily as the other.
In the meanwhile the Wasp and
Leyden had taken up position in
the northwestern portion of the har-
Dor and opened fire across the harbor
at the Jorge Juan, which lay to the
southeast, in front of the town of
Mayari. Her position was about a
mile and a quarter from the beach,
and behind her third fort stood on
an eminence. This fort opened fire
on the Wasp and Leyden, and as the
Annapolis and Topeka came up the
Spanish gunboat joined in the fight,
and a general battle followed.
The Topeka anchored in the mid
die of the harbOr, about 400 yards
from the Jorge Juan, and the other
three American boats drew up on
either side and formed a semi-circle.
They then closed in on the Spanish
ship, pouring a destructive fire at her
and the fort beyond. The Topeka
sent four-inch shells crashing into
Jorge Juan at such rate that she
sank within 90 minutes
When the firing become heavy the
officers and crew of the Spaniard put
off in small boats, made the shore un-
der heavy fire and escaped into the
woods.
Two shots from the Topekas bow
gun, fired at an elevation of 4,500
yards dropped square into Mayari
fort, the Spanish pennants disappear
ed and white flag was run up. This
ended a short but one of the most
vicious battles of the war
All the American ships sent small