The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-07-08
DESPERATE
DASH FOR LIBERTY
Fled From Santiago Harbor into Living Volcano Outside and the
Destruction of His Fleet Was Swift and Complete.

"Cervera's trying to escape" was
the cry that resounded through the
fleet. Every American vessel quick
ly weighed anchor. The engines
were started and one by one the
great American warships made
ready for battle.
Just as the Cristobal Colon was
poking her nose out into the open
sea Commodore Schley sent the
Brooklyn madly rushing to the west
ward to head off Cervera's flagship.
He ordered the Massachusetts and
Oregon to follow after, at the same
time ordering the Indiana, Iowa
and Texas to intercept the other
vessels of the escaping fleet. Then
began one of the greatest sea fights
in history.
The Cristobal Colon glided out of
the harbOr and shot to the west
ward. The Indiana, which was
closest, headed straight in shore to
get close range, and the Spaniard
opened fire with an eleven inch
gun. The Indiana replied with her
l3-inch guns, and a moment later
let go everything she could bring to
bear.
Just as the Iowa and Texas opened
fire on the doomed Admiral, the
Oquendo came into view and steam
ed swiftly westward into the smoke
and lighting where Cevera's flag
still flew. Cervera's flag was hid
den for a time, and he fed west
ward, his port broadside emitting
flashes and tongues of flame, which
marked his progress. For the next
five minutes he ran a gauntlet such
as no ship had ever ran in history,
and when his consorts were burning
and he surrended his ship, he still
had a gun or two capable OF action.
The Indiana fell on the Oquendo,
paying no heed to the MORO battery
whose gunners tried hard to pro
tect the cruiser as she moved TO the
westward. The Iowa let Cervera
go Oh into the hands of the Oregon
Massachusetts and Brooklyn, and
then turned with the Texas to pound
the Oquendo.
Another ship emerged from the
harbor. 1t was the Viscaya, com
ing at full speed, smoke curling
over her bow as she took her course
to the westward and brought hel
bow guns into play.
Behind her came the Infants
Maria Teresa and SPANS two much
dreaded torpedo boat destrOyers
perhaps two-hundred yards apart
The Maria Teresa was received will
a terrific storm of shells. Smashed
and on fire she was beached close tC
the Moro.
Three-quarters of an hour after
the battle began it was evident tina
the Spanish had many guns disabled
and would have to surrender.
The Texas and the Massachusetts,
Joined the Iowa and the Indiana
The Oquendo and the Vizcaya hug
ged the shore and steamed after
! Cervera to go with him to defea
and death.
From the very first of the fighting
the little Gloucester was in thu
thickest of it. At one time she wa
pouring her siX-pounder shells
against the entire Spanish fleet
while the guns of Moro Castle were
making her their target. She Tough
the Vizcaya and Oquendo as fierce
ly as if she were a battleship, ant
when the last of the Spanish fleet
the two destroyers-appeared out o
the harbor she accepted them as hel
part of her contract and began pour
ing deadly volleys into them.
At this time the New York ap
peared. Then Moro Numbered a
Sampson as he came within range
but the Admiral never needed, see
ing only in the distance the din
form of the Vizcaya and the Oquen
do hopelessly hemmed in by a circl