Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-29
SANTIAGO SEA FIGHT.
REPORT THEREON OF CAPTAIN
COOK, OF THE BROOKLYN.
SCHLETS SHIP LID THE CHASE.
COIOn's Surrender Made to Her
Commander, Who Was Sent to Re-
ceive 1t by the Maryland Commo-
dore-Sampson Appears Later.

dore-Sampson Appears Later.
| WASHINGTON, July 2s.-The Navy De-
partment to-day made public the follow
| ing report from Captain Cook, of the
| Brooklyn, on the destruction of Ger
! vera's fleet:
United States Steamer Brooklyn, First
Rate, at anchor Guantanamo Bay, July
| z 1SsS-Sir: l. At . A. M. July 90, gave
orders. and arrangements were made. for
| general muster at $3.50 A. VI. At $50 A.
| NJ the enemy were telegraphed by the
Iowa as coming out. At the same time
| they were discovered By the quartermas-
| ter on watch. n. Anderson, OF this ship,
| and reported to the officer OF the deck.
| The executive officer Lieutenant-C Com
mander Mason, who was on deck, about
to execute the order for general muster.
Immediately gave the order: Clear ship
for action, and general quarters Signal
was made at the same time: Enemy
coming out Action ! went Immediately
forward, stood for the enemy, and gave
orders to get steam in all boilers. We
started with steam in three boilers at
about twelve knots speed.
''2. The head of the Spanish squadron.
in column, was just outside the entrance
Of the harbor OF Santiago, heading about
southwest The Spanish squadron con-
sisted Of the Maria Teresa (lagship),
Vizcaya, Oquendo, and Colon, and two
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. We opened fire
on the leading ship in five minutes from
the discovery.
'3. The port battery was first engaged,
as we stood with port helm to head on
the leading ship and give them raking
fire at about 1900 yards range The enc
my turned TO the westward, to close IN
to the land. We then wore around to
starboard. bringing the starboard bat
terry into action. The enemy hugged the
shore to the westward.
THE BROOKLYN LED.
a. The Brooklyn, leading, was follow
ed by the Texas, Iowa, Oregon, Indiana,
and Gloucester. The Vixen, which had
been to the westward of us on the block-
ado. ran to the southwark and eastward
of u.s.. and kept for some time Off our
port side. distant about 1000 yards, evil
IDENTIFY intending to guard against tor
pedo attack upon this ship. The shells
passing over us fell very thick about her,
some passing over her. At this time the
firing was very fast and the whistlng OF
shell incessant, and our escape with SO
little injury was miraculous, and can only
be attributed to bad marksmanship on
the part Of the enemy. The Maria Teresa,
which had dropped astern while we were
wearing. under the heavy fire or our
feet, ran ashore.
"5 The Vizcaya, Oquendo, and Colon
continuing on, and gaining In distance
The Brooklyn was engaged with the three
leading ships of the enemy, which wee
forging ahead, the Texas, Iowa, anu IN
diana keeping up heavy fire, but steadl-
ly dropping astern. The oregon was
keeping I'D a steady fire, and was coming
up In the most glorious and gallant style'
outstripping all others. III was an ii-
spring sight to see this battleshlp' WIN
a large white wave before her, ana heI
smokestacks belching forth continued
nuffs from her forced draught. We were
making fourteen knots at the time, and
the Oregon came up off our starboard
quarter. at about 600 yards, and main
tanned her position, though we soon al
terward increased our speed to fifteen
knots. and just before the Colon sur
rendered were making nearly sixteen.
THE OQUENDO AFLAME.
&c. The Oquendo soon dropped astern'
and, on fire, ran ashore. Inc NlZcayd
and Colon continued on, under fre from
the BROOKLYN and Oregon. The other yes
coils of our fleet were well astern and
out of range. The Texas was evidently
coming up fast At about 1855 a. NJ. the
Vizcaya was seen TO be on fire, and the
Colon passed inside of her, with increased
speed took the lead, and gradually Forged
ahead. The Vizcaya soon afterwards ran
on the beach on fire. We signaled 10
cease firing on the Vizcaya, as her nag
was down. Firing Immediately ceased
and we both continued the chase OIL the
Colon. now about 1900 yards away. The
ranges ran from 800 TO 5000 yards with
the yizcaya as she kept in and out OF
the coast. We steered straight for dis
tant point near Cape Cruz, while the Colon
kept close TO the land. She could not
have come out without crossing our bows
and we were steadily gaining on her. we
were getting moro steam all the time,
and now had four and one-half boilers on,
and the remaining one and one-hait near
ly ready.
AFTER THE COLON.
az After running for about fifty miles,
ue steered for the Colon. She ran to the
beach TO leeward, and hauled down her
flag. The oregon and Brooklyn had just
begun to fire on the Colon,
and were landing shells close to her. /
was sent on board by Commodore Schley
to receive the surrender The captain
smoke English, and received me pleasant
ly. though naturally much depressed. He !
Internationally. He was |
polite, shook hands, and said that his |
case was hopeless, and he saw that we |
were too much for him. 1 was on board |
about fifteen minutes. AS we came from |
the Colon the flagship New York came
in. with the Texas. L reported on board |
the flagship to Rear-Admiral Sampson. ] |
stated TO him that / believed the Colon |
could be COTTON off the beach.
IS During the entire action / was in |
communication with you, so that |
l was enabled 10 promptly execute your |
orders and instructions. The officers and |
crew behaved with great and unexcep- |
tionable coolness and bravery. so that
il is difficult to discriminate. They were |
encouraged in their best efforts by your |
and your CHEEKY words: |
Fire steady. boys. and give 1t to them
OFFICERS WHO DID WELL.
49, The executive officer, n. Il. Mason. |
,yith his usual zeal. was continually at |
the battery, directing the firing, and |
keeping me weil-informed of the exact |
of the ship, and in encouraging |
both officers and men by his example Of |
cooness and courage
Lieutenant Hodgson was on the bridge. |
roolly and deliberately taking bearings, |
and measuring and giving ranges. He /
was assisted in getting ranges and noting
them by Chief-Yeoman George Ellis. I'M
Ill Ellis was killed by passing shell.
III. The officers OF the divisions-Lieu-
tenants T. d. Griffin. w. r. Rush. Il.
simpson, j. G. Doyle. and Il. w. Wells.
md Ensign Webster-all performed their
,..u a,,t,, daiihara tolv and efficf1pflv ho |