The herald., 1898-06-08
AMCNG THE PASSENGERS OF
THEBELGlC
EACH TELLS HIS STORY
ALL EXPRESS RESPECT FOR
SPANISH VALOR
FIRED WHILE SHIPS FLQATED
But Courage Not Supported by Skill
Sent Most Of the Shells Harm
lessly Skyward
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
SAN FRANCISCO, June 7.-There is an
interesting party of travellers on the Bel
gic. which arrived from Honolulu today.
1t is made up of not less than four of Uncle
Sans officers who took part in the great
fight in Manila bay on the morning of
May /. They are Colonel G. A. Loud. pay
master of the dispatch boat McCulloch;
DR.. Charles p. kindelberger, surgeon of
the Olympia; Ralph Phelps, private Sec
rotary to the captain of the McCulloch;
]. c. Evans, gunners of the Boston.
Messrs. Loud. Kindleberger and Evans
came direct from Manila. They left the
scene Of the battle on the McCulloch on the
morning of May 5, and it was that trip of
the little steamer that brought the first
American reports of the fight. Mr.. Phelps
was in Hong Kong. He remained over
there in charge of important business mat
tiers of the captains.
DR.. Kindleberger and Gunner Evans are
going home on account of the expiration
of their sea time. They are now, under
the rules, expected to perform shore duty
for three years, but both will endeavor TO
go back to sea again at once Colonel
Loud and Mr.. Phelps are merely going on
business, and will return to the McCul-
loch.
These men, is may be expected from the
important parts they took in the Manila
fight. have each very interesting stories
to tell. They speak first of all, however of
the valor and determination of their OPP
ponents. They say that the Spaniar1s
fought bravely, even after the last vestige
of hope was gone, and remained by their
guns as long as they could be used at all.
Mr. Loud. who was on the McCNlloch
during the battle, was a witness of events
on both sides. From his position he could
see every movement of the American ships
and could also see the battle plans of the
Spaniards.
"For two hours" says Mr.. Loud, 'the
steady thunder of cannon was kept up.
The roar was something terrible. A ter
rifle fire was kept up from the forts and the
Spanish ships upon our fleet. 1t looked to
us from the McCulloch that our vessels
could not possibly survive the awful fusl-
lade. Heavy shells and solid shot fell
around them like hail from the clouds, and
many exploded Immediately over the ships.
SAT one time, 1 really thought we would
be beaten. This was after the fire had
been kept up for an hour. 1t looked as If
every gun on the Spanish ships had turned
loose on us all together. anH the shore line
was vertable blaze OF fire from the
batteries. The din was simply fndescrib-
able. Tons upon tons of shot fell over
our ships. Yes. there was steel enough to
have sunk our entira fleet.
"Our salvation was in the bad marks
manship of the Spaniards. They handled
their pieces like boys. Nearly all of their
shot went wide of the mark Most were
high, flying over the fleet and falling into
the bay beyond. Some of the batteries,
however, We're better trained. Several
guns maintained a raking fire on the fleet.
Nearly all of our ships were struck by both
large and small shot, but no damage of
consequence was done.
1--WE left Manila on the 5th. At that time
Commodore Dewey was in possession of
the shore forts and arsenal. Considerable
ammunition and some fair guns were cap
tured. All of the Spanish vessels were
resting easy on the bottom of the bay.
Several were burned TO the waters edge,
and as you know, one was blown up.
Manila on the opposite side of the bay.
had not been taken, and it was not the
purpose of Commodore Dewey to do so
al that time. OF course the city and it's
suburbs were completely at the mercy of
our guns, and we could have laid it in ruins
In very short time. But the force on the
warships Is too small to land and take pos
session.
'When the troops arrive from San Fran
cisco Commodore Dewey will demand the
immediate surrender of the city and the
troops stationed there. If a refusal is given
fire will at once be opened from the war
ships and forcible possession will be taken
at once.
"There will be no difficulty in holding
Manila and the Philippines. The complete
subjugation of the Spanish forces in the
group will be accomplished without trouble
and with very little danger to American
life. The insurgents are very friendly and
at the time we left were beseging the town
in large force. They are acting under the
orders of Commodore Dewey"
Kindleberger's Story
SAN FRANCISCO, June 4.--Dr. Kindle-
berger, who returned from Manila on the
Belgic, gives a graphic account of the ter
rifle fight. He was on the Olympia through
It all. In the first assault the flagship
took the lead, the other vessels following
in her wake at four lengths The Span
ish fleet was approached by laps, each turn
bringing. the contestants nearer together.
By this plan the American vessels FREE
quently poured broadsides into the enemy.
but were themselves more exposed to the
fire.
At one time the smoke became so dense
that it was necessary to draw aside, allow
ing the cloud to lift. The vessels were ex-
amined and 1t was discovered that they
had sustained no damage. Breakfast was
served to the men and in few minutes