The herald., 1898-06-05

located, appearances at different angles be-
ing deceptive. In addition to this he was
confident that the forts would return the
fire and in that way the location of the
Spanish guns and the probable accuracy of
their action could be determined.
At 10 o'clock, accompanied by Lieut..
Sears, Lieut.. Wells and Ensign McCauley,
all of the flag staff, the Commodore boarded
the yacht Vixen and they were taken to
the Massachusetts,. Up to the time of their
going on board there was no intimation on
the big battleship that she would be allowed
to shoot. Leaning up against one of the big
guns in the turret, Commodore Schley pat
ted it with his hand and said: "Higginson,
how would you like to try few of those on
that fellow in the harbor?'
Capt Higginson and the officers near
him fairly jumped with delight
Every much, indeed replied Captain
Higginson. expressively and his com
panions joined him. II am sure I could
plunk her if we got the range on her."
said Lieut.. Glanan, who had charge of the
big pair in the forward turret.
"Well," said Commodore Schley, tell
your bulles that I can't see there
Then, still chewing his cigar, he stood
with his glasses in his hand, looking to-
ward the objective point. The men of the
secondary batteries who were not busy
profited by the example and stood out on
the deck and watched the firing of the
guns. The three war vessels were then
about six miles from the entrance of the
| bay, to the southwest of 1t, where the
| Cristobal Colon could not be seen, as she
| lay broadside on to the narrow entrance
or nook. There was but one place where
| she could be fired at by the American
| ships. and the firing would have to be
done, If the ships were moving, in two
| minutes.
| go ahead at ten knots northeast" was
the order issued by the Commodore, and
the ships Strengthened out.
Fire when you are about 1000 or 5000
yards" was the next order of the Com
modore, who stood on top of the big 13-
inch gun turret.
| Lieut.. Potts called off the distance to
Lieut.. Sears, and when $500 yards was an
nounced, the Crstobal Colons stem and
the bow of the partly dismantled Reina
Mercedes showed in the harbor
"You can fire now," said the Commodore
|
unconcernedly in the open of the great tur-
ret. Then the commodore stepped off the
| turret in order to avoid concussion.
LET her go, Lieutenant" was heard
from the turret. Then there was fright
full roar and the immense half-ton projec-
tile, propelled by the explosion of 500 pounds
of powder. went flying toward the mark,
and when it dropped these arose fountain
| of xrbi biohf n mi, hi fI,a (soIo
from sight. while ringing cheer went up
| from the iackies on deck.
"a little short there. Try your other a
little higher up said the Commodore, and
elevated to 5000 yards, the second big gun
hurled projectile toward the enemy.
"a fair hit" cried the men, as the shell
crashed into the stem of the Reina
Mercedes and exploded. The two after
guns then spoke, and after this the en-
trance of the harbor Of Santiago was closed
out of vision from those on board the bat
| tleship.
| By this time the cruiser New Orleans had
come in range and the forts were opening
a steady fire from what are evidently high
power modern guns. The shells dropped
| thick and fast.
They fell short of or went over the Mass
laughed at the bad aim of the Spaniards
One very well put shot went close through
the upper works of the Massachusetts, but
it did not hit anything, and simply made a
splashing in the water on the other side
of the battleship.
"Well the Dagoes are getting little
better" said sailor. The remark caused
another waggish bluejacket to say:
| them q 70 ~,
| to shoot"
The long rifles of the New Orleans were
by this time playing tattoo on the low
lying forts near the entrance, so as to
draw their fire and ascertain their range.
and the Iowa's big 12-inch guns were hurl-
ing steel projectiles into the harbor en-
trance. The forts kept up a perfect can
nonade and some of their shots were well
aimed, SO far as the range was concerned,
but they were not effective.
The Cristobal Colon opened fire with her
bug guns. but the shells never once came
near the line, while 1t is believed several
of the shots of the Americans damaged the
Spanish warships.
| After running a mile to the eastward
the Massachusetts,, followed by the other
American warships, circled around and ran
back over very nearly the same course,
steaming west by SOUTH On getting near
the range where the firing opened, the war;
ships delivered one more round from their
starboard batteries and drew out of the
Spaniards' range, Commodore Schley say
ing, as he stepped to the quarter deck:
'Well, we let them know we have some
ammunition and know their capacity for
defense"
For half an hour after the ships had
passed mile out of the range of the
shore batteries and the Cristobal Colon.