The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-08

ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS DISPATCH BOAT DANNY OFF
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Monday (noon)
via Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday June
(poon) The American feet this morn
ing engaged the Spanish batteries de-
Tending the entrance of the harbor OF
Santiago De Cuba and after a three
hours bombardment. silenced nearly all
the forts. destroyed several earthworks
and rendered the Estrella and Cavera
batteries, the two principal Notifications
useless.
The feet formed in double column six
miles off Morro Castle at o'clock In the
morning and steamed slowly three thou
sand yards off shore. the Brooklyn lead
ing followed by the Marblehead, Texas,
and Massachusetts and turned westward.
The second line, the New York leading
with the New Orleans. Yankee. Iowa and
oregon following, turned westward.
The Vixen and Suwanee were far out on
the left fank, atching the rifemen on
shore The Dolphin and Porter did simi-
lar duty on the right flank.
The line. headed by the New York at
tucked the new earthwOrks near MORO
Castle. The Brooklyn column took up a
station opposite the Estrella and Vatalina
batteries and the new earthworks along
the shore
The Spanish batteries remained silent.
IT is doubtful whether the Spaniards were
able to determine the character OF the
movement, owing TO the dense fog. and
heavy rain which were the weather fea-
lures this morning.
This morning suddenly the Iowa fired a
i2-inch shell which struck the base OF
Estrella batteries and tore up the works.
Instantly firing began from both Rear
Admiral Simpsons and Commodore Sch
ley's columns and a torrent Of shells from
the ships fell upon the Spanish works
The Spaniards replied promptly but their
artillery work was Of a very poor quail
ity. and most OF their shells went vide.
Smoke settled around the ships In dense
clouds rending accurate aiming difficult.
There was no manouvering of the fleet,
the ships remaining at their original sta
tions and firing steadily.
The squadrons were so close IN shore
that II was difficult for the American
eunners 10 reach the batteries on the
hill tops but their firing was excellent
Previous 10 the bombardment, orders
were issued 10 prevent firing on Moro
castle, as the American Admiral had
been informed that Lieutenant Hobson
and the other prisoners OF the Mercimac
are confined there. In spite OF this, how
ever, several stray shots damaged Morro
Castle somewhat.
Commodore Schleys line moved closer
IN shore, firing at shorter range. The
Brooklyn and Texas caused havoc among
the spnish shore batteries, quickly ST.
lenclng them. While the larger ships were
engaging the heavy batteries, the Su-
vance and the Vixen closed with the
small inshore battery opposite them, rain
ing rapid-hre shots upon It and quickly
placing the battery out OF the fight
The Brooklyn closed to eight hundred
wards. and then the destruction caused
by her guns an dthose Of the Marblehead
ana Texas was really awful. In a few
minutes the woodwork OF Estrella fort
was burning and the battery was silenc-
ed firing no more during the engage
ment.
leans sllenced the Cavera battery in quick
order and then shelled the earthworks
located higher up. Later the practice was
nor 80 accurate. owing 10 the elevation
NJ the guns. Many 0f the shells. how
ever landed, and the Spanish gunners
ehortlv after 9 the firing ceased. thu
,,arshins turning an order 20 permit th'
use of port batteries. The firing thef
necome a long. reyerberating crash o
thunder and the shells raked the Spanish
batteries with terrible eject. Fire broke
out in tho Catalina fort and silenced th'
Spanish guns.
The firing Of the feet continued unit
IN O'clock when the Spanish fire ceased
entirely and Rear-AdmirA Sampson
SoI.fed the cease firing" signal:
Generally, the firing OF tho fleet wa;
very destructive
Many OF the .earthworks were knocked
co pieces. and the Estrells and Catalina
fortlneations were 30 damaged that Il II
suastienabis whether they wili ever b