The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-13
BOHBARDING SANTIAGO.
IlOW Eaemy's Guns We're SiIeaeed
by American Fleet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHIEF WAR
EVENT OF LAST WEEK.

A dmiral Cervera's Ships Did Not Show
Themselves During the Action-Firlng
ing Continued Until After Replies Had
Ceased.
Copyright, 1898, the Associated Press
Off Santiago de Cuba, June 6, Monday
u p. No. via Kingston, JAM, June z,
1uesday-(Delayed in transmission. y
The fleet commanded by Rear Admiral
Sampson bombarded and silenced the
batteries at Santiago de Cuba this morn
Ing Not one of our ships was hit and
no casualties occurred Oh our side. The
enemy's fire was irregular and badly
directed. The mbardment lasted from
7.45 a. m. until 2 p. m. and it's object
was fully accomplished.
| Admiral Cervera's ships did not show
themselves. Frequent pauses in the
firing occurred on account of theSsmoke
hanging over the land. 1t is believed
that the enemy's Notifications were Sc
verely damaged.
Admiral Simpsons order was as fol-
flows: ~ g&
Omitted States Flagship New York,
first rate, off Santiago de Cuba, June 5,
1898. -
Preparations will be made to engage
the batteries on Monday morning, June
their breakfast at 6. 30 and the divisions
should be ready to form at O'Clock
When the preparations signal 10 is made
1.-The ships will form south of the MORO
as follows:
| "The western column, heading north,
the Brooklyn, Marblehead, Texas and
| Massachusetts,.
the New York, Yankee, New Orleans,
| Oregon and Iowa.
when the signal of execution, IS, is
made, the columns will move ahead.
The commander of each division will
make such signals as may be necessary
to bring his division into the position
| marked on the accompanying drawing,
forming on the circle drawn at 5000 yards
from the eastern and western batteries,
one column heading in northwesterly
and the other in northeasterly direction.
This will be best accomplished by chang
ing the direction of the columns, the
easterly column to the northeastward and
the westerly column to the northwest
ward, running in these direction until
south of the indicated positions; then
heading all vessels Of the division north,
simultaneously turning again into COL
umn when the distance of 5000 yards is
reached.
Vessels will be 400 yards-,apart and
will retain their positions, the westerly
columns using the starboard battery and
| the easterly column the port battery. r.
| ION the signal from the commander
in chief both columns will open fire, or
| fire will be opened in case the enemy be-
| gins. 81
Bearings will be taken carefully and
| distances obtained with all practicable
accuracy.
1.-THE Dolphin will take a position to
the eastward and Suwanee and Vixen
| to the westward as shown on the plan,
for the purpose of looking after any mus
kerry fire from the shore.
1.-THE fire will be deliberate and contin-
ued until the batteries are silenced or an
order to cease firing has been made.
Every respectfully,
"Rear Admiral q. s. N, Commander
| in.Chief U. S. N. force, Atlantic Sta
tion.'
This order was carried out in most of
| its details The crews on the New York
went to the general quarters at 6. As.
There was some delay in getting the
ships into position. A light breeze was
The New York steamed at the head of
the easterly column. At 7.20 while ST.
| Mailing to the ships to close up was in
progress, Admiral Sampson leaning over
| the rail of the forward bridge and asked
Lieut.. Marble in charge Of the forwsrd
S-inch turret what he could see from
the turret's site. The lieutenant replied
~ can see yellow earth. but cannot see
the guns yet, sir. 3"
The New York went ahead slowly
closely followed by the Yankee and the
New Orleans, Iowa and Oregon some way
behind, in westerly direction.
A small battery, two miles west of Nor
70 castle, which the New York was ap.
preaching, seemed to be firing with
nailed to come close and attend to this.
| By 7SS number of guns could be seen
sticking out over the yellow emplaoe-
ments, on the eastern battery, which is
on the ridge of hill a quarter of mile
| from Moro.
A ships went right half turn until the
New York's port battery was brought to
| bear On these emplacements.
At 40 the signal to commence firing
was hoisted and few seconds later the
New York's big guns roared out. On
her starboard quarter the YanKee. with
the naval reserve crew, and the New Or
leans followed suit.
| LILO pIlAS Wds rdplu anu ldlTly Boou.
Great dust clouds flew up ON the hill
sides. The Oregon and the Iowa were
still rather far out, while the New York
was close in shore, firing at 1000 yards
range.
| The westerly column was almost cut
out of sight at the western batteries.
Smoke began to hang over the shore
and several times the firing was ordered
to stop until the smoke cleared away.
The men waited for the shrek of the
enemy's shells, but they were seldom
| heard.
Out where the Iowa lay, rising juts of
water occasionally showed where the
| enemy's fire was directed.
On the starboard bow of the New York
was small railroad trestle close to a
| little battery. A freight train was seen
going In the direction of Santiago de
| Cuba. When it came to the eastern end
OF the trestle it stopped, as If afraid to
cross. Then, with smoke pouring from
the engine, it flew across the trestle and
was lost to sight behind cliff before a
| ShOt Cnuld y>aa oh IL