The record-union., 1898-06-08
Orders Given That No Shots be d.
rscted at Moro Castle, ~
Owing to the Fact That Lleuteaant Helsea
and the Other Prisoners Of the
Merrimae Are Confined
There.

OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA. MON
DAY (NOON), VIA KINGSTON, JA-
MAICA, TUESDAY, June Noon).-
Copyrighted. 1898, by the Associated
Press. 1.-THE American feet this morn
ing engaged the Spanish batteries de-
Tending the entrance Of theSharbor OF
Santiago de Cuba, and after three
hours bombardment, silenced nearly
all the forts, destroyed several earth
works and rendered the Estrella and
Cayo batteries, the two principal forti-
fcations. useless.
The fleet formed in double column,
six miles off MORO Castle at 6 o'clock
in the morning, and steamed slowly
3 3,O0O yards off shore, the Brooklyn
leading, followed by the Marhlehead.
Texas and Massachusetts,, and turned
westward. The second lsT,e. the New
York leading, with the New Orleans.
Yankee, Iowa and Oregon following,
and turned westward.
The Vixen and Suwanee were far out
on the left flank. watching the riflemen
on shore. The Dolphin and Reftsr aid
similar duty on the right flank ~.
The lire headed by the New York at
tackled the new earthworks near MORO
Castle. The Brooklyn column took UP
a station opposite the sEstrella and
Catalina batteries, and the new earth
works along the Shore
The Spanish. batteries irenfained, ST.
lent. 1t is doubtful whether the Span
iards were able to determine the char
acter Of the movement, owing to the
dense fog and heavy rain, which were
the weather features this morning.
the Iowa fired Pinch shell
which struck the base Of Estrella bat
terry and tore up the works. Instantly
firing began from both Admiral Samp-
sons and Commodore Schley's columns,
and torrent Of shells from the ships
fell upon tht Spanish works.
The Spaniards replied promptly. but
their artillery work was OF a very poor
quality, and most Of their shots went
wide. Smoke settled amongst the ships
in dense clouds, rendering accurate
firing difficult.
fleet. the ships remaining at their orig
inal station and firing steadily. The
squadrons were SO close in shore that
it was difficult for the American gum
<ho hot ho n
tops, but their firing was excellent.
Previous to the bombardment orders
were issued to prevent firing on Moro
Castle as the American Admiral had
been informed that Lieutenant Hobson
and the other prisoners of the Merri-
mac are confined there. In spite Of
this, however, several stray shots dam
aged Morro Castle somewhat.
Commodore Schley's line moved
closer in shore, firing at shorter range.
The Brooklyn and Texas caused wild
havoc among the Spanish shore bat
teries, quickly silencing them.
While the larger ships were engaging
the heavier batteries, the Suwanee and
the Vixen closed with the small in
shore battery opposite them. raining
rapid fire shots upon 1t. and quickly
placing the battery out OF the fight
The Brooklyn closed to 500 yards,
and then the destruction caused by her
guns and those Of the Marblehead and
Texas was really seen. The works Of
the Estrella fort was burning and the
battery was silenced. firing no more
during the engagement. Eastward the
New York and New Orleans silenced
the Cayo battery in quick order, and
then shelled the earthworks located
higher up. Later the practice was not
80 accurate, owing to the elevation OF
the guns. Many Of the shells, however,
landed, and the Spanish gunners re-
tired.
Shortly after 3 the firing ceased, the
turning in order to permit the
use OF the port batteries. The firing
then became long reverberating crash
of thunder, and the shells raked the
Spanish batteries with terrible effect.
Fire broke out in Catalina fort. and
sIlenced the Spanish gums. The firing
OF the fleet continued until Il. O'Clock.
when the Spanish ceased firing entirely.
and Admiral Sampson hois&ed the
-cease firing signal
Generally the fire Of the fleet was
very destructive. Many fOf the earth
works were knocked to piecesy sand the
Estrella and Catalina furtifications
were so damaged that 1t Is question
able whether they will ever be, able to