The times., 1898-07-12
FROM SPANISH LIPS.
A Captain ON the Maria Teresa Tells
of the Naval Disaster.

New York, July 1.-THE second cap
Teresa. has related to a correspondent of
the Herald the following story of the. at
tempt of Cervera's fleet to escape:
"Our plan for escape was well arrang-
ed. but better formulated than executed.
We had arranged to force our way out
on Saturday night, and the Maria Te-
resa was to have led. But contrary to
our expectations, the searchlights of
your ships did not illumine the channel
out that light we were unable TO discern
the wreck of the Merrimae, so we could
not go out You know how we came out
the next NOTWITHSTANDING. that was.
Great crowds were expected to come
down to the whraf to see us depart. but
the American troops were pushing the
city too hard in front and there were
none to see US off. Our orders were 10
steam at fun speed 10 the westward after
clearing the harbor and concentrate our
attack ON the Brooklyn paying no at
tention to any of the other ships, unless
they forced US to attack them.
us from the battery that only the Texas
and the Brooklyn were on the westward.
and we got under way, the Maria Teresa,
being the flagship, taking the lead We
opened fire on the Brooklyn. and the
Texas answered IL, but her shot fell
short. Otherwise she would have struck
us, for ii was a straight line snot. The
Brooklyn and the Iowa then fired, bur
neither shot hit Again the BROOKLYN
and the Texas fired. The Brooklyn's
shell went into the admiraFs cabin. and,
exploding, set fire TO the after part of
the ship. The shell from the Texas pierre
ed our side armor and exploded in the
engine room, bursting the main steam
pipe. We signaied to the engineer to
start the pumps, but got no reply, and
then found that all below in that part
of the ship had been killed AT that time
II was like hell on our bridge. Shells
were bursting all around us and the
ships hull was being riddled below.
The captain turned 10 me and said:
Sir. do pou think it best TO continue the
hopeless fight. or, for the sake of hu-
manity and to save life, should we not
beach the ship? Many of our guns are
dismounted. and our engines are Grip
Piled
Sir l replied. we are unable TO fight
longer. Let US beach the ship
Then, as / said that a shell struck
our captain. His last words were TO haul
down the colors. The American fire was
so fierce. and their shells were bursting
around US so fast and making so much
smoke that the Americans could not see
that the flag was down. and continued
firing. 1 sent below for blanket, and
as soon as that was run up the firing
ceased.
Meanwhile, the Vizcaya had run be-
tween US and The Texas and was then
engaging three ships-the Brooklyn. Ore
gon and Texas. She made desperate
but hopeless fight. Now that we have
learned that we lost between 500 and 600
men, and the Americans lost only one
man. ii amaZes me. 1t IS incredible. We
cannot comprehend it. 1t does not seem
possible. And yet we must believe It,
Have we not seen with our own eyes the
utter wrecks of our ships. and how yours
were not hurt. even the smallest injury.
that we could see
'If you had managed to escape. where
would you have gone, to Cienfuegos?''
by no means" the officer replied.
Our intention was 10 run to Havana,
raise the blockade there and enter the
harbor."
What will be the result of the battle -
the Spanish commander was asked.
'Ah, do not know" was the mourn
full reply. 81 hear now that the Ameri-
cans intend 10 send a feet to my coun-
try-that is my anxiety. My poor Spain
will be helpless against your attack.
have seen what your ships can do and
know our exposed cities will be destroy
ed
You were. then, much impressed with
the fire of the American ships?''
"a xuara an astopjshad hx-f azir
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