Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-21
scHLsY's uxFousHr surlf.
Ono Of the Nest Daring Deeds u M F.
moss Date, Lofty 3. ~

Here is an incident which shows more
clearly than anything else just what the
navy Is ready to do, and how deilcately
balanced is the chip on the shoulders Of
our sea fighters. :
When Schiey had enriched our history
on July 3. and every ship in those was.
tiers under the royal banner Of Castus
had been shattered, he was sailing east
to resume station before Santiago.
Word came to him that the Pelayo, pride
of the Spanish navy. had reached the
Caribbean. and he was directed to en-
gage her as soon as found. To naval
experts the suggestion that a cruiser
fight a battleship is insanity gone mad.
but nevertheless the Brooklyn started on
her errand.
Near Santiago battleship was sight
ed. heavily armored and turreted. but
at such a distance that her coIors could
not be distinguished under the glass.
Toward her the Brooklyn started. Com
modore Schley and Captain Cook stood
on the tforward bridge as the big cruiser,
fairly leaped forward to give battle. s.s
war time" said the commodore. watch&
ing the stranger through his glass. II
don't believe she is Spanish" he sre-
marked moment later. and then. COM
the Pelayo, suddenly exclaimed: by.
jove. II is the Pelayo. after all,"
"On the signal bridget. shouted Captain
Cook. Can you make out her colors ~,
Not yet. SIR. came the answer. f04>
lowed moment after by: I'VE have
raised her colors. sir, and she IS Span
'Send your men to quarters. ~ Cook. &:
inch shell for her when 1 give the word"
On went the Brooklyn. fast closing the,
distance between herself and the stran-
ger-a big battleship of modern type
and with her flag aft-two stripes OF red
on each side of yellow. as 1t appeared.
and. the crown In proper place. The
bugle sung ITO quarters." and the men.
morning. rushed to their guns with
cheer. For moment the commodore
hesitated. 'On the signal bridge," he
called. Are you certain the stranger
Certain, sir. came the reply. Il can
see her colors distinctly"
The commodore had his glasses on the
,b ';l Turning to the captain Of
not at quarters. His guns are turned
away from us. He is not up to snun.
Watch him closely. and the moment he
SENDS SENDS. MS men to quarters or moves
you have. We will sink him in 20 min
belt"
SNoN thSII tiIe OItCeT on the uTtukc re-
ported that the battleship was signaling
with the International code. and soon
translated the message: "This Is an
Austrian battleship."
Haif an hour later the commander OF
the Maria Theresa (Austrianl was seat
cd IN Commodore Schley's cabin.
III you had sent your men to quarters
or moved a turret l should have raked
you: II was narrow escape" said the
commodore during the conversation.
Your flag Is so like SPANS. save that
yo,. have white strip where she has
yellow. that 1t Is hard to tell them apart
nj any considerable distance. and i
came very near letting drive at you
We know that returned the Austri-
an, land we were very much worried
We stgnaled long before you answered
We had no wish to be troubled. we
have. seen the wrecks along the coast.
BUT he inquired as he rose to leave.
do you send cruisers to meet battle
ships?
The commodore smiled as he an
swered: I'VE always make a fight WIN
the first ship We have ut hand. we
never wait because we are outrated. we
try to win with what we have"
You Americans are very remark.
able said the Austrian. as he went
over the side to his boat.-(Henry Bar
rctt Chamberlain in Chicago Record