The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-27

describes the manner in which the block
| AIDE OF the hs-bor was maintained. show
ing that II was Impossible for any OF
| Cerveras ships 10 escape without de-
lection.
rvorey night an American battleship
turned its searchlight on the channel
leading out Of the harbor.
Admiral Sampson continued as follows.
HARD TO DISCRIMINATE.
70. When all the work was done so well
f. Is difficult TO discriminate In praise.
The object Of the blockade OF Cervera' 5
SQUADRON was fully accomplished and
each Individual bore well his part I'm II.
The Commodore in command on the sec
ond division. the captains OF ships. their
officers and men. The fire Of the battle
ships was powerful and destructive and
the resistance OF the Spanish squadron
vas In great part broken almost before
they had got beyond the range OF their
own forts.
The hne speed Of tho oregon enabled
her TO take a front position in the chase
and .ne Cristobal Colon did not give mp
until the Oregon had thrown a lS-inch
shell beyond her.
4Als performance adds TO the already
brilliant record OF this fine battleship ana
speaks highly Of the skill and care with
which her admirable efficiency has been
maintained during a service unprecedent-
ed IN the history Of vessels Of her class.
ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION.
The Brooklyn westerly blOckading
position gave her an advantage in the
chase which she maintained 70 the end,
and she employed her fine battery with
telling effect The Texas and the New
York were gaining on the chase during
the last hour and had any accident be-
fallen the Brooklyn or the oregon. would
have speedily overhaul tho Cristobal
Colon. From the moment the Spanish
vessel exhausted her first burst Of speed
the result was never in doubt. She fell
In fact far below what might reasonably
have been expected OF her
Careful measurements Of time and dis
lance give her an average speed for the
time she cleared the harbor mouth until
she ran upon shore at Rio Tarquino OF
1871 knots.
Neither the New York nor Brooklyn
stopped 10 couple up their forward en-
gines. but ran out 10 the chase with one
pair. getting steam. Of course, az rap
IDLY rs possible on all boilers. To stop 70
couple up tho forward engines would
have meant a delay Of fifteen minutes
Of four miles in the chase.
SEVERAL WBRE STRUCK.
I-Several Of the ships were struck. the
BROOKLYN more often than the others bul
very slight material injury was done the
greatest being aboard the Iowa our
loss was one man killed and one WOUNDED
bofh on the Brooklyn II is difficult to
explain This immunity from loss Of life or
injury TO ships I'm a combat with modern
vessels Of the best types, but Spanish
eunnerv IS poor At best, and the supe-
rlor weight and accuracy Of our IRE
speedily drove the men from their guns
and snenced their fire. This IS borne out
by the statements OF prisoners and by
observation.
DID NOT FIRE LONG.
The Spanish vessels. as they dashed out
of the harbor. were covered with the
smoke from their guns. but this speedily
diminished IN volume and soon almost
disappeared.
The fire from the batteries Of the bait
ueships appeared 10 have been remarka-
bly, destructive. An examination Of the
stranded vessels shows that the Almi-
rante Oquendo especially suffered terribly
in the fire. Her sides are everywhere
pierced and her decks were strewn with
the charred remains Of those who had
fallen.
l5 The report % Commodore Schley
. ' A'ii'H"'t"ii5 '4iiNNt" "tr Ni4"t'r-@'
IS. h board appointed by me several
d.. @ agN has made a critical examination
of the stranded vessels both with a view
Of reporting upon the military features
involved. and reporting upon the chance
of saving any OF them and wrecking the
remainder THE report of the board will
speedily follow
Very respectfully
w. r. SAAfPTON.
Rcar-Admral T.. 5. Navy.
Commandcr-in-Chicf u. S. Navy Force.
North Atlantic Station.
To Secretary Of the Navy. Washington.
ID. q.