The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-11
SINKING OF THE SPANIARDS.
OFFICIAL STORY OF THE CHASE
AFTER CERVERA's SHIPS.

ed "A Tug Coming out of Santiago
HRrbOr When the First Ship APP
penred-Examinntio Soon Proved
the Vessel TO BE "A Cruiser-FrOm
That Time on the Firing Was
Fast and Furious TIL the End.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
OFT Santiago de Cuba, July 9. via Port
Antonio, jam, July 9, 8 p. m-Followlng
is the official account of the engagement
with the Spanish squadron, as seen from
the United States steamer Vixen:
AT 9;45 a. m. the quartermaster on duty
reported that a tug was coming out Of
the harbor. Examination proved the YES
sci to be a Spanish cruiser flying a large
Spanish flag and a smaller flag at the
mast head, which was thought TO be the
admiraFs flag, as it was on the leading
ship.
1.-The Vixen at this time was lying about
two miles off shore, and four miles to the
westward of Moro Castle, and from this
time to the end was never out of sight of
the chase and was within two miles of the
destruction of the three armored cruisers
WORD was at once sent to the COM
handing officer, and all hands Were called
to quarters. Full speed was ordered, end
the helm was put to port to stand fur
Their off shore and leave the Brooklyn's
fire line unobstructed. The Brooklyn had
hoisted a signal that the enemy was at
tempting to escape, and the Vixen, noticing
that the leading ship was turning to the
westward signalled that the enemy was
attempting to escape in that direction.
1.-THE feet at this time had resumed Its
station and the vessels began rapidly to
close in toward the mouth of the harbor,
concentrating a terrific long-range fire
upon the enemy.
There was no doubt that the enemy
was coming out. There were several anx-
ious moments before it could be deter
mined whether the Spanish admiral would
order his fleet to dispense and attempt 10
break through the blockadlng squadron,
or would keep his ships together.
THE leading vessel had changed her
course to the west, when a second vessel
appeared, followed shortly by the Cristo-
bal Colon.
THE Colon was easily identified, because
her mast was between her two smoke
stacks The other ships could not so
easily be identified, as the Vizcaya. the
Almirante Oquendo and Infanta Maria
Teresa had the same appearance.
Meanwhile, the fleet approached the
mouth of the harbor, and when the fourth
vessel appeared and turned to the west it
became evident that Admiral Cervera had
al
west as the weakest part of the blockade,
because the strong eastern current had
drifted the ships out of their customary
positions.
THE western portion of the blockading
circle was defended by the Vixen and the
Brooklyn. The Brooklyn headed north,
apparently intending to intercept the head
of the enemy's column.
"As the leading ships of the enemy's
column appeared, the western battery
opened a heavy fire, apparently directed
at the eastern and Genital ships of the
blockading squadron.
"At 10 a. m. the Brooklyn was nearest,
and engaged the two leading ships, which
were close together, with an interval of
three-quarters of a mile between the sec
ond ship and the Cristobal Colon.
"At 1905 the Brooklyn turned with a
port helm, making a complete turn to the
east so that she was again heading west
The enemy's beading ships were on her
starboard quarter, and the fourth vessel
was coming up rapidly astern. At this
time the Vixen was west of the leading
ship and was steaming on a parallel
course
For the next 10 minutes the BROOKLYN
received and returned the fire of the two
leading ships, and an occasional shot from
the Cristobal Colon
cat 1870 the chase was well formed
the positions being as follows: The en-
emy's ships In column between Cabanas
and Guayacabo, the Brooklyn steering
parallel course a mile distant with the
Oregon two miles southeast The other
American vessels were obscured by the
smoke.
cat 1878 the Colon and other leading
ships of the enemy were together tust
clear of the Brooklyn's bow as viewed
from the Vixen, the Cristobal Colon Gain
ing speed and closing up. Il was appar-
ent that the leading vessel was disabled
and on fire, as she dropped rapidly astarn.
"She apparently headed for the shore,
off Gonzales.
''The Oregon, forging ahead. capitauy
engaged the fourth ship. AS she passed
two smaller Spanish vessels, probably the
Furor and Pluton, to the westward Of
Cabanas engaged the Iowa and the Tex
as, though apparently on fire.
but the leading vessels were too far
to the west to be identified accurately.
1.-THE Indiana was in sight a little to
the west of Moro Castle.
"At 1924 the Crislobal Colon was still
gaining and was reserving her fire. At
this moment the only American vessels
seen from the Vixen were the Brooklyn.
Oregon, Texas and Iowa. the last named
six miles behind the Oregon.
THE Indiana was four miles astern of
the Iowa.
"At 1927 the Cristobal Colon and other
ships resumed the heavy fire. The second
vessel was five miles from the Vixen
The Oregon was gaining rapidly on the
Cristobal Colon, which was using smoke
less powder
1.-The enemies fire was very high and
many of their shots passed over the
Brooklyn, falling close to the Vixen, a
piece of shell tearing the flag at her main
mast.
AT 10:47 the Brooklyn forged ahead and