Evening journal., 1898-05-02
THE AMnRIcAN FLAGsHIP.

taken by the American forces and that
the cable lines are still under the con-
troll of Spain.
From the fact that even the advices
from Madrid show that the American
warships darad the best, there is hardly
any dOubts that when complete details
are obtainable II viii be learned that IL
was crushing defeat for Spain Re
ports of the battle thus FAR are coming
I'm plecemeal.
During the two engagements that
took place Commodore Montoio, COM
mandlng tho Spanish fleet. lost three OF
his largest ships. His flagship, the
steel cruiser Reina Cristina, and the ar
mored cruiser Castillo were burned, and
the cruiser Don Juan de Austria was
blown up Several other Spanish ves-
sells were badly damaged. one report
adds that several other Spanish ships
were sunk by their commanders TO pre-
vent their falling into the hands Of the
Americans.
There was a heavy loss OF life among
the Spanish. Captain Cadarso. COM
manding the Reina Christina. was kill
ed Commodore Montojo, commanding
the fleet. shifted his flag from the Relna
Christina 10 the Isla de Cuba, a much
smaller steel protected cruiser. just be-
fore the Christina sank. The blowing
UP OF the Don Juan de Austria was at
tended by great loss of life among
the crew, her commander also being
killed.
Commodore Dewey's squadron. leav-
ing subig bay, a few miles from Ma
nila. about o'clock Saturday after
noon, proceeded toward Manila Under
the cover of darkness he entered the
harbor OF Manila, the batteries located
there announcing his arrival.
Both fleets lined up for battle at
daybreak-about 8 o'clock-yesterday
morning. The guns of the American
warships began firing on the fortress Of
Cavite and the arsenal OF Manila.
Under the protection Of the guns of
these fortincations the Spanish war
ships opened fire on the American fleet.
For several hours the harbor resounded
with the roar OF guns. the crashing of
steel and tmbers. the shrieks and
groans Of the wounded. Thick clouds
Of smoke at times almost obscured the
opposing fleets from each other.
A well directed shot reached the iron
cruiser Don Juan de Austria, a vessel
of i,100 tons. A terrific explosion fol-
lowed and the ship was blown up.
All the time during the first engage
ment the American ships We're under
way, their maneuvering being intended
10 render the craftsmanship of the
Spanish gunners less effective.
The American squadron about Z
o'clock drew off 10 the west side of the
bay and took refuge behind some for
eign shipping The ships had evidently
suffered considerable damage. After
some hasty repairs they returned to the
conflict.
During this engagement the guns ci
Cavite maintained a steadier and
stronger fire upon Commodore Dewev's
ships than in the first encounter. bui
the American guns were being used
with telling effect
As the smoke lifted Il was seen thai
the flagship Reina Cristlna was on fire
The vessel was completely burned. II
the interval between the two engage.
ments Commodore Montojo moved hi,
flag from the Relna Cristina to tn,
smaller cruiser Isla de Cuba. To tbs
fact that he made this change he doubt.
less owes his life.
The cruiser Castillo, next 10 the flag
ship the largest and most powerful o
the Spanish squadron, was also burned