, 1898-10-04

four monitors, one to be named Wyo-
ming. The new monitors will each cost
81, 500. 900; will have two turrets and
carry 12-inch and 4-inch guns.
The application to have a war res
sci named Wyoming was made by Sen
ator Warren several years ago., his ef-
forts being directed particularly to
have a tirst-class battleship named at
ter the state. This could net be accom-
plished, but the privilege was given OF
having one Of the proposed monitors
christened Wyoming and this was fin
ally accepted.
The name Wyoming is o a new
| one in the list Of vessels which have
done distinguished service in the
American navy. The old Wyoming
was a sister ship OF the Kearsarge and
stationed in Asiatic waters to repre-
sent the United States in that part Of
the world. Here the ship fought an
heroic but scarcely remembered fight
against three cruisers and six batteries
of Prince Nagato, a pirate rebel prince
of the Japanese government. Before
sailing for the Asiatic station the Wy
oming took part in the hardest portion
of the blockade and cruising service OF
the war. She was sent with her sister
ship, the Kearsarge. to cruise for the
Alabama. and just missed that scourge
OF the waters ON several occasions by
the merest chance i'm the China yeas.
The two vessels passed each other in
the tortuous passages OF the islands OF
the China seas unknown to one anoth-
er. Then the Alabama squared away
for the Atlantic again. to meet her fate
the Wyoming sailed to one of the hard
est fights that ever took place in ORR
entail waters.
The fight took place in 1853. Prince
Nagato, who had rebelled against the
government Of the mikado. had fired
upon an American merchantmen and
killed several of her crew. The United
States government demanded repara-
ton of the Japanese government, which
suggested that Commander McDugaa,
in command Of the Wyoming, be given
permission to attack Nagato and pun
ish him for the insult to our govern
ment. This suggestion was adopted
and McDugall was given carte blanche
to settle accounts with the prince OF
Nagato. On July Is the Wyoming
found herself In the straits Of Simon
oscki, in sight OF the shore batteries
fire a shot at the batteries
two Japanese gunboats doomed up, one
ahead and n astern, while a third
came cruising out from a neighboring
island. 1t was a nasty place for a fight,
McDugall being without charts or
pilots. The odds were against him In
armament, the Japs having 48 guns
on the three vessels. to say nothing OF
those on the shore batteries. against
the rs guns on the Wyoming. There
was a chance to run away, but the idea
OF taking 1t does not seem to have oc-
CURED to Commodore McDugall.
The Wyoming opened up the fight a.
long range, and worked down on the
nearest Jap with such a wicked fire
that h gunboat was completely dis
mantled. The other two vessels crowd
ed up and engaged the American on
either side, but she lay to and gave
them shot for shot. It was desperate
work in the shallow water, and the
Wyoming was twice aground and once
afire. The Wyoming and her two or
ponents circled around like two crows
and a ktngbird. until they drifted down
into range of one OF the shore batteries
which at once took a hand in the game
The Wyoming then ran across the bow
OF one Of the gunboats and raked the
craft until it was q floating wreck
Then she turned her attention to the
shore batteries and tossed hot shot IN.
to the works until they were afire and
the gunners fled to escape the flames
The remaining cruiser pulled out Of the
fight and reiterated in water too shall
low for the Wyoming to follow. Nc
DugaH then sen word to Naeato to
surrender or he would send his marines
inland and she'll the palace. The
prince at once surrendered and prom
ised indemnity to both the Japanese
and United States govennments, The
share Of the United States in what vas
finally recovered amounted to nearly
$4,000 900. which will more than cav
for the new Wyoming. The loss on the
wyoming a five killed and six
wounded. Strange as 1t may seem, the
WyomtnE's oriental battle Is an al
most u~nrecorded chapter in our naval
annals. though in daring It r1nks with
the attack OF the Kearsase On the Aha
bama. The story Of tho fight was re-
Gently given attention on accoank Of
the effort Of Wyomingis senatpss to -
cure the name for a now war vessel end
has attracted attention elm more NJ
Gently on account Of the ressmblnncs
Of che nsht to the Dewey victory N
AAndM hy..heyenne Sun-Lssder.
L"