New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-22

Subic. according to trustworthy information
IN order to destroy our feet. Afterward it will
60 to Manila"
This telegram proved that the enemy knew
where my squadron was and he knew exactly
the absolute Gefcnccessness Of the harbor OF
subc
RETURNING TO MANILA
On April IS l held a council Of war with the
commanders Of the various vessels. They all
with the exception OF Del Rios. chief OF the
Marine Arsenal. were Of the opinion that the
position could not be defended. and that We
should sail 10 Manila Bay in order to meet the
battle under the least unfavordble conditions
With my squadron. left Subic at 1890 on the
morning OF April %. The Castillo was towed
by the tug Manila On the evening OF the same
day received a telegram from Subc which
contained the news that the enemy's squadron
had forced entrance to the harbOr about
o'clock in order TO make a reconnaissance of
the location OF our ships. The telegram also
said that the American warships had started
FOR Manila.
l recommended to the captain Of the Isa de
Nndanao. which came out OF the harbOr. TO
save his ship by sailing for Singa pore the
enemy would not probably reach the bays en-
trance before midnight. Since the captain was
not authorized by his firm. Re did not dare 10
90. ana l accordingly directed him 10 anchor
near Bacoor in the shalowest water he could
find
About midnight firing Of heavy guns was
heard in the direction OF Corregdor Island. and
al o'clock on the morning Of May | received
Geographic dispatch saying that the Ameri-
can warships which had directed their fire
against the batteries at the harbcr's entrance,
had exchanged several shots with them.
PREPARING FOR BATTLE
sent word TO Sehor Sostoa. the General in
command OF the Arsenal and TO Garcia Pena,
the Governor General OF CavitG. that they
should hold themselves in readiness 10 repel an
attack.
issued orders. calling TO quarters all officers.
sailors and marines. That IS everything that
took place from the time Of my departure from
Subic until the American squadron forced an
entrance into Manila Bay.
After the squadron was ready for action (Ad-
miral MOntOjo continues after enthusiasm was
az a high pitch, and every man was at his post.
we waited expecting every minute the attack Of
the enemy. on all of the ships which had
been paiuied a dark gray color the Yards rail
ings and boats had been slowed away in order
partly 10 lessen the effect of the shots and
splnters. Likewise the ~indlssses were taken
down. that the anchors could be let go IN a
Ala o'clock in the morning the alarm signal
vas sounded at 40 the Don Juan De Austria
announced the approach Of the enemys squad
ron and few minutes later We saw 10 port
dark mass parallel 70 our battle-line at a dis
lance Of about six thousand metres. At
the head OF the vessels was the flagship
Olympia, followed 10y the Baltimore me
Raleigh. the Boston. the Concord. the He
lena the Petrol and the McCulloch. The
transports Zaflro and Nashan outside
Of the line OF battle These ships not
counting the transports had displacement Of
214l6 tons. 029O HORSEPOWER. 1f% guns. many
o. which were Talll-Iie. i'V men, anu Gt
average speed Of little over seventeen knots
an hour Against these were only four or five
ships which really fit for service. They
showed strength Of l0.ll1 tons. ll.2n horse
power, seventy-six guns. including rapid-hre,
1915 men. and maximum speed Of twelve
knots
THE BATTLE OPENS.
The battery on Punta sangley opened fire at
o'clock. The first shots were too short and
struck to the left Of the flagship The enemy
IL h OH egff. ,ysg my
squadron. The battery mentioned had only TWO
guns of the Ordonnez system. 1'-inch in call
hre. These TWO guns were the ones "hich
first opened on the enemys squadron. few
minutes later one OF the Manila batteries ike
wise opened fire. and ct > IL o'clock. in accord
ance with signal from the flagship. our fleet
fred It's first shots. which were Immediately an
swered by the fire Of the enemy The battle
then ragged along the entire line. We slipped
our cables and started the engines. IN order
not 10 serve as a stationary target FOR the
enemy.
The fire Of the Americans rapid, and We
found our ship being riddled with countless
proiecties for the three cruisers which led the
American line aimed particularly at the Reina
Crisira. my flagship.
Soon after the battle began a shell exploded
In the turret. killed or wounded the entire crews
o' the four guns, and tore from the foremost a
fragment which wounded the helmsmen. who
We're steering on deck. The first Lieutenant.
jose Nunez took charge OF the steering gear
ana stuck 70 his task until the end Of the battle,
showing bravery which Is beyond all praise.
AHOlner smell entered between decks ana set
Oh nre the material belonging 10 the ships car
penters. Fortunately. however, the crew sue
ceeded IN extingushing the flames.
DEADLY ACCURACY of THE FIRE.
The enemy moored 10 closer. and overwhelmed
US with rain % shells from the rapid-fre guns
a shel completely destroyed tne pilot engine
aoout $50, and the ship remained for long
,me without steering way. Another shell burst
Va NE stern. and killed or wounded nine men.
tnird shattered the end OF the m:zzenmast
fi1D F..n
OF which were al once replaced. Another shell
narst n the officers cabin. and tore 10 pieces
ny wounded who we're being cared for there
.ne eaD!n became q hospital full or blood SIN
.ssno'ner shell struck the magazine, wrapped
.ns' part of the ship in smoke. and Injured the
gear
since 1t was no longer possible 20 overcome
wy IRE, the masazlr had 10 be flooded. as the
sa sna were beginning to explode Many
sneIs OF small! calibre pierced the smokestack
ana also one from "A heavy gun Shots pene-
ulaled TIA protected deck and killed or wounded
me captain OF a gun and twelve sunners
another she'll dismountcd the large starboard
gun The ship was on FIRE astern when shot
i'sred the bow. piercing The armor ana ex-
n'oded between decks. The deck guns. whlch
a. used without much effect. continued ne
nIe. single captain Of a gun. with comradc
x roin The marines. both Of whom were I'M
"'Shuec, Kept working the guns
THE MARIA CAIsTINA SUNK.
As the ship was without steering way. her
'.uu''d WIN SnOt, anu tne i.''S a." 49,
svh wrapped In flames, and. furthermore, "s
r ~.t "a the crew. among them seven olhcci7
ere either killed or wounded / gave orders
A. s,,h the ship before the magazines exploded
~ ne same time, sign2ned 10 the luz"n am
Wv. ne 'ala that they should draw near as soon
80 possible, in order 10 take off those OF the crew
huo were stu alive. This was done by the
r rva,s or those ships. which were aided IN the
"otK by boats from the Duero and from me
H,ssHal left the Reina Crstlna, in company
I'm my genera. STAFF. after had hauled down
W., we ensign. and hoisted my flag on the cruiser
is!a &c Cuba
"aen / had sayed large number OF the
,ew cl The lGchless ship she'll Killed her
11sooe Commander. Luis cardasos. who was