The evening times., 1898-07-11
FROM SPANISH LIps.
A Captain On the Maria Teresa Tells
OF the Naval Disaster.

Captain On the Maria Teresa Tells
OF the Naval Disaster.
New York. July 1.-THE second cap
tain Of the Spanish .cruiser. the Maria
Teresa. has related to correspondent of
the Herald the following story of the at
tempt Of Cervera's feet to escape:
Our plan for escape was well arrang-
ed. but better formulated than executed.
We had arranged to force our way out
on Saturday night, and the Maria Te-
resa was to have led. But. contrary to
our expectations. the searchlights Of
your ships did not illumine the channel
that night, as had been usual, and with
out that light wef1were unable to discern
the wreck Of the ,Merrimac. so we could
not go out. You know how we came out
the next morning-aunday. that was.
Great crowds were, expected to come
down to the whraf to, see US depart, but
the American troops were pushing the
city too hard in. front and there were
none to see us of. Our orders were to
steam at full speed to the westward after
clearing the harbor and concentrate our
attack on the Brooklyn. paying no at
tentiOn TO any of the other ships unless
they forced VI to attack them.
So. In the morning. they signaled to
us from the battery chat only the Texas
and the Brooklynhwete on the westward,
and We got under way. the Maria Teresa,
being the flagship. taking the lead. We
opened fire on the Brooklyn, and the
Texas answered 1t, but her shot fell
short. Otherwise she would have struck
us. for 1t was straight line shot. The
brooklyn and the Iowa then fred, bur
neither shot hit. Again the BROOKLYN
and the Texas fired. The BrOoklyn's
shell went into the admirars cabin, and
exploding. set fire TO the after part of
the ship. The shell from the Texas pierre
ed our side armor and exploded in the
engine room, bursting the main steam
pipe We signaled 10 the engineer to
start the pumps. but got no reply. and
then found that all below in that part
OF the ship had been killed. At that time
II was like hell on our bridge. Shells
were bursting all around u.s. and the
ship's hull was being riddled below
The captain turned to me and said:
Sir. do pou think II best to continue the
hopeless fight. or. for the sake Of hu-
manity and to save hfe. should we not
beach the ship? Many Of our guns are
dlsmounted. and our engines are Grip
pled.'
Sir, l replied. we are unable TO fieht
longer. Let us beach the ship
Then, as i said that. shell struck
our captain His last words were to haul
down the coiors. The American fire was
so fierce. and their shells were bursting
around us so fast and making SO much
smoke. that the Americans could not see
that the flag was down. and continued
nring- l sent below for a blanket, and
as soon as that was run up the firing
ceased.
Meanwhile, the vizcaya had run be-
tween us and the Texas. and was then
engaging three ships-the Brooklyn. Ore
gon and Texas. She made a desperate
but hopeless fight. Now that we have
learned that We lost between 500 and 1000
men. and the Americans lost only one
man. ii amazes me. 1t is Incredible We
cannot comprehend 1t. 1t does not seem
possible. And yet We must believe It,
Have We not seen with our own eyes the |
utter wrecks of our ships. and how yours |
were not hurt. even the smallest injury, |
that We could see
''1f you. had managed to escape. where |
would you have gone to Cienfuegos?"
BY no means. the officer replied. |
Our intention was to run to Havana.
raise the blockade there and enter the |
harbor.''
What will be the result Of the battle.' |
he Spanish commander was asked.
"Ah. do not know was the mourn
ful reply. Il hear now that the AmerI- |
cans intend to send fleet to my coun-
ry-that is my anxiety. My poor Spain
will be helpless against your attack. I
have seen what your ships can do and
<now our exposed cities will be destroy
ID" 4.
You Were. then. much impressed with |
he fire of the American ships?'i
We were all astonished by its amazing
'apidity' and deadiiness." was the frank
-eDIy