Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-27


and made plain the duty Of every Uni
ted States vessel to close in, immedi
ately engage and pursue This wa
promptly and effectively done. As al
ready stated the first rush Of the Spaa
| ish squadron carried it past a numbe
of biockadlng ships, which could no
| Immediately work up to their beg
| speed; but they suffered heavily Il
passing, and the Infanta Maria Tere
sa and the Oquendo were probably SO
on fire by shells fired during the frs
| Is minutes of the engagement.
| 1t was afterwards learned thai
| the Infanta Maria Teresa's fire.
main had been cut by one Of
| our first shots, and that she was unabi.
| to cxtinguish the fire. With large vol
unes Of smoke rising from her lower
decks aft, these vessels gave up both
fight aud flight, and ran in on the
bcach--the Infanta Maria Teresa al
about 1918 A. NJ. at Nimanima, six ana
half miles from Santiago harbor en-
trance, and the Oquendo at about 1870
\. NJ. at Juan Gonzales, seven miles
from the port.
THE Vizcaya was still undcr the
fire OF the leading vessels-the Cristo-
bal Colon had drawn ahead, leading
the chase, and soon passed beyond the
range Of the guns Of the leading Arneri-
can ships. The Vizcaya was soon sci
on fire. and at Ills sre turned in shore
ana was beached. u miles from Santi-
ago burning fiercely, and with her re-
serves Of ammunition on deck already
beginning to explode.
When about 10 miles west Of Santiago
tn" Indiana had been sicnalled to 90
back To the harbor entrance and al
Ascerraderos the Iowa was signailed to
resume blockading station" The
Iowa, assisted by the Ericsson and the
Hist. took Of the crew of the Vizcaya
vhile the Harvard and the Glouces. .~
scucd those Of the Maria Teresa and
the Oquendo. This rescue Of prison
ers including the wounded from tie
burning Spanish vessels, was the SEGA
s.nu " some Of the mos; daring and
gallant conduct Of the day The ships
were burning fore and aft, their gans
ana reserve ammunition were expiod-
ing and it was not known at what no
men. the fire would reach the man
magazines In addition to this. q
heavy surf was running just inside Of
:he Spanish ships Bu; no risk Icror-
red our officers and men until their
work IL humanity was complet-.
le-There remained now of 5he Spanish
slips only the Cristobal Colon. but she
VA -Heir h,-t ana fastest vessel. Forced
by the situation 10 mug the Cuban coast
hqr uu.y chIueu VI escape Has hy supe-
rior ana sustained speed. When the VIZ
caya went ashore. the Colon was about
miles ahead Of the brooklyn ana the
oregon. but h,r squirt was finished and
tho. American ships were now gaining
upon her Behind the Brooklyn and the
oregon came the Texas. Vixen and New
York It Was evident from the bridges Of
,hr New York ;hat all Che American ships
were gradually ovprhauling thc chase.
3u,. that she had no chance 81 escape. At
t2ln Ia, Brooklyn ana Tho Oregon opened
fire and got her ranEe-thc oregon :
heavy She'll striking beyond her-and at
len she gave up without firing another
shot. hauled down nor colors and ran
ashore r.; Rio Torquino. A. miles from
Santiago. capt; Cook of the brooklyn,
went on board to receive the surrender.
White his boat was alongside ! came up
in the New York. received his report and
placed the Oregon in charge Of the wreck
Ia save her If possible. and directed the
prisoners TO be transferred To the Reso-
lutte. which had followed the chase.
Commodore Schl,y. whose chief Of stafi
had gone on board torcceiVe ,he surrender.
had directed that all their personal effects
Should he retained by the officers. This
order ! did not modify The Colon was
NIT injured by our firing and probably is
not much injured by beIchns. though she
ram ashore ii hi@h speed. The beach was
50 Ste,p that she came of by The working
of the sea But her SEA valves We're
opened and troarherously broken, | am
Surr after her surrender, and despite all
forts size sank. When it became evil
a.nt that She could DO Kept atloat she
WAS pushed by the New York bodily upon
th. beach. ~ Captain Chadwick, with ad-
mirllle Judgment. and sank in shoal