The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-27

came under my observation during the
engagement with the Spanish fleet on
July 3, 1898.
Second-At 9.35 a. M, Admiral Ger
vera, with the Infanta Maria Teresa.
Vizcaya, Oquendo, Cristobal Colon and
two torpedo boat destroyers, came out of
the harbor of Santiago de cuba in
column at distance and attempted to
escape to the westward. Signal was made
from the Iowa that the enemy was coming
out, but this movement had been discoy-
cred from this ship at the same moment.
This vessel was the farthest west, ex-
cept the Vixen, i'm the blockading line: sig
nal was made to the western division as
prescribed in your general orders. and
there was immediate and rapid move
ment inward made by your squadron. and
a general engagement at ranges beginning
at LOO yards and varying 10 Co., until the
Vizcaya was destroyed about 1850 a. m.
''The concentration Of the fire of the
squadron upon the ships coming out was
most furious and terrific and great dam
age was done them.
"Third.-About twenty or TWENTY-FIVE
minutes after the engagement
began two vessels thought 10
be the Teresa and Oduendo.
and since verified as such. took fire from
the effective shell fire of the squadron. and
were forced 10 run on the beach, some six
OF seven mics west OF the harbOr en-
trance, whore they burned and blew up
later.
The torpedo boat destroyers were de-
strOyed early in the action, but the smoke
was so dense in their direction that can
not say to which vessel or vessels the credit
belongs. This doubtless was better seen
from your f1aghiD.
"Fourth.-The Vizcaya and Colon.
pereeiving the disaster to their
fWasas
to the westward to escape, and
were followed and engaged in a running
fight by the Brooklyn, Texas, Iowa and
oregon, until 1919, when the Viz
caya took fire from our shells. She
put her helm TO port and with a heavy
list to port stood in shore and ran aground
at Asseradores, about twenty-one miles
west of Santiago on fire fore and aft. and
where she blew up during the night
observing that she had struck her col
ors, and that several vessels were nearing
her 70 capture and save the crew, signal
was made 10 cease firing.
THE Oregon having proved vastly fast
er than the other battleships, she and the
Brooklyn, together with the Texas and
another vessel, which proved to be your
flagship, continued westward in pursuit of
the Colon which had run close in shore
evidently seeking some good spot TO beach
If she should fail 10 elude her pursuers.
"Firth-This pursuit continued with in
creasing speed in the Brooklyn, Oregon
and other ships, and soon The Brooklyn
and the Oregon were within long range
of the Colon, when the Oregon opened
fire with her l3-inch guns. landing a shell
close to the Colon. moment afterward
the Brooklyn opened fire with her S-inch
guns, landing shell just ahead Of her.
Several other shells were fred at the
Colon. now in range of the Brooklyns
and Oregons guns
Her commander seeing all chances Of
escape cut off and destruction awaiting
his ship fired a lee gun and struck her
flag at 1915 D. m, and ran ashore at
point some fifty miles west Of Santiago
harbor.
your flagship was coming up rapidly
at the time, as was also the Texas and
Vixen. A little later, after your arrival,
the Cristobal Colon, which had struck to