The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-01
Combined American Squadron
BOmbard MOrrO Castle.
Spanish WarShipS Join in the
Fight.
MOrrO Castle Is Totally De-
mOIiShed.
Fourteen American Vessels
Engaged.

Copyright, 1898. by Associated Press).
Port Au Prince, Hayti, June 1.-The
following additional details have been
received here from a Spanish source at
Havana of the engagement reported
off Santiago de Cuba yesterday.
The Spanish batteries at first an
swered the fire of the American squad
ron in a lively manner. After twenty
minutes of firing directed in a superior
manner upon the part of the American
fleet, the Spanish battery began to
weaken and the American ships con-
centrated a violent fusilIade on Ell Nor
TO, destroying it completely. The fort
at So Capa and Punta Gorda fired the
last shots.
The Spanish loss must have been
considerable. Details are lacking as to
the American loss.
The spaniards pretend to have struck
the American vessels several times, but
this information is accepted here under
reserve
At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
American squadron ceased firing. At
that hour there were no Spanish vessels
in sight.
No news has been received here from
the dispatch boats.
Copyright 1898 By the Associated
Press)
Havana, June 1.-The following Span
fish account of the reported engagement
off Santiago de Cuba, has been issued
here:
The American fleet, consisting of the
Iowa, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, Texas,
New Orleans, MarbIehead, Minneapolis
and another cruiser, in addition to six
small vessels, took up a position on May
81 on the western side of the mouth of
Santiago de Cuba channel, opening fire
from the first five vessels.
The Spanish cruiser CristobaI Colon
was anchored toward Punta Gorda. and
could be seen from the open sea.
The fire of the American fleet was an
swered by Morro. So Capa and Punta
Gorda batteries and by the cruiser
Cristobal Colon.
The American fleet fired seventy
shots with projectiles of 32'' without |
causing the least damage
The bombardment lasted ninety min |
utes and the American fleet retired |
with transatlantic steamer Cauxiliary /
cruiser) damaged. Tive shells were |
seen to explode on the Iowa's stern and +
there was fire on board another bat /
tleship
Several projecti1es fell inside the har- |
Dor, near the Spanish warships.
There is great enthusiasm at San
tiago de Cuba and here.
London, June This city is he |
wildered by the conflicting reports from
Santiago de Cuba, which are reaching
here from all sources. 1.-The Spanish |
fleet destroyed, or surrendered alter
mates with Reported battle discredited |
at the navy department on the news |
placards
Some of the special dispatches have !
seemingly minute details as to how
1.-The Brooklyn standing we'll in shore, |
opened the battle yesterday afternoon |
and how a heavy fire was concentrated
by the whole squadron on Morro Castle |
and the other defenses to which they
replied furiously''
Another report says: Commodore |
Schley after exploding many mines in |
the channel, ran the Texas far enough |
into the harbor to engage and sink the
Reina Mercedes.
New York, June IA cablegram
from Kingston, Jamaica, says
American men-of-war and a number |
OF torpedo boats bombarded Santiago |
yesterday afternoon. American fleet |
fired principally upon Spanish armored
ships and on the batteries of Morro. |
Zecapa and Punta Gorda. Cannonad-
anE was heaviest at o'clock Cannon |