Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-27
OF the New York.


of the more advanced one had blown up,
showing q vast column of condensed steam.
During this time the batteries, whose line
of fire We had crossed close to, repeatedly
fired upon US, but without effect. No re-
tLrn was made to this fire A shell from
the west battery fell within two hundred
yards of the ship when we were over four
niles to the westward and we had thought
ourselves entirely out Of range. This ship
stood on, leaving the Gloucester which
had shown herself so capable, to look after
the survivors in the torpedo boats. BY
this time second cruiser was ashore and
burning Uhe Almirante Oquendo), while
the third, the ViZcaya, and the Cristohal
Colon were still steaming rapidly west
ard The Indiana was now signaled
CLIPS a.m) to return to her blockadins
position. to look after anything which
might be there. Very shortly the Vizcaya
turned shoreward, smoke began to issue
from her after part, and by the time that
she was ashore the reef at Acerraderos
(ffteen miles west of Santiago she was
sblaze. The Iowa had signaled a little be-
fore that she had surrendered, and stopped
off this place, where she gave much assist
ance in the rescue of the Vizcaya's people.
f. This ship stood on in chase of the
Cristobal Colon, with ahead of us the
Brooklyn, Oregon, Texas and Vixen, the
Oregon being much nearer inshore of the
two headmost ships, but not in gunshot.
We were rapidly increasing our speed.
5. 1t was evident, however, that the
Colon would give us a lengthy chase, and
at noon the crew left quarters and went to
dinner.
g. About 1880 the Oregon opened fire.
and some of her shell were observed to
strike beyond the Colon; this made her
capture foregone conclusion, and shortly
after O'Clock she turned in toward shore
and soon struck her colors. She had been
beached at small inlet known as Rio Tor
quino By the time we arrived, boat was
alongside her from the Brooklyn, and Capt.
Cook, the boarding officer, came alongside
this and reported. This ship then sent a
boat to take possession, the commanding
officer going in the boat. / was received by
the commodore of the squadron. the cap
tain, Capt. de Navio Don Emilio Moreu
and Capt. de Navio of the first class Don
Jose de Paroles Y Chacon (Which latter
had been civil governor of Santiago and
had only just been attached to the
squadron). 1 arranged for the transfer Of
the crew and officers, division to each
ship present, and the engineer force to be
left aboard. While aboard, however, the
Resolute arrived and 1t was arranged to
transfer the whole number to her
z. 1 had taken with me the fleet surgeon
an engineer officer and the carpenter, ia
examine and make secure everything neces-
sary. The engineer officer reported to me
that she was making water aft. 1 had pre-
viously had soundings taken and found
eight feet at the bow and seventy at the
stern, so that but small portion of the
ship was ashore. I returned as quickly as
possible to the flagship to report the situa-
ton The Oregon was signaled to take
charge and the men were FASTENED on
board, number being sent also from this
ship. Our work of closing water-tight
doors, etc, was, however, of no avail; a
large number of sea valves had been
treacherousy opened and the valves SO
broken to make 1t impossible to close
them; the ship thus slowly settled At 7:3O
she came afloat and came out into deeper
water. The officer in charge Gieut. Com
mander CogswelDs had let go an anchor,
but as it was clear that IL she went down
in water of the depth in which she was
she could never be recovered, this ship's
stem was placed Hgainst her quarter and
later line being taken from our own bow
to hers, the Colon was forced inshore. 1t
was by this time dark, but using search
light we enabled gradually to force
the ship in on the beach, the chain being
paid out at the same time. She thus sank
in very moderate depth of water and it
is very probable she may be saved.
8. At IL pm. the flagship returned to
Santiago. leaving the Texas and Oregon in
charge of the prize
o. Though the ship was not able to come
to action with any ofsthe larger ships on
account of her distance to the eastward
every nerve was strained to do so and all
was done that could be done: our speed
had rapidly increased SO that we were GO
ing sixteen knots at the end. We were i'm
mediately astern, while all others were con-
sfderably TO seward. We We're thus in a
position to prevent a possible doubling to
the rear and escape to the southeast
10. The officers and crew, as they always
have done, acted in the most enthusiastic
and commendable manner. They have
worked into so complete a system that the
ship is practically instantaneously ready
for action, and while all are deserving of
commendation and credit, think it no
degradation from the, deserts of others to
particularly name Lieut.. Commander Pot
ter. to whom, as executive officer so much
Of the ships efficiency is due and Chief
Engineer McConpell, who has kept the ma
chinery in the admirable order which has
enabled us a. all times to develop the ships
full speed. Very respectfully
(Signed) f. e. CHADWICK.
Captain, U. 8. N, Commanding.
The Commander-in-Chief,
U. 8. Naval Force,