The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-10
(Copyright by Associated Press.)


On Board the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Dandy, off Santiago de
Cuba, Monday (noon), via Kingston,
Jamaica, Tuesday, June 7. Noon.-The
American feet this morning engaged
the Spanish batteries defending the
entrance to the harbor Of Santiago de
Cuba, and after a three hours bonn
bardment, siIenced nearly all the forts,
destroyed several earthWOrks and rem
dered the Estrella and Cave batter
les, the two principal Notifications,
useless.
The fleet formed in double column,
six miles off MORO castle, at o'clock
in the morning and steamed slowly
1900 yards off shore, the Brooklyn
leading, followed by the Marblehead,
the Texas and the Massachusetts, and
turned westward.
The second line, the New York lead
ing, with the New Orleans, the Yam
kee, the Iowa, and the Oregon follow
ing, turned westward. The Vixen and
the Suwanee were far out on the left
flank, watching the riflemen on shore.
duty on the right flank. The line, head
ed by the New York, attacked the new
earthworks near Moro castle. The
Brooklyn took UP a station opposite
the EStrella andCatalina batteries and
the new earthworks along the shore.
The Spanish batteries remained si-
lent. 1t is doubtful whether the Span
iards were able to determine the char
acter of the movement, owing to the
ln foo v-niv1 iah
the weather features this morning.
Suddenly the Iowa fired a 12-inch
shell which struck the base of Estrel-
la battery and tore up the works
Instantly, firing began from both
Rear Admiral Simpsons and COmmO-
dore Schley's columns, and a torrent
of shells from the ships fell upon the
Spanish works.
The Spaniards replied promptly,
but their artillery was of a very poor
quality, and most of their shots went
wide Smoke settled around the ships
in dense clouds, rendering accurate
aiming difficult. There was no ma
neuvering of the fleet, the ships re-
manning at their original stations, fir
ing steadily
The squadrons were so close in shore
that it was difficult for the American
gunners to reach the batteries on the
hill tops, but their firing was excellent.
Previous to the bombardment, or
ders were issued to prevent firing on
Morro castle, as the American admiral
had been Informed that Lieutenant
HobsOn and the other prisoners of the
Merrimac are confined there. In spite
of this. however, several stray shots
damaged MORO castle somewhat
Commodore Schley's line moved
closer in shore, firing at shorter range.
ba TAX1c palSpH havoc
among the Spanish shore batteries,
quickly silencing them. While the
larger ships were engaging the heavy
batteries. the Suwanee and the Vixen
closed in on the small in-shore bat
terry opposite them, raining rapid-fire
shots upon it and quickly placing the
battery out of the fight
The Brooklyn closed in to 500 yards
and then the destruction caused by her
guns and those of the Marblehead and
Texas was really awful. In few
minutes the woodwork of Estrella fort
was burning and the battery was si-
fenced, firing no more during the en-
,gaGement.
Eastward. the New York and the
New Orleans silenced the Cave battery
in quick order, and then shelled the
~earthwOrks located higher up. Later.
the practice vas not so accurate, ow-
of the shells, however. landed and the
Spanish gunners retired.
Shortly after o'clock the firing
ceased, the warships turning in order
to permit the use of the port batter
fes. The firing then be came a long re-
verberating crash of thunder and the
shells raked the Spall lish batteries
with terrible effect. Fire broke out in
the Catalina fort and ssilenced the
Spanish guns.
The firing of the fleet co ntinued until
10 O'Clock wheI ,he Spanish fire ceased
entirely and Ar Admiral Sampson
hoisted the "a Ase firing signal.
Generally, til. firing of the fleet was
very destructive Many of the earth
works were knocked to pieces and the
Estrella and Catalina fortlhcatlons
We're so damaged that II is quesnon-
able whether they will ever De aple TO
renew any effective work during the
war.
After the fleet had retired. The Span
iards sent twelve shells after the Heet
But no one was injured. One large
shell fell close to the collier Justin.
Throughout the engagement no
American ship was hit and no Amer7-
can was injured. If the Spaniards
stuck to their guns, and all evidence |
is to the contrary, their loss must |
have been heavy.
SANTIAGO FORTS IN RUINS.
Cape Haytien, Hayti, June 1906 a. !
m.-The fighting before and in the vi |
cinity of Santiago de Cuba continued !
the greater part of yesterday. From