The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-13
TORPEDO BOATS, OFF THE COAST.

Z had not waited for reply to their first
shot The Cardenas harbor shore had
already become one dense cloud of
| smoke and shot, with flashes of fire,
and an avalanche of shells was burst
| Ing toward the little Winslow.
This was at five minutes past 2
sclock, and for 20 minutes the firing
continued from the shore without ces-
sation, but none of the shots had at
that time found their mark, though
they were striking dangerously near.
Meanwhile tho Hudson's two six
Founders were Changing away at
terrific rats. How many Of the torpedo
boats shots took effect Is not known.
It was rs minutes before 3 o'clock when
four inch shell struck the Winslow on
the starboard beam. knocking out her
forward boiler and starboard engine,
ana crippling her steering gear.
The Hudson was hailed and asked to
take the Winslow in tow. 1t was q
vital moment. Guns roared from shore
and sea. Lieutenant Scott. in charge
Of the Hudson's after gun, sat on a
box, smoking cigarette as he directed
tho fire. A vicious fire was raining
about them. The Spaniards seemed to
have found the exact range. There was
q momentary delay in heaving the tow
line. and Ensign Bagley suggested that
the Hudson's men hurry. ''Heave her."
he called. Lot her come, It's getting
pretty warm"
The line was thrown and grabbed by
the Winslow's men. Grimy with sweat
and powder. they tugged at 1t and
drew nearer, foot by foot. to the Hud-
son. Almost at the same instant an
other four inch shell burst directly
under them. and five bodies went
whirling through the air. Two Of the
group were dead when they fell-En-
sign Bagley and Fireman Daniels.
The young ensign was literally disem-
boWcled, and the entire lower portion
of the freman's body was torn away.
The other three died within few min
utcs. A flying piece of shrapnel struck
Lieutenant Bernardou in the thigh and
cut an ugly cash. but the lieutenant
did not know 1t then.
with the explosion of the shell the
haMser parted, and the Winslow
Aoundered about In the water at the
mercy OF the enemy's fire. which never
relaxed. The FIRE of the Americans
was Of the usually persistent char
actcr and the nerve of the men was
marvellous. Even after the Winslow's
starboard engine and her steering gear
were wrecked the little boat continued
pouring shot into the Spaniards on
shore until she was totally disabled.
Meanwhile the Wilmington. from her
outlying station, was busy with her
bigger guns ana sent shell after shell
from her four inch guns crashing into
the works on shore, and their execu-
tion must have been deadly. Not a
fragment Of shot or shell from the
enemy reached her.
The Hudson quickly threw another
line to the Winstow, and the helpless
torpedo boat was made fast and towed
to Pedras Cay, little island 70 miles
off, near which the Machlas lay. There
shs was. aneAqfeq fpr temporary re-
pairs, While Tie Hudson brought her
ghastly cargo IpIo Key sWsst. E2t
until this mouTnfyil journey was begun
was it learned that Lieutenant Berna-
dou had been injured. He scoffed at
the wound as tflfle. but submitted to
treatment, and Is doing well.
The WinslQw has a six inch hole in
her starboard beam, her starboard en-
gine, forward boiler. forward ventila-
tor and Steering gear are DESTROYED. and