The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-08

The defenses of Manila and its batteries
as well as those of Cavite were silenced,
n then beaten to the ground by the
rain of shot and shell.
During Saturday night the vessels
of h American squadron crept inside
the bay through a supposed maze OF
mines and torpedoes. They were not
observed by any OF the watchers of the
spanish garrison until stray sparks
were emitted from the funnel of the
dispatch boat Hugh McCulloch. Then
a few shots were exchanged with the
garrison on Corregidor. but owing to
the darkness they were Ineffective.
There was no patrol established nor
were any searchlights placed at the
entrance to Manila bay.
The vessels of the American squad
ron never stopped or slowed down I'M
til they had assumed a position di-
rectly opposite the city of Manila.
This was just at daybreak. The order
OF battle assumed by the Spanish fleet
at the beginning Of the engagement
was with all the small craft inside
Cavite harbor, which Is protected by
stone and timber breakwaters, and the
large ships maneuvering off Cavite
and Manila. The American battle line
was led by the flagship Olympia and
cruiser Raleigh. The Boston. Balti-
more, oncor and Petrol and the rev.
enue cutter McCulloch followed. The
American fleet, in easy speed, APP
preached the Spanish ships, which
were drawn out in two lines. the Reina
Maria Christina, h flagship. in the
center.
las the dawn broke and the position
Of the American squadron was dis
covered, the Spanish fleet Immediately
opened fire. supported by the Cavite
forts. The Spanish fired the first shot.
The challenge was given by the Reina
Maria Christina.
The Olympia replied. and at once the
entire American fleet was in action.
The Spanish ships did not hesitate in
their fire and the Cavite batteries let
loose their heavy guns. The best gun
ners in the American fleet hit the most
destructive weapons on their ships and
the havoc wrought was frightful. The
engagement soon became general. The
McCulloch remained at some distance
from the brunt OF the %ncounte and
the enemy's shells passed but did not
touch her. The craftsmanship of the
Spanish gunners seemed to be wild
from the outset.
The American cruiser Baltimore at
n period of the engagement received
the brunt OF the enemy's fire and suf-
fered the most OF any vessel in the
American squadron. From FIVE to ten
Of the enemy's shots too effect on the
1st I'LL, Vi III IlNtl Nj
crew were seriously hurt.
AS soon as the Spanish admiral left
the Maria Christina and boarded the
Isla de Cuba h fire was directed at the
latter mercilessly. every eight-inch gun
on every ship Joining those on the flag
ship. The Isla de Cuba was riddled by
the deadly craftsmanship of American
After a few rounds she was
put out of action. and before Admiral
Monteto had time TO get his bearings
he was driven out a second time. Again
he escaped in a small boat. But the
light was practically over.
The Spanish cruiser Castillo burst |
into flames under the remarkable gun |
merry Of Dewey's men. The American
commodore then directed a hot fire |
against the batteries. This was a sur |
prise to Admiral Montejo. who appar-
emily thought himself secure under the |
guns of the Cavite fortiications.
The Spanish cruiser Reina Maria
Christina received the full effect OF this |
CALLING fire from the American feet.
and was so badly damaged that she |
sank after catching fire. The other |
vessels of the Spanish fleet were quick |
ly riddled by the whitening hail Of lead