The record-union., 1898-06-05

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she would be allowed to shoot Leaning
up against one OF the big guns in the
turret. Commodore Schley patted It
how would you like to try a few of
those on the fellow in the harbor?"
Captain Higginson and the officers
near him fairly jumped with delight.
VERY much, indeed" replied Captain
Higginson, expressively, and his COM
panions joined him.
81 am sure I could plunk her If we
get the range on her," said Lieutenant
Glanan, who had charge Of the big
pair in the forward turret.
WELL" said Commodore Schley, tell
your bullies that can't see there"
Then, still chewing his cigar, he stood
with his glasses in his hand, looking
toward the objective point. The men
from the secondary batteries who were
not busy proffted by the example, and
stood out on the open 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 south
west 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 by the Commodore, and
the ships Strengthened out
Fire when you are about 1000 or g.
600 yards" was the next order from
the Commodore, who stood on top or
the big 13-inch gun turret-
Lieutenant Potts called off the dis
tance to Lieutenant Sears, and when
800 yards was announced the Cristo-
bal Colon's stern and the bow of the
partly dismantled Reina Mercedes
showed in the harbor.
You can fire now," said the Commo-
dore to the semi-stripped Captain, who
stood unconcernedly in the open of the
great turret. Then the Commodore
stepped off the turret in order to avoid
concussion.
Let her go, Lieutenant" was heard
from the turret. Then there was
frightful roar, and AN immense half-ton
projectile, propelled by the explosion
of 800 pounds of powder, went flying
toward the mark. For three seconds
it flew along it's trajectory, and when 1t
dropped there arose a fountain of water
which for a. minute hid the Colon from
sight, while a ringing cheer went up
from the jackies on deck.
"a little short there. Try your other
little higher up" said the Commo-
dore, and elevated to 5000 yards, the
second big gun hurled a projectile tow
ard 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 entrance of the harbor
Of Santiago was closed out of vision
from on board the battleship.
BY this time the cruiser New Orleans
had come in range, and the forts were
opening a bloody fire from what are ev-
identity high-power modern guns. The
shells dropped thick and fast over or
short of the Massachusetts,, and the
American blue jackets jeered and
laughed at the bad aim Of the Spanish.
One very well put shot went close
through the upper works Of the Mas
sachusetts, but it did not hit anything,
and simply made a splashing in the
water on the other side of the battle
ship.
well, the Dagoes are getting lit
tie better" said a sailor. The remark
caused another waggish blue jacket TO
say "Oh, give them a year, and they'll
learn 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 hurting steel projectiles into
the harbor entrance. The forts Kept
up a perfect cannonade, and some OF
their shots were we'll aimed, so far as
the range was concerned, but they We're
not effective.
The Cristobal Colon opened fire with
her, big guns but the shells never once
came near the line, while it is believed
several Of the shots of the American
squadron damaged the Spanish war
ships.
After running a mile to the east
ward 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 warships delivered
one more round from their starboard
batteries, and drew out of the Span
iard's range, Commodore Schley saying
as he stepped to the quarterback: well,
we let them know we have some am
munition, and know their capacity fer
defense"
For half an hour after the ships had
passed a mile out of the range of the
shore batteries and the Cristobal Coon
the Spaniards kept up their fire, and
then 1t became known. by the place
ment Of the shot, that the enemy had
plotted neat little plan that might
have succeeded had there been good
gunnery The Colon had dropped
down the harbor into a position which
she occupied to act as bait. The MOD
ern gums on shore had found the range
of the place where the flying squadron
would have to lay in order to fire on
the Cristobal Colon, and had trained
their guns to play on that place. But
Commodore Schley beat taem at their
own game by going by it at ten knots
speed and firing on the fly.
The firing also disclosed the existence
of a new battery, mounted with ten
inch modern guns, just east of MORO
Castle, and it also revealed the fact
that two modern guns were mounted
to the rear of MORO.
Then it was seen that to the west Of
the entrance and opposite MORO Castle
are two batteries of earthworks, with
modern guns Still further back in
the harbor Cayo Smith has a modern
battery. Besides this the Reina Mer-
cedes has two loaded torpedo-tubes
| looking down the harbor, and as at one
place the channel is only 100 yards