New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-17
DESTROYING SANTIAGO FORTS
SHIPS RENEW BOMBARDMENT.
DYNAMITE CRUISER VESCyIUS THROWS
GUN-COTTON OVER HILLS TO
THE BAY

On Board the Associated Press Dispatch Boat
Dauntless, off Santiago de Cuba June 16. noon.
via Kingston. Jamaica. June 16. D. m.-Rear-
Admiral sampson's fleet bombarded the batteries
at Santiago de Cuba for the third time at day.
light this morning. For hours the ships pound
ed the batteries at the right and left Of the en-
trance. only sparing FL MORO. where Lieutenant
Hobson and his companions Of the Merrimac
in prison
The western batteries. against which the main
assault was directed. were badly wrecked. One
was utterly destroyed. In others many guns
were dismounted
AT first the Spaniards replied passonately and
wildly but impotenty. Most Of the guns were
deserted. Not a ship was struck ncr a man
injured the American side. 1t is believed
that the enemys loss Of life was heavy.
AS a preliminary to the hammerng given the
batteries his morning the dynamite-cruiser
Vesuvius last night at midnight was given
other chance. Three jO-pound charges Of gum
cotton were sent over the Notifications at the
entrance The design to drop them in the
Bay around the angle back OF the eminence
on which FL Moro is situated, where it is known
that the Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers were
lying.
TRIED TO DESTROY DESTROYERS.
Two charges went true. as no reports were
hcard-a peculiarly of the explosion Of gum
cotton in water Whether the destroyers were
demolished Is not known, but the destructive
area OF guncotton is large and 1t will not be
surprising II ii is subsequently ascertaned that
one or both were destroyed.
The third charge exploded with terrific yio-
ence on Cayo Smith From where the fleet lay
the entrance to the harbor looked in the black
night like door opening to the fire Of a fur
mace. crater big enough to hold church
was blown out Of the side OF Cayo Smith. and
was clearly from the ships this morning
Admiral Sampson issued the orders for the
bombardment last night. Coffee was served to
the men at $50 this morning. and with the first
blush OF dawn the men were called quietly to
quarters. The ships steamed in five knot speed
to a 30O0-yard range when they closed up.
broadside on.
Thes hips were strung out in the form NJ a
crescent. the heavy lighting ships in the centre.
the flagship the right flank, and the Massa-
chusctts the eft flank.
REMAIN STATIONARY WHILE FIRING
The line remained stationary throughout the
4 bomhardment. The Vixen and the Scorpion took
up places on opposite fanks close IN shore
for the purpose Of enlllading any infantry that
might fire upon the ships
When the ships got in position It was still too
dark for any firing The Admiral sigralled the
ships not to fire until the muzzes Of the enemy's
guns in the embrasures could he seen by the
gun captains
Fifteen minutes later, at 3 % a. ni the New
York opened with broadside from her main
battery. at the works on the east OF the entrance
70 the harbor. All the ships followed with
streaks OF flame The fleet. enveloped in smol:s
pelted the hills and tore Up dirt and masonry.
II was a magnificent spectacle from where tho
Dauntess lay.
Though the gun captains had been cautioned
not TO waste ammunition. but to fire with de-
was an almost continuous report. The meas
ured crash Of the big 13-inch guns Of the bat
tle-ships sounded above the rattle OF the guns
OF the secondary batteries like thundercaps
above the din Of a hurricane.
strong land breeze of the shore carried the
smoke Of the ships seaward. while 1t let down
a thick curtain from the Spanish gunners.
sPANIARDs' WILD GUNNERY.
The Spaniards responded spiritedly at hrst,
but their frenzied half-crazed fire could not
match the cool. skilled gunnery Of the Afnen-
cans Our fire was much effective than
in preceding bombardments
The Admirals ordnance expert had given ex-
plicit directions to reduce the powder charges
and TO elevate the guns. as to shorten the
trajectory and thus to secure plunging fire.
As the shells In the preceding bombardments
dropped with the almost straight traJectories Of
protectiles with full charges. 1t was almost i'm
possible to plant them. They would shoot into
the air. encircling the batteries owing TO the
high elevation and fall far the fortifica-
tions. The effect Of the reduced charges was
marvellous In fifteen minutes one western bat
terry was completely wrecked. The Massachu-
setts tore a gaping hole in the emplacement
with a 1,OOO-pound projecte. and the Texas
dropped shell into the powder magazine.
The explosion wrought terrible havoc. The
frame was lifted, the sides were blown out and
a shower of debris flew In every direction. One
timber. carried out OF the side OF the battery.
went tumblng down the hill. The loss or iife
must have been heavy
upECKING TILE EASTERN BATTERIES