The herald., 1898-07-27

not having the speed Of the other ships
were directed by me, In succession at about
the time the Vizcaya was beached, to drop
out of The chase and resume blockading
stations. These vessels rescued many
prisoners. The Vixen, finding that the rush
of the Spanish column would put her be-
tween two fires, ran outside of her own
column and remained there during the
battle and chase.
Gloucester's Great Work
Seventh-The skilful handling and gal
liant fighting of the Gloucester excited the
admiration of every one who witnessed 1t
and merits the commentator of the navy
department. She is a fast and entirely I'M
protected auxiliary vessel-the yacht Cor
sicana-and has battery of light rapid
fire guns. She was running about two miles
from the entrance to the eastward and i'm
mediately started out firing upon the large
ships Anticipating the appearance of the
Pluton and Juror the Gloucester was
slowed. thereby gaining more rapidly a
high pressure of steam, and when the de-
stroyerS came out she steamed for them
at full speed and was able to close to shor:
range, where her fire was accurate deadly
and of great volume. During this fight
the Gloucester was under the fire of the So
capa battery. Within twenty minutes from
the time they emerged from Santiago har-
Dor the careers of the Furor and Pluton
were ended and two-thirds of their people
killed. The Furor was beached and sunk
in the surf; the Pluton sank in deep water
a few minutes later. The destroyers prob
ably suffered much injury from the fire
of the secondary batteries of the Indiana,
Iowa and the Texas, and yet think very
considerable factor in their speedy de-
struction was the fire at close range of the
Gloucester battery. After rescuing the
survivors of the destroyers, the Gloucester
did excellent service in landing and secur-
ing the crew of the Infanta Maria Teresa.
Eighth-The method of escape attempted
by the Spaniards--all steering in the same
direction and in formation-removed all
tactical doubts or difficulties and made
plain the duty of every United States vessel
TO close in, Immediately engage and pur-
sue these ships. This was promptly and
effectually done.
As already stated, the first rush Of the
Spanish squadron carried 1t past number
Of the blockading ships, which could not
Immediately work up to their best speed.
but their ships suffered heavily in passing
The Infanta Maria Teresa and the Oquendo
were probably set on fire during the If
teen minutes Of the engagement. 1t was
afterward learned that the Infanta Mara's
fire main had been cut by one OF our first
shots and that she was unable to extingush
the fire. With large volumes OF smoke ris-
ing from their lower decks aft, these vessels
gave up both the fight and flight and ran in
on the beach-the Infanta Maria Teresa at
about 10:15 a. m. at Nina Nina, six and
one-half miles from Santiago harbor en-
trance, and the Almirante Oquendo at about
1890 a. m. at Juan Gonzales, seven miles
from the port.
Two Ships Still Ran for Safety
Ninth-The vizcaya was still under the
fire of the leading vessels; the Cristobal
Colon had drawn ahead, leading the chase,
and soon passed beyond the guns of the
leading American ships. The Vizcaya was
soon set on fire, and at 11:15 she turned in
shore and was beached at Acerrederos, fif
teen miles from aSntiago, burning fiercely
and with her reserve of ammunition on
deck already beginning to explode. When
about ten miles west of Santiago the Indi-
ana had been signaled to go back to the
harbor entrance, and at Acerrederos the
Iowa was signaled to resume blockading
station" he Iowa, assisted bly, the Erics-
son and the Hist. took off the crew Of the
Vizcaya, while the aHrvard and the Clou-
cester rescued those Of ths Infanta Maria
Teresa and Almirante Oquendo.
Daring and Gallant Conduct
This rescue of prisoners, including the
wounded, from the burning Spanish vessels
was the occasion of some of the most dar-
ing and gallant conduct of the day. The
ships were burning fore and aft, their guns
and reserve ammunition were exploding
and 1t was not known at what moment the
fire would reach the main magazines. In
addition to this heavy surf was running
just inside of the Spanish ships. But no
rish deferred our officers and men until
their work of humanity was complete.
Tenth-There remained now of the Span
ish ships only the Crstobal Colon, but she
was their best and fastest vessel Forced
by the situation to hug the Cuban coast, her
only chance Of escape was by superior and
sustained speed. When the vizcaya went
ashore the Colon was about six miles ahead
Of the Brooklyn and the Oregon, but her
squirt was finished and the 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 bridge Of the New York that all the
American ships were gradually overhauling
the chase: that she had no chance to es-
cape. At 1850 the Brooklyn and the Oregon
opened fire and got their range-the Ore
CONS heavy shells striking beyond her-and
at lilo she gave up without firing another
shot, hauled down her colors and ran ashore
at Rio Toruqino. forty-eight miles from
Santiago. Captain Cook Of the Brooklyn
went on board to receive the surrender.
While his boat was alongside came I'D in
the New York, received his report and
placed the Oregon In charge OF the wreck