New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
now SCHLEY'S MEN FOUGHT.
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST Al
TACK AT SANTIAGO.
,rorv,trn,. 1sas: The Associated Prex)

..S Press Dispatch-b boat Wanda, via King
,,r Jamaica June 3.-The hermetcaliy sealed
e.s. Of Spain. in the harbor OF Santiago de CUBA
ro, IFS first taste OF American gunpowder on
r,aedav afternoon. told in these dispatches
o,d IL was evidently not greatly 10 the liking OF
.,e standards, for with the big American war
-r,.s erine only two rounds from their largest
,rs ona Spanish ship was hit, and parts or me
,or+tscations were destroyed One 13-inch shell
,.orn the Massachusetts plunged into the deck
:. tho Reina Mercedes. the partly dismantled
enanish cruiser. and Killed elght Spahid'uS' W.
sides wounding many more.
.r,ar the discovery OF the fleet Of the enemy
. sunday. Commodore Schley waited forty
~. hours 70 see II they would venture out. No
-o,o,,sn. was made however. and on Tuesday
-,i,e The Commodore decided he would find
-. inst how far In the mouth OF the harbor
-. s,s,ish arnored cruiser Cristobal Colon was
,..o.sS appearances al different angles being
...-r deoeptive In addition 70 this, he was con-
ssan. that the forts would return his fire. and
.,s- IN that way the location o. the Spaniards
avs and the probable accuracy Of their aim
could bs determined.
4. 10 o'clock accompanied by Lieutenant
e..-s Lieutenant Wells and Ensign McCauley.
.rosths flag staff he boarded the yacht Vixen
"a was taken 20 the Massachusetts Up 10 the
.-s ~ his going on board. there was no init
-stion on the big battle-ship that she would
~ allowed 20 shoot. Leaning UP against one OF
one big guns In the turret. Commodore Schley
matted II with his hand and said
~yI,gg.nson how would you like 70 try few
q. these on that fellow in the harbor7"
CAPTAIN Higginson and the officers near him
fairly jumped with delight.
VERY much. indeed" replied Captain Hgein-
son
y an sure could PUNK her II We get the
range on her" said Lieutenant Glennan. who
had charge Of the big pair Of guns in the for
ward turret
LUNCHEON BEFORE THE FIGHT
well" said Commodore schley. tell your
suIlies that after they have finished their mid
day meal I Will let them have chance
The men were quickly told, and then there was
q -ousing cheer that might have been heard
ashore. After luncheon Commodore schley with
his staff. went forward and took UP position
near the coming tower. Lieutenant Sears at
n-ec,sely 1913 o'clock .ignalled TO the Iowa
Ard the Naw-Orleans TO swing into line and fol-
low the movements OF the flagship.
.,ral them 70 clear for action" said the Com
,,odo-e: and the signal had hardly been MADE
ont when cheer from each ship came over the
water.
tell them 20 get ready for firing and 60 10
quarters" added the Commodore
The men were al their guns in an instant
Fire only with the large guns get the range
=. ,,e chin IN rho harbor and hit her II you can
Rur don't fire at the forte The Ne"-orieans
nav try a Pew shots Moro for range
Those were the rest OF the Commodore or
ders The ships were ready to move in Wnen
Captain Higginson. preparing 10 go to MS hgh'-
ing station in the steel protected coming tower
said:
You had better step in the tower Conlnlo-
dore; you will be sure there.
NO" replied Commodore schley. ! want 10
see things I can't see there
Then. still chewing his cigar. he stood with
his glasses in his hands looking toward the
objective point The men OF the secondary bat
tertes who not busy profted by the ex-
ample and stood the open deck and watched
the firing Of the surs.
The three war vessels were then about six
miles from the entrance to the bay. The Cristo-
bal Colon could not be seen as she lay broad
sides on the narrow entrance or neck Inere
was but one place from which she could ne nre1
a. by the American ships. and the firing would
have 70 be done II the ships were moving In
two minutes.
THE FIRST ORDER TO FIRE.
Go ahead a. ten knots. northeast" was the
order issued by the Commodore, and the SHIPS
Strengthened out
Fire when YOU are at about 1J" yards
was the next order from the Commodore. VINO
then stood on top Of the big l3inch gun turret
Lieutenant Potts. with the stadimeter' too OF
the distances 70 Lieutenant sears, anc "heh
1900 wards was announced the Cristooa
color,s stem and the bow Of the partly dis
"a ~
Won can fire now" SAID the Commodore 10
the ser,i-stripped gun captain. who sat uncoh-
ceuedly in the opening OF the great turret. and
then the Commodore stepped on me tur1e' III
order TO avoid the conclusion.
"re. her 60 Lieutenant" was heard from
the -u-re, and then there was a frghtful roar
and an immense pro1ectile went flying TOWARD
IRE mark For three seconds II few along, ana
when II sropped there arose a fountain OF water
which for q minute hid the Colon from sish''
wbils 2 ringing cheer went up from the Jach'eS
on deck
"A little short there Try your other little
higher up." said the Commodore. and elevate
Il 10 s 600 wards The second big gun hurled
projectle toward the enemy
"A fair hit" cried the men the shell crashed
into he STEM ~ the Reina Mercedes and ex-
ploded
The Two a-ter-glns then spoke and after this
the entrance OF the harhor OF Santiago de Cupa
was closed out OF vision from board the oa'-
te-ship
By this time the cruiser New-Orieans hso
come in range. and the forts were opening
steady fire from what we're evidently hish-po"e'
modern guns The shells dropped thick anu
fast over or short Of the Massachusetts anu 'N'
American blue-jackets jeered and Laughed a,
the bad aim Of the Spaniards One very we"
put shot went close. through the upper "orhs
OF the Massachusetts. but IT did not MT any