Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-11-19
ADMIRAL cERvERA's REPORT.
Spanish Commanders story of the
Fight of July Sd.


Copies of the official report OF Ad.
miral Cervera to the Spanish minister
of marine in regard to the battle of
July 3, which resulted in the total
loss of his feet, have been received
aud are read with interest in naval
circles. The admiral says that, on
leaving Santiago harbor July ;, at 9
a m, he telegraphed Captain General
Blanco at Havana as follows
lin compliance with the orders Of
your excellency and appreciating the
fate that will beiall my squadron, as l
have already announced, | leave the
bay of Santiago on July 3 for the
sea
The order of sailing" Admiral
Cervera reports, had been fixed as
follows: In the first place, the Infan-
ia Maria Teresa, and afterward in this
order, the Vizcaya, Colon, Oquendo,
and lastly the 6estroyers, all going
under full steam and proceeding as
rapidly as possible. The Maria Teresa
was to commence the battle, giving
the other ships the direction to the
westward. "
That he was justified in taking this
action, the admiral states, is shown
by the praise which he has obtained
from American officers.
1.-The destroyers were not to take
part in the fighting continues the
admiral, nor in fact, were any of the
ships, the plan being to make our
escape without engaging the enemy
if possible. 1t was about twenty-five
minutes to ten in the morning
when the Maria Teresa attacked and
opened fire upon the enemy's bat
tie ship OF the type of the Indiana and
upon the Iowa, launching herself par
ticularly against the Brooklyn, which
was the most dangerous obstacle in
our path
The Brooklyn was stationed on the
right side OF the mouth of the bay,
and her great speed gave her an adj
vantage which made her especially
dangerous to my command.
THE remainder of the ships were
at this time attacking other vessels of
the enemy"
Admiral Cervera gives a list of the
vessels comprising the powerful
American feet which he was compel
led to engage, and especially calling
attention to the armored cruiser New
York, which carried the flag of Rear
Admiral Sampson; the Brooklyn, fly
ing the flag Of Commodore Schley,
and the battle ships Iowa, Oregon,
Indiana and Texas.
Realizing what the departure of
my squadron would mean" says the
report, II took the course which l had
determined upon before sailing, fully
understanding the desperateness of
the venture and appreciating before
hand what the result would be- The
American men-of. war were alongside
of our ships and after short time the
battle became general
1.-The result of the battle was never
in doubt, but never thought my YES
sells would be so quickly destroyed.
The enemy's fire produced terrible
injuries on board the Maria Teresa,
destroying her auxiliary steam pipes
and fire mains. In such a horrible
moment the commander OF the Teresa,
Commander Conca, fell, wounded, and
it was necessary to remove him. l
myself took command of the ship, it
having been found impossible to find
him at this critical period.
1.-The dead and wounded were fall
ing without cessation. Shortly after
ward l was informed that in conse-
quence of the explosion of a shell of
81 NM, my apartments had taken
fire. The FIRE, which soon spread,
commenced, at the same time on the
other side of the ship, also as a result
of the explosion of shell. Sufficient
water could not be obtained to keep
the flames under control.
~ gave instructions to my adiutant
to open the valves in the after part of
the ship, but it was impossible to do
so. A thick wall of smoke prevented
passage through the ship below deck
and my instructions couldn't be car
ried out In view of the utter impos-
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