The Yale expositor., 1898-07-15


column, were seen to be heading for
the beach in flames. The Texas, Ore
gon and Iowa pounded them unmerci-
fully. They ceased to reply to the fire
and in few moments the Spanish
cruisers were a mass of flames and on
the rocks with their colors down, the
Teresa flying a white flag at the fore.
"The crews of the enemys ships
stripped themselves and began jump
ing overheard, and one of the smaller
magazines began to explode.
Meantime the Brooklyn and the
Cristobal Colon were exchanging COM
pliments in lively fashion at appar-
emily long range and the Oregon, with
her locomotive speed, was hanging well
on the Colon, also paying attention TO
the Vizcaya. The Teresa and the
Oquendo were in flames on the beach
Just twenty minutes after the first shot
was fired. Fifty minutes after the first
shot was fired the Vizcaya put her helm
to port with a great burst of flame
from the afterpart of the ship and
headed slowly for the rocks at Accer-
aderes, where she found her last rest.
ing place.
AS 1t was apparent that the Iowa
could not possibly catch the Cristobal
Colon and that the Oregon and Brook
Ign undoubtedly would, and as the fast
New York was also on her trail. | de-
cided that the calls of humanity should
be answered and attention given to the
LOO or 1900 Spanish officers and men
who had struck their colors to the
American squadron commanded by
Admiral Sampson. ! therefore headed
for the wreck of the Vizcaya, now
burning furiously fore and aft. When
/ was in as far as the depth of water
would admit / lowered all my boats
and sent them at once to the assist
ance OF the unfortunate men, who
were being drowned by dozens or
roasted on the decks. / soon discov-
cred that the insurgent Cubans from
the shore were shooting men who were
struggling in the water, after having
surrendered to us. l Immediately put
a stop to this, but / could not put q
stop to the mutilation OF many bodies
by the sharks inside the reef. These
creatures had become excited by the
blood from the wounded mixing with
the water.
"My boats crews worked manfully
and succeeded IN saving many of the
wounded from the burning ship. One
man, who will be recommended for
promotion, clambered up the side Of
the Vizcaya and saved three men from
burning to death. The smaller maya
zines Of the vizcaya were exploding
with magnificent cloud effects. The
boats were coming alongside in a
steady string and willing hands were
helping the lacerated Spanish officers
and sailors onto the Iowa's quarter
deck. All the Spaniards were abso-
lutely without clothes. Some had
their legs torn off by fragments of
shells. Others were mutilated in ev-
cry conceivable way.
1.-The bottoms OF the boats held two
or three inches of blood. In many cases
dead men were lying in it. Five poor
chaps died on the way to the ship.
They were afterward buried with mill
tary honors from the Iowa. Some ex-
amples of heroism, or more properly,
devotion to discipline and duty, could
never be surpassed. One man on the
Vizcaya had his left arm almost shot
off just below the shoulder. The frag-
ments were hanging by a small piece
OF skin, but he climbed unassisted over
the side and saluted as II on a visit of
ceremony.
Immediately after him came a
strong-hearted sailor whose left leg
had been shot off above the knee. He
was hoisted on board the Iowa with a
tackle, but never whimper came from
him. Gradually the mangled bodies
and naked men accumulated until 1t
would have been almost difficult to
recognize the Iowa as a United States
battleship.
Blood was all over her usually white
quarterback, and 272 naked men were
being supplied with water and food by
IuOSt w O a lCW DClOlC AdO
been using a rapid-fire battery on
them. Finally came the boat with
Capt. Eulate, commander of the Viz
caya, for whom a chair was lowered
over the side, as he was evidently
wounded. The captains guard Of ma
rines was drawn up on the quarterback
to salute him, and stood waiting to
welcome him.
"As the chair was placed on the deck
the marines presented arms. Capt.
Eulate slowly raised himself in the
chair. saluted me with grave dignity,
unbuckled his sword belt, and, holding
the hilt of the sword before him, kissed
it reverently, with tears in his eyes,
and then surrendered it to me.
"Of course l declined to receive t.,
and as the crew of the Iowa saw this
they cheered like wild men. AS
started to take Capt. Eulate into the
cabin to let the doctors examine his
wounds the magazines on board the
Vizcaya exploded with a tremendous