Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-27
CAPTAIN CLARK's REPORT.
Following is the report of Captain c. F.
Clark, of the Oregon:

FOllOWl Is tNe captain Z. r.
Clark, of the Oregon:
'u. S. s. Oregon, First Rate
'Of Santiago de Cuba, July T. 1895.
''Sir:-First-I have the honor to report
that at $50 a. m. yesterday the Spanish
feet was discovered standing out of the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba They turned
to the westward and opened fire, to which
our ships replied vigorously. For a short
time there was an almost continuous flight
of projectiles over this ship. but when our
line was fairly engaged and the Iowa had
made swift advance as If to ram or close.
the enemy's fire became defective in train
as well as range. The ship was only struck
three times and at least two of them were
by fragments of shells. We had no casual
ties.
'Second-As soon as it was evident that
the enemy's ships were trying to break
through and escape to the westward, we
went ahead at full speed with the de-
termination of carrying out to the utmost
your order: If the enemy tries to escape
the ships must close and engage as soon
as possible and endeavor to sink his ves-
sells or force them to run ashore We soon
passed all of our ships except the Brook
lyn. bearing the broad pennant of Com
modore Schley. At first We only used our
main battery. but when it was discovered
that the enemy's torpedo boats were fol-
lowing their ships We used our rapid-fire
guns. as we'll as the six-pounders, upon
them with telling effect. As We ranged up
near the sternmost of their ships she
headed for the beach. evidently on fire.
We raked her as We passed. pushing on
for the next ahead using our starboard
guns as they were brought to bear, and
before We had her fairly abeam she too was
making for the beach. The two remaining
yaSSels wera potu some distance aheaG hlIf
cur speed had increased to sixteen knots
and our fire, added to that of the Brook
lyn, soon sent another, the Vizcaya, to the
shore in flames. Only the Cristobal Colon
was left. and for a time it seemed as If
she might escape, but when We opened
with our forward turret guns and the
Brooklyn followed. she began to edge in
toward the coast and her capture or de-
struction was assured. AS she struck the
beach Ter flag came down and the Brook
!! lyn sfgnaled cease firing. following it
| with congratulations for the grand victory,
| thanks for your splendid assistance
''Third-The Brooklyn sent boat to her.
and when the admiral came up with the
New York and Texas and Vixen. she was
taken possession of. A prize crew was put
on board from this ship under Lieutenant
| Commander Cogswell, the executive officer
but before IL p m, the ship. which had
been filling in spite of all efforts to stop
leaks. was abandoned and just as the crew
| left she went over on her side.
| FOURTH cannot speak in too high terms
of the bearing and conduct of all on board
this ship. When they found the Oregon had
pushed to the front and was hurrying to a
succession of conflicts with the enemy S
vessels, if they could be overtaken and
would engage, their enthusiasm was in
| tense.
"Fffth-As these vessels were so much
more heavily armored than the brooklyn
they might have concentrated upon ano