The evening times., 1898-07-27
REPORT OF CAPT. TAYLOR.
The Passing of Cervern as Recorded
0n Board the Indiana.


U. s. S. Indiana. First Rate,
on Santiago de Cuba. July 4, 1898.
Sir: 1 have the honor to submit the
following report of the operations OF the
Indiana in the action of July 3, with the
Spanish squadron. off Santiago de Cuba
2. At 9:37 a. m, while the crew were
at quarters preliminary to general mus
ter. noted two guns fired from the Iowa,
and general signal. "Enemy's ships escap-
ing flying. At once cleared ship for ac-
ton. and the crews were at the guns in
remarkably short time; all officers and
men showing an aIacrity that indicated
clearly their pleasure at the opportunity
offered them.
emerging from the harbor, and in a few
moments a general action ensued. The
leading ship. which proved to be the In
fanta Maria Teresa, flying the flag OF Vice
Admiral Cervera, was followed by the
other vessels of the squadron as follows:
Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon. Oquendo. and
the torpedo-boat destroyers, Furor and
Pluton. The enemy's vessels headed to
the westward. and our ships headed In
the same direction. keeping as nearly
abreast Of them as possible.
HAS HICu oii VI thtiu as tuCy
came out one by one. and continued the
! action later by firing principally on the
Maria Teresa, Oquendo. Furor and Plu-
| ton. Several of our shells were seen to
take effect on these vessels. Our sec
ondary battery guns were directed prin-
cipally on the destroyers as also were
the 6-inch guns. The destroyers were
| sunk through the agency of our guns
and those of the Gloucester, which ves-
1 sal had and Ded cInaa
| aboard.
5. The initial fire of the last two ships
] was directed at this vessel. and although
| falling very close. only struck the ship
| twice without any injury to ship or crew.
& Our ranges were obtained by stadi
meter angles on Morro as the ships
| emerged. and then by angles on the tops
| Of the rear ships. The ranges were from
| 1900 to 5000 yards. observed from the top
From the bridge ! could see that our
| shooting was excellent and showed its
effect. One of our 1s-Inch shells was
seen to enter the Maria Teresa under the
quarterback and explode and that ship
| was observed on fire very shortly after
ward.
Z. About 19:15 a. m, observed the Maria
| Teresa and Oquendo on fire and heading
| for the beach. the fire from their guns
| having ceased. We then devoted our
| special attention to prevent the escape
| of the destroyers which appeared more
| than a match for the Gloucester. she be-
ing the only small vessel near to engage
| them. They were soon seen to blow up.
| apparently struck by our 6-inch and g.
Founders. We now fired our large guns
| at the Vizcaya which was at long range;
she made for the shore soon after. on
| fire, and battery silenced. These ships
| hauled down their colors as they made
for the beach. The Spanish flagship
hoisted the white flag as she grounded.
| s. We now ceased firing. The Colon was
observed we'll over the western horizon
closely pursued by the Brooklyn. Oregon
and Texas. off shore of her. The flagship
New York. steaming full speed to the
| westward as soon as the Vizcaya surren-
dered signaled US. Go back and guard
| entrance to harbor." Several explosions
| were observed on board the burning ships
| At noon turned and stood to the east
| ward for our station in obedience to the
| above signal. Observed the Harvard and
| several transports standing to the west.
| ward.
9. About 12:3o the Resolute came with
in hail and informed us bv megaphone
that a Spanish battleship was sighted tc
the eastward. standing toward US. Later
| the Harvard passed, confirming the in
formation. and adding that the ship was
| painted white. We made out the vesse
ahead and stood for her with our guns
| bearing. She proved to be the Austrian
! armored cruiser Kaiserin Maria Teresa
| She sent an officer on board and re-
| quested permission to enter the harbor
| referred him to the commander-in-
| chief. She then stood on to the west.
| ward and We resumed our station.
| TO- During this action We used no ar
NOR piercing shell. except the smokeless
] e.n and no M
the common shell Is shown by the fires OF
| the enemy's ships and the short time
| taken to disable them without piercing
| their armor, and with almost no injury
| to our ships.
| IL The guns and mounts worked well.
| only two failures of electric primers
noced.
L. During the afternoon sent boats with
surgeon on shore to the burning vessels
The boats returned. bringing one wound
| ed officer and seventeen men as prison.
| ers.
Is. Received also during the afternoon
and night prisoners from the Gloucester
| and His. in all seven officers and 2l7
men. who were today transferred to
| the st. Louis.
IL. The conduct of the officers and
crew was in every respect commendable;
| GOODNESS and good discipline prevailed.
| coupled with marked enthusiasm. This
! desirable condition Of affairs is largely
due to the efforts of the officers, and
desire to commend to the commander-in-
chief. the executive officer, Lieut.. Com
mander John A. Rodgers and all the
officers of the ship for the part taken
| by the Indiana in bringing about this
| great victory. and the complete destruc-
| tion of the enemy's squadron. - .-1-
Very respepctfully,
H. c. TAYLOR.
| Captain Commanding.
| The Commander-in-chief. U.s.. ). Naval
| Force on North Atlantic Station.
CAPT. J. W. PHILIP.
The Commander Of the Texas Tells
| OF the EngaRement.
| United States Ship Texas,
On Santiago. July 4. 1885,