The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-13

Key West, Fla, May 12.-When the
United States gunboat Hudson came up
to the government dock at s O'Clock this
morning the bodies Of FIVE dead men
were lying on her after-deck. They were
the remains of Ensign w. Bagley and
four members of the crew of the torpedo
boat Winslow, who were killed in an
engagement in Cardenas harbor yester-
day afternoon. The bodies were cover
ed by the stars and stripes.
In the cabin of the Hudson was Cap
tain John b. Bernadou. Of the Winslow,
who is slightly injured in the left leg,
and several others of the Winslow' S
crew, who are slightly wounded.
The dead are:
ENSIGN WORTH BAGLEY.
JOHN VARXERLES, oiler.
JOSIAH TUNNETT, cabin cook.
j. v. MEEKS, fireman.
]. DANIEL, fireman.
The engagement took place inside the
harbor of Cardenas. The gunboat Viii
mington, the torpedo boat WinsloW and
the gunboat Hudson were the only yes"
sells engaged. They entered the harboi
for the purpose of attacking some Span
ish glnboats which were known to b.
there. These latter, however, were non
injured by the American force until tn.
Spanish opened fire. The land batteries
of Cardenas supported the tire of the
Spanish gunboats.
The engagement commenced at 2:Ol
u. m., and lasted for about an hour.
The wounded are:
II. II. Cox, gunners-mate; ID. McKeon,
anartermaster: j. Patterson, fireman;
Il. Gray, and Lieut. j. Il. Bernadou.
All are slightly wounded, except Pat
tcrson, whose condition is serious.
The battle, while it lasted. was terri
bic. The Wilmington and the Hudson
were ahead and opened fire on the Span
ish boats which were lying at the locks.
The firing being at range of $500
yards. A few minutes later, the Wins
low came up and also opened fire. In ~,
instant the entire attention of tn,
Spanish gunboats and land batteries was
directed upon her. From all sides shoT
and shell seemed TO pour in upon the lit
tie torpedo boat.
The Wilmington and the Hudson still
kept up their fire but they could not
turn aside the terrible storm of fire and
death pouring in upon the torpedo boat
The crew of the Winslow, however
never faltered for second. At 2:3o
D. M, solid shot crashed into the huh
OF the Winslow and knocked out her
boiler. In an instant she began to roll
and drift helplessly.
Then there was a moment Of awful
suspense. A fierce chez? OF triumph
went up from the Spaniards on the CUR
boats and in the batteries and general
storm of fire was opened up on the help
less boat. The gunboat Hudson. which
was lying nearby started to the assist
ance of the Winslow. She ran along
side the torpedo boat and tried to throw
line 10 the imperilled crew.
Up to this time. with the execution Of
the one shot, which disabled the boilr,
of the Winslow, the firing of the Span-
ish gunboats had been wild. but as Inc
WinsOw lay rolling in the water. the
range grew closer and shells began 10 ex-
pl0de all about her. 1t was difficult for
the Hudson to get near enosgh to
throw a line to the Winslow's crew. so
terrible was the fire all about her. Fin
ally, after trying for about twenty min.
utes, the Hudson approached near
enough to throw a line Ensign Bagley
and six men were standing in group on
the deck of the WinslOw.
''Heave her. heave her" shouted Bag
ley as he looked toward the commands