Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-04
.THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE
Another Report on Destruc-
ton of Cervera'S Fleet.
HOW THE VICTORY WAS ACHIEVED
Details Given by Commander
of American Ship.
The Vixen Engaged the v,xcaya, and sheiied
Her for six Minutes. When the spanish
Vessels Ensign Was Hauled Down and
tho Firing Ceased.

Washington, July 2s.-The following
additional report on the destruction
Of Admiral Cervera's feet was made
rublic today:
u. s. S. Vixen, Guantanamo, Cuba,
July s.--Sir:
hays the honor to maks the follow
ing report as TO the part taken by the
u. S. S. Vixen in the engagement with
the Spanish fleet under the command
OF Admiral Cervsra during the morning
and afternoon Of Sunday, July 3D., 1898:
between 8. 80 and 8. 10 a. N. tho Vixen
was at point about four miles to the
westward Of Moro, and at distance
OF about IL miles south OF the shore
line. At about 0. 40 il was reported to
me that an explosion had taken place
In the entrance of Santiago harbor. |
| went on deck, and almost Immediately
| sighted the leading vessel of the
| Spanish fleet standing out Of the en-
| trance. Some of the vessels of our
fleet were closing 10 towards Moro
and firing.
| The Vixen was heading towards
i Moro. The engines were ordered ahead
| at full speed, and tho helm was put
hard anort, the object being to gross
ahead OF the leading Spanish vessel,
and thus not obstruct the gun fire of
our own feet, the shella from which
soon began to fall about the position
We had just left. The leading Spanish
vessel opened lire on this vessel with
her stRrbonrd bow guns, the proiectiles
from which passed ever us, all being
aimed too high. / estimate tine num-
her of snots fired at liz ut this time to
baye been between five and ten.
As, the Vixen gathered Roadway her
head came to about s. by s. W., open-
ing the Brooklyn up about two points
on out port bow: stesdied her and
ASHAMED on about this COURSE until we
had reached a position about a mile TO
the southwark and windward Of the
Brooklyn, which was now turning with
port helm and firing her guns as they
bore on the enemy's vessels.
Seeing that the Spanish vessels were
out of range Of our guus, while we were
well within range of theirs, we reserved
our fire..
About 11.06 having approached
within range of the Vizcaya. we opened
fired with our slarhoard bHttery at an
elevation OF 5000 yards for the six
FOUNDER guns and the extreme elevation
| for tina one-pounders. We continued
! Tue ufe iOr biA miuuteSt Wueus btolnR
, that the ensign OF the Vizcaya was mol
, flying, at ll.l2. ordered that firing
: cease. We expended 81 six-pounders A.
j p. shells anu Is one-pounder common
shells.
/ I have the honor to enclose a copy
, of notes taken, during the chase, by
my orders, upon the suggestion ut
4 Lieut.. Harlow. These notes wer,
/ written by Assistant pnymaster Dohsrt,
= and the incidents and time were givel
by Lieut.. Harlow, whose watch wa
:, five minutes slow Of deck clock time
a The time taken after 10. 80 is accurate
while the time taken before that hou
Z was estimated and may be in error
1 few minutes.
q Enclosed is a sketch showing th
i position Of vessels at various times. !
a is made from a chart taken from th
J. Cristobal Colon after the surrender
q and 10 enlarged four times. All course
are true.
In conclusion, wish to call to you
! attention the GOODNESS and strict Htten
= ton to duty OF both officers and msn.
4 Very respectfully.
l. Alex. Sharp, Jr.,
"A s Lieutenant, Conmaudiug.
"a To commander in chief, U. s. NavI
= forces, North Atlantic Station.