The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-08
No American Ship Hit and No AM
eriGan Injured.
CUBANS ATTACK THE CITY.
United States Troops May Have
Been Landed.

Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Press
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dandy, Off Santiago de Cuba, Mon
day Cnoon), via Kingston, Jamaica, Tues
day June T. (noon). 1.-The American fleet
this morning engaged the Spanish batteries
defending the entrance of the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba and after a three-hours
bombardmont, silenced nearly all Of the
forts destroyed several earthworks and
rendered the Estrella and Cave batteries
the two principal fortihcations, useless.
The fleet formed in double column,-six
miles off Moro castle at s o'clock in the
morning and steamed in slowly 5000 yards
off shore, the Brooklyn leading, followed
by the Marblehead, Texas and NIassachu-
sets, and turned westward.
The second line, the New York leading
with the New Orleans, Yankee, Iowa and
Oregon, following turned westward.
The Vixen and Suwanee were far out on
the left flank watching the rihemen on
shore
The Dolphin and Porter did similar duty
on the right flank
The line headed by the New York, at
tackled the new earthworks near Moro
castle.
The Brooklyn column took up a station
opposite the Estrella and Catalina bate
lies and the new earthworks along the
shore
The Spanish batteries remained silent
II is doubtful whether the Spaniards
We're able to determine the character of
the movement owing to the dense fog
and heavy rain, which were the weather
features this morning.
Suddenly the Iowa fired a Pinch shell,
which struck the base of Estreua battery
and tore up the works, Instantly firing
began ttom both Read Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley's columns and u
torrent of shells from the ships fell upon
the Spanish works
The Spaniards replied promptly 1T
their artillery work was of a very poor
quality and most of their shots wen.
wide. Smoke settled around the ships in
dense clouds rendering accurate aiming
difficult
There was no maneuvering of the fleet,
the ships remaining at their original sta
tons and firing steadily.
The squadrons were so close In shore
mat 1t was difficult for the American gun
ners to reach the batteries on the hill.
tops, but their firing was excellent.
Previous to the bOmbardment orders
We're issued 10 prevent firing on Moro
Castle, as the American admiral had been
informed that Lieut.. Hobson AMI the
other prisoners of the MerI mac are con-
fined there
In spite of this, however, several stray
shots damaged MORO Castle somewhat.
Commodore Schleys line moved closer
IN shore, firing at shorter range.
The Brooklyn and Texas caused havoc
amons the Spanish shore batteries, quick
ly silencing them.
WI hile the larger ships were engaging
the heavy batteries the Suwanee and the
vixen closed with the small inshore bat
terry opposite them, raining rapid-fite shots
on II and quickly placing the battery out
OF the fight
The Brooklyn closed TO 800 yards and
then The destruction caused by her guns
ana those of the Marblehead and Texas
was really awful.
In few minutes the woodwork of lEs-
trella fort was burning and the battery
was silenced, firing no more during the
engagement.
Shortly after 9 o'clock the firing ceased,
the walships turning in order to permit
the Use OF the port batteries.
lhe fhjne then became a long, rever-
beating crash of thunder and the shells
r3Led the Spanish batteries with terrible
effect
Fire broke out in the Catalina fort and
slenced the Spanish guns.
The firing of the fleet continued until 10
O'Clock, when the Spanish fire ceased en-
uici " and Rear Admiral Sampson hoisted
the cease firing signal.
Generally, the firing of the fleet was
very destructive. Many of the earthworks
We're knocked to pieces and the Estrella
and Catalina fortihcations were so dam
aged thai it is questionable whether they
VIII ever De able to renew any effective
work during the war.
After the feet had retired, the Spaniards
returned to some of their guns, and sent
Twelve shells after the feet. But no one
was injured.
One large shell fell close to the collier
Justin
Throughout the engagement no Amerl-
can ship was hit and no American was in
Jured.
II the Spaniards stuck to their guns and
all evidence Is to the contrary, their loss
must have been heavy.