The San Francisco call., 1898-05-13

It was between the torpedo-boat Wins low, the auxiliary tug Hudson and the gunboat Wilmington on the one side and the Cardenas batteries and four Spanish gunboats on the other. The Winslow was the main target of the enemy, and was put out of service. The other American vessels were not damaged, except that the Hudson's two ventilators were slightly scratched by flying shrapnel
 The enemy's loss is largely conjec- tural One of their gunboats caught fire and the men of the Hudson think it sank The fire spread to the bar racks and swept away several small warehouses, and for a time the whole water front seemed to be ablaze. The Hudsons crew also believe that two Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers were disabled. but they admit that their estt- mates of the damage is largely guess work, as the action was too sharp for outside observations to be made.
 The WinsloW was within 2500 yards of the shore when the shells struck her. How she came to be so close was told by her commander, Lieutenant John Bernadou. He said: We were making observations when the enemy opened fire on us. The Wilmington or dered us to go in and attack the gun boats We went in under full steam, and there's the result" He was on the Hudson when he said this, and with the final words he pointed to huddle of American flags on the deck near by. Under the stars and stripes were out lined five rigid forms.
 The engagement took place inside the harbor of Cardenas. The gunboat Will mington, the torpedo boat Winslow and the gunboat Hudson were tfse only vessels engaged. They entered the har- bor for the purpose of attacking some Spanish gunboats which were known to be there These latter, however, were not seen by the American force until the Spaniards opened fire. The land batteries of Cardenas supported the fire of the Spanish gunboats
 The engagement commenced at 2:O5 D. m. and lasted for about an hour. The wounded are: B. E. Cox, gunners' mate; D. McKeon, quartermaster; J. Patterson, fireman; F. Gray; Lieuten- ant J. B. Bernadou. All are slightly wounded except Patterson, whose con- dition is serious.
 The battle, while it lasted, was ter rife. The Wilmington and the Hud- son fired on the Spanish boats, which were lying at the dock. The firing be- gan at range of $500 yards. A few min utes later the Winslow came up and also opened fire h an instant the en-
  and land batteries was directed upon her.
 From all sides shot and shell poured in on the little torpedo boat. The Will mington and the Hudson still kept up their fire, but they could not turn aside the terrible storm of fire and death pouring in upon the torpedo boat.
 The crew of the Winslow, however, never faltered for a second. At 2:30 a solid shot crashed into the hull of the Winslow and knocked out her boiler. Tn an instant she began to roll and rock helplessly. Then there was a moment of awful suspense A cheer of triumph went up from the Spaniards on the gunboats and in the batteries and again storm of fire was opened up on the helpless boat
 The gunboat Hudson, which was ly ing near by, started to the assistance of the Winslow. She ran alongside the torpedo-boat and tried to throw a line to the imperiled crew Up to this r time with the exception of one shot which disabled the boiler of the Wins low. the firing of the Spanish gunboats had been wild, but as the Winslow lav rolling in the water the range grew closer and shells began to explode all about her. It was difficult for the Hudson to get near enough to throw a