New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-27
SCHLEY'S PART IN THE FIGHT.
REPORT OF THE OFFICER WHO DIRECTED
THE AMERICAN FLEET

THE AMERICAN FLEET.
North Atlantic Fleet. Second Squadron.
United States Flagship Brooklyn.
Guantanamo Bay. Cuba. July 6. 1898
The Commander-n-Chef. United States Naval
Force North Atlantic Station.
Sir: First have the honor TO make the followins
report OF that part OF the squadron under your
command which came under my observation during
the engagement with the Spanish fleet on July g.
1898
second-At s.S a m Admiral Cervera. with the
Infanta Maria Teresa the Nizcaya, the OQuenoo'
the Cristobal Colon and two torpedo-boat Destroy
ers came out Of the harbor Of Santiago de Cuoa IN
column at distance and attempted 10 escape 10 the
westward.
Signal was made from the Iowa that the enemy
was coming out but his movemeu. had been DIS
covered from this ship at the same moment. lh's
vessel was the furthest west except the NAeh'
the blockading line; signal was mace 70 the
western division. as prescribed IN your eehe'ai
orders and there was immediate and rapid move
ment inward by YOUR squadron and general en-
gaQenent at ranges beginning at liz" yards alo
varying TO 1900 until the Nizcaya was destroyed,
about 80 a. m. The concentration or the hre CT
the squadron upon the ships coming out was most
furious and terrific. and great damage was done
them.
TWO SHIPS TAKE FIRE
Third-About twenty twenty-five minutes after
the engagement began two vessels. thought to be
the Maria Teresa and the Oqueldc. and since
verified as such took FIRE from the effective Smelling
OF the squadron and were forced TO run on the
beach some six or seven miles west Of the harbor
entrance where they burned and blew up later. The
torpedo boat destroycrs desti Dyed early In the
action but the smoke dense In their direc-
ton that I cannot say to which vessel or vessels
the credit belongs This doubtless was better seen
from your flagship
Fourth-The vlzcaya and the Colon. perceiving
the disaster to their consorts. continued at full
speed to the westward to escape and were followed
| and engaged In q running fight with the Brooklyn
| the Texas. the Iowa and the oregon until lo'5o
o'clock when the Vizcayn took fire from our shells
She put her helm to port and with heavy hst 10
port side in shore and aground al Acerraderos,
about twenty miles west OF Santiago, on fire fore
| and aft and where she blew up during the night.
Observing that she had struck her coors. and that
several vessels were nearing her TO capture ana
save her crew signal was made to cease nring
! The Oregon proving vastly faster than the other
| battle-sh.p. she and the Brooklyn together with
the Texas and another vessel, which proved 10 De
YOUR flagship continued westward in pursuit OF the
Colon which had run close In shore, evidently SEEK
ing some good spot to beach II she should fail 10
: elude her pursuers.
WHAT THE FAST SHIPS DID
Fifth-This pursuit continued with increasing
speed in the BROOKLYN. the Oregon and other ships
| and soon the Brooklyn and the Oregon were within
! long range Of the Colon when the Oregon opened
fire with her l3-inch guns. landing shell close "a
the Colon A moment afterward the Brooklyn
opened fire with her s-inch guns landing smell
lust ahead OF her Several other shells were fired
al the Colon now IN range Of the Brooklyn and the
! Oregon's guns. Her commander. seeing all chances
Of escape cut of and destruction awaiting his shio