The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-27

discovered standing u of the harbor
OF Santiago de Cuba. They turned to
the westward and opened FIRE, to which
our ships replied vigorously. For q
short time there was an almost con-
tinuous flight of projectiles over this
ship, but when our line was fairly en-
gagged and the Iowa had made a swift
advance. as IL to ram or close, the en-
emy's fire became defective in train as
well as range The ship was struck
only three times. and at least W OF
them were by fragments Of shells. We
had no casualties.
AS soon as it was evident that the
enemy's ships were trying to break
through and escape to the westward
we went ahead at full speed with the
determination Of carrying out to the
utmost your order: IF the enemy tries
to escape the ships must close and en-
gage as soon as possible and endeavor
to sink his vessels or force them
ashore" We soon passed all of our
ships except the Brooklyn, bearing the
broad pennant of Commodore Schley.
At first we only used our main battery,
but when il was discovered that the en-
emy's torpedo boats were following
their ships we used our rapid fire guns
as we'll as the six-pounders upon them
with telling effect. As we ranged up
near the sternmost of their ships she
headed for the beach, evidently on fire.
We raked her as We passed. Pushing
on for the next ahead, using her star
board guns as they were brought to
bear and before we had her fairly
abeam, she too was making for the
beach. The two remaining vessels were
now some distance ahead, but our speed
had increased to Is knots and our fire,
added 10 that of the Brooklyn, soon sent
another, the Vizcaya, to the shore in
flames. Only the Cristobal Colon was
left, and for a time IL seemed as IL she
might escape, but when We opened fire
with our onward turret gun and the
Brooklyn followed, she began to edge in
toward the coast and her capture or de-
struction was assured. As she struck
the beach her flag came down, and the
Brooklyn signalled Cease firing" fol-
lowing with Congratulations for the
grand victory, thanks for your splen-
did assistance"
The Brooklyn sent a boat to her and
when the admiral came up with the
New York and Texas and Vixen she
was taken possession of.
l cannot speak in too high terms of
the bearing and d of all on board
this ship. When they found the Oregon
had pushed to the front and was hur-
rying to a succession of conflicts with
the enemy's vessels, II they could be
overtaken and would engage, their en-
thusiasm was intense.
AS these vessels were so much more
heavily armored than the Brooklyn,
they might have concentrated upon and
overpowered her, and consequently ]
am persuaded "a but for the way the
officers and men of the Oregon steamed
and steered the ship and fought and
served her batteries, the Colon and
perhaps the Vizcaya would have es-
capped. Therefore 1 feel that they rem
dered meritorious service to the coun-
try, and while 1 cannot mention the
name of each officer and man individ-
ually. l am going to append a list OF
the officers with their stations that they
occupied, hoping hat IL may be OF
service to them should claims of 9TH
ers for advancement above them Eve
he considered.