The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-27
ITO the Commander-in-ChiefU o. 9. Naval
Force, North Atlantic Station"


Force North Atlantic Stat
CAPT, CLARK OF THE OREGON.
Following is the report of Captain c.
E. Clark, Of the U. S. s. Oregon, first
rate:
"Or Santiago de Cuba July 4. 1888
''sir-I have the honor to report that at
$50 g. m yesterday the Spanish neet
was discovered standing out Of the harbor
at Santiago de Cuba They turned TO
the westward and opened fire, 70 wnich
our ships replied vigor 0usly. For snort
time there was almost a continuous hisnt
of projectiles over this ship, but when our
line was fairly engaged and the Iowa
had made a swift advance, as II TO ram
or close, the enemy's fire became defect
i've In train as we'll as range. The ship
was only struck three times and at least
two of them were by fragments Of shells
We had no casualties.
LAS soon as 1t was evident that the en-
emys ships were trying 10 break through
and escape 10 the westward We went
ahead at full speed with the determine
ton of carrying out 10 the Utmost your
order; If the enemy tries to escape the
ships must close and engage as soon as
possible and endeavor to sink his ships
or force them to run ashore
I'VE soon passed all of our ships ex-
cept the Brooklyn, bearing the broad
pennant of Commodore Schley. At first
We only used our main battery, but when
it was discovered that the enemy's tor
pedo boats were following their ships We
used our rapid-fire guns as well as the
six-pounders upon them, with telling ef-
feet. AS we ranged UP near the sternmost
of their ships she headed for the beach,
evidently on fire. We raked her as we
passed, pushing on for the next ahead,
using our starboard guns as they were
brought to bear and before We had her
fairly abeam she, too, was making for
the beach.
The two remaining vessels were now
some distance ahead, but our speed had
increased to Is knots and our fire, added
to that of the Brooklyn. soon sent an
other the Vizcaya, TO the shore in
flames.
Only the Cristobal Colon was left and
for a. time 1t seemed as If she might es-
cape, but when we opened with our for
ward turret guns and the Brooklyn fol-
lowed she began to edge in toward the
coast and her capture or destruction was
assured AS she struck the beach her
flag came down and the Brooklyn sig
nailed Cease firing following it with
Congratulations for the grand victory;
thanks tor your splendid assistance
THE Brooklyn sent boat TO her and
when the admiral came up with the New
York and Texas and Vixen she was taken
possession of. A prize crew was put on
board from the ship under Lieutenant
Commander CogweI, the executive officer
but before II p. m. the ship, which had
been filling in spite of an efforts 10 stop
leaks, was abandoned, and just as the
crew left she went over on her side.
'I cannot speak in too high terms of the
bearing and conduct Of all on board this
ship. When they found that the Oregon
had pushed to the front and was hurry
ing to a succession of conflicts with the
enemy's vessels If they could be over
taken and would engage, their enthusiasm
was intense.
LAS these vessels were 30 much more
heavily armored than the Brooklyn they
might have concentrated upon and over
powered her, and consequently 1 am per-
suaded that but for the way the officers
and men Of the Oregon steamed and
steered the ship and fought and supplied
her batteries. the Colon and perhaps the
Vizcaya would have escaped. Therefore
feel that they rendered meritorious
service to the country, and while 1 can
not mention the name of each officer and
man individually, 1 am going to append
a list of the officers, with their stations,
that they occupied, hoping that they may
be of service to them should the claims
of others for advancement above them
ever be considered.
(Here Captain Clarke gives list of the
officers and their positions in the fght)