The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-10
SIEGE IF SANTIAGO
Awful Destruction Wrought
by American Battleships.
BATTERIES ARE SILENGED.
Terrific Bombardment by the
Warsl1ips at Santiago.
IOWA OPENS THE ENGAGEMENT.
Double L'ne of American Ships Advance
to Destroy the Fortifications.-N New
York Loads Oue Column Near
Morro, the Brooklyn Charges
Estrclla and CatsIiuae

Estrclla and Cats(inaS
ON BOARD TIE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT DANDY, OFF SANTIAGO
DE CUBA, June 6.-(Nia Kingston ia
maica, June S.)-The fleet formed in
double column six miles off Morro castle
at 6 o'clock in the morning and steamed
slowly 5000 yards off shore, the Brook
lyn leading, followed by the Marble
head, Texas and Massachusetts,, and
turned westward.
The second line, the New York lead
ing, with the New Orleans, Yankee,
Iowa and Oregon following, and turned
westward. The Vixen and Suanee
were far out on the left flank, watch
ing the troops on shore. The Dolphin
did similar duty on the right flank. The
line headed by the New York attacked
the new earthworks near Moro castle.
The Brooklyn column took I'D station
opposite the tstreIla and Catalina bat
teries and the new eagthworlzs along
the shore The Spanish batteries re-
manned silent. 1t is doubtful whether
the Spaniards We're able to determine
the character of the movement, owing
to the dense fog and heavy rain which
were the weather features this morn
ing.
Suddenly the Iowa fired l2.inch
shell. W h ch struck the base of Estrella
battery and tore up the works. In.
stantly firing began from both Rear
Admiral Sampson's and Commodore
Schley's columns and a torrent of shells
from the ships fell upon the Spanish
works.
No Squadron Maneuvering.
The Spaniards replied promptly, but
their artillery work was of very poor
quality, and most of their shots Went
wild. Smoke settled around the ships
ln dense clouds, rendering accurate aim
ing difficult. There was no maneuver-
ing OF the fleet, the ships remaining at
their original stations and firing stead
lily. The squadrons were so close in
shore that it was difficult for the Amer
lean gunners to reach the batteries on
the hilltops, but their firing was excel
lent. Previous to the bombardment,
orders were issued to prevent firing on
MORO, as the American admiral had
been informed that Lieutenant Hobson
and other prisoners OF the Merrimac are
confined there. In spite of this, how
ever, several stray shots damaged MORO
castle somewhat. Commodore Schley's
line moved closer in shore. tirirg at
shorter range.
The Brooklyn and Texas caused wild
havoc among the Spanish shore bat
teries, quickly silencing them. While
the larger ships were engaging the
heavy ba res, tle Suane an the
Vixen closed with the small 1nsA, re
battery opposite them, raining rapid fire
shots upon it and quickly placing the
battery out of the fight
The Brooklyn closed to 500 yards, and
then the destruction caused by her guns
and those of the Marblehead and Texas
was really awful. In a few minutes
the woodwork of Es'rela fort was burn
Ing and the battery was silenced, firing
no more during the engagement.
Eastward the New York and New
Orleans silenced the Cavo battery in
quick order, and then shelled the earth.
works located higher up. Later the
practice was not so accurate, owing to
the elevation Of the guns Many of the
shells, however landed and the Span
ish gunners retired.
Shortly after 8 o'clock the firing
ceased, the warships turning in order
to permit the use Of the port batteries.
Ihe firing then became long reverb.
Grating crash of thunder and the shells I
raked the Spanish batteries with ter
rible effect. Fire broke out in Catalina
fort and silenced the Spanish guns. The
firing of the feet continued until 10
O'Clock, when the Spanish ceased en-.
tirely and Admiral Sampson hoisted
the cease firing signal. Generally
the fire of the fleet was very destruc-
tive. Many of the earthworks were
knocked to pieces and the Estrella and
Catalina Notifications We're so damaged