Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-05-18
FATAL FIGHT OFF CARDENAS
HARBOR.

KEY WEST, Fla, May 12.-When the
United States gunboat Hudson came up to
the Government dock at o'clock this morn
ing the bodies OF five dead men were lying on
her after deck. They were the remains OF
Ensign w. Bagey and four members OF the
crew OF the torpedo boat Winslow, who were
killed in an engagement in Cardenas harbor,
Cuba yesterday afternoon. The bodies were
covered by the Stars and Stripes.
TIE ENGAGEMENT.
The engagement took place inside the har-
Dor of Cardenas. The gunboat Wilmington
the torpedo boat Wnslow and the gunboat
Hudson were the only vessels engaged They
entered the harbor for the purpose OF attack
ing 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
Cardonas supported the fire OF the Span
sh gunboats.
The engagement commenced at 300 p. M,
and lasted about an hour.
TERRIFIC BATTLE.
The battle while il lasted was terrific. The
Wilmington and the Hudson opened fire on
the Spanish boats, which were lying at the
docks The firing began alta range OF ., 900
wards \ few minutes later the Winslow
came up and also opened fire. In an instant
the entire attention of the Spanish gunboats
and land batteries was directed upon her
From all sides shot and shell seemed to
pour in upon the little torpedo boat.
The Wilmington 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
faltercd for second, At 2.35 p. M, solid
shot crashed into the hull OF the Winslor
and knocked out her boiler. In an instant
she began to roll and drift helplessly.
| STORM or FIRE.
Then there was a moment Of awful sus
| pense. A fierce cheer OF. triumph went W
| from the Spaniards on the gunboats and IL
the batteries and again storm OF fire was
opened up on the helpless boat.
The gunboat Hudson, which was lying
nearby. stated to the assistance OF the Wins
low. She ran along side the torpedo boat
and tried to throw line to the imperillec
crew. Up to this time, with the exception o.
the one shot. which disabled the boiler OF the
| Winslow, the firing OF the Spanish gunboats
had been wild but as the Winslow lay rolling
| in the water the range grew closer and shell'
began to explode all about her.
Ii was difficult for the Hudson to get neal
enough to throw a line to the Winslow
crew. so terrible was the fire all about her.
| Ensign Bagley and six men were standing
in a group on the deck OF the Winslow.
| "IIeave herr Heave hor!" shoutedBagley Al
he looked toward the commander OF tn
| Hudson and called for n line.
| Don't miss it." shouted an officer from
| the Hudson and with smile Bagley called
back.
LET her come. It's getting too hot her
for comfort.
DEATn-DEALIyG SHELL.
The line was thrown and at the same In
slant a shell burst in the very midst OF tn
group of men on board the Winslow
Bagley was instantly killed and a fey
others fell about him. Half dozen NOR
fell grooming on the bloodstained deck.
One of the dead men pitched headl0ng owe
the side Of the boat, but his feet caught i
the iron rail and he Was hauleo back
| BagIey lay stretched on the deck, with hi
face completely torn away and tho uppe
part of his body shattered. 1t wasa terribl
moment.
| The torpedo boat disabled and helpless
rolled and swayed under the fury OF the fir
from the Spanish gupboats When the she
burst in the group on board the Winslow ar
other wild shout of triumph went up from tn
Spanish boats and batteries, and again
heavy fire was opened on the torpedo boat.
Finally the Hudson succeeded in getting
line on board the Winslow and was town
her out OF the deadly range, when the lin
parted. and again both boats were ut tn
mercy of the Spanish fire.
THREE LEFT UNvEUNDKD.
At $50 p. m. the Hudson managed to 90
another line on the deck OF the WinslQw, SJ
there were only three men left there at thf
time to make It fast.
The line was finally secured and the Wins
low was towed up to Pedras Island, wher
she was anchored with her dead and WOUND
ed on her deck. There some men from tn
Hudson went on board the Winslow and too
the most seriously wounded off. Three VIII
were taken off the gun boat Machias die
there shortly afterward.