The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-09-21
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
BATTLE LIKE THAT OF MALATE
FOUGHT BEFORE.
How Manila was Taken by a British
Fleet and Naval Brigade in a Nio-
lent Tropical Storm

The battle of Malate, which occurr-
ed at Manila on the night of July 81,
was in some respects Il repetition OF
history, a British s<irmish having oc-
Cured there under similar circum-
stances in 1862. Captain Isaac Schom-
berg of the British royal navy relates
the incident in his Historical Summa-
ry of Naval and Maritime Events,
which was published in 1899, as fol-
lows:
On the 23rd of September, 17G2, it
(the British feeD arrived i'm Manila
bay to the great surprise of the span
iards, who had not heard of the var
and were i'll prepared for so sudden
an attack. The next morning the city
was Intellectually summoned; it was,
therefore, resolved to make an imme-
date descent. The Argo. Seahorse and
Seaford, frigates, were ordered to an
Choir close in shore to cover the land
ing of the troops, which. i'm cours" of
the evening. was effected with some
difficulty under the direction of the
Captains, Parker. Kempenfeldt and
Brerton, through a most violent surf,
by which many of the boats were ell
dashed to pieces, a quantity of rms
and ammunition damaged; but, fortu-
natelv. no lives were lost The enemy
had collected in force to oppose the
landing, but the well directed and the
brisk cannonade from the frigates
soon compelled them to retire
The troops reinforced by Pa ma
rines, landed and formed on the beach
without molestation. On the Goth a
battalion composed of 632 seamen was
landed to cooperate with the army,
under the command of Captains Col
Inns. pitchford and Curry. On the
! goth. i'm order to divide the enemy's
attention and second the operations of
the army, the admiral ordered the
| Elizabeth and Falmouth to anchor as
close to the town as the depth of the
water would permit and to enflade
the part proposed to be attacked. Al
/ though the water was too shoal for
| the ships to approach near enough
I their shots had the desired effect,
throwing the inhabitants into the
/ greatest terror and confusion.
! On the LIST and 2nd of October it
| blew a most violent storm, attended
| by torrents of rain, which endanger-
ed the whole squadron. The South
Sea Castle storeship was driven on
shore, fortunately without being ma
terally injured, and in such a situa-
! ton as proved extremely useful; her
broadside enfiladed the beach and
| enabled her to land the intrenching
tools, stores and provisions with
which she had lately arrived. with
out molestation. BY the united eff
forts of the sea and land forces the
siege was carried on with the greatest
spirit and activity. The enemy made
several desperate attempts to storm
our batteries and intrenchments, but
were each time repulsed with dread
full carnage, as the forces they EN-
ployed in this service were mostly
composed of Indians, armed only Will
bows and arrows, who, with a savage
ferocity, rushed on the very muzzles
of our pieces and died like wild beast,
gnawing at the bayonets.
Subsequently the city was taken
and ransomed for $4.O0O.O00. only
100000 of which was, however. pait
into the treasury, as the Manilian'
agreed to surrender a treasure lader
ship-the Philippine having on boart
S3.000,000 in treasure and plate, pro
vided that they might be allowed t.
take out of her as much money az
would pay off the remainder due o
the ransom, but unfavorable weathe,
first and peace arrangements late
prevented the British fleet from seiZ
ing the Philipina. and neither the re
mainder of the ransom due nor thu
treasure in the ship agreed to be sur
rendered was ever secured.