Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-24
THE BATTLE OF NIPE.
ONE OF THE MOST VICIOUS EN-
GAGEMENTs OF THE WAR.
CAPTURE OF THE HARBOR.
Ii Was Intended as n Base for the
Porto Rico Cnmpnign-Forts ST.
Ienced-Spanish Gunboat Jorge
Juan Sunk.
Juan Sunk.

| M.-Acting under orders from Rear-Ad-
miral Sampson, four warships on Thurs
| day afternoon last entered the harbor
| of Nipe, on the northeast coast OF the
| province of Santiago de Cuba, and after
| a furious bombardment, took possession
Of the harbor as a base of operations for
the Porto Rico campaign. 1t is under
stood. however, that the plans have been
changed since, and that Nipe will not be
used for the purpose originally intended.
The vessels engaged were the Topeka,
Annapolis, Wasp, and Leyden. In the
course of an hour they silenced three
forts. sank the Spanish gunboat Jorge
Juan mot the Juan Jorge, as before re-
ported). and scattered Spanish riflemen
who had taken part in the engagement.
The channel leading into the harbor
was very narrow, and on a-bluff to the
right. called Galory Point, were a fort
and a signal station. AS the American
ships entered, the Spaniards were sig
Mailing in lively fashion withaa blue ball
and flag. apparently notifying the Span
ish ships in the harbor, which were the
Jorge Juan, two smaller gunboats. and
an armored launch. AS the Wasp and
Leyden rounded, the fort fired a dozen
shots, none of which, however. fell near
them. and the Topeka returned the fire
with her 3-pounders.
SPANIARDS PROMPTLY RUN.
Almost Immediately the Spaniards de-
serted the fort and ran, while the Topeka
continued to send shells into them. A
body of riflemen on the beach returned
the fire with a few viii shots. but they,
too. were quickly dispersed bv the To-
peka's smaller guns. The Topeka also
discharged two torpedoes. At the same
time another small fort to the left Of the
channel fired on the American ships, but
1t was silenced as easily as the others.
In the mean while, the Wasp and Ley
der had taken up position in the north
western portion of the harbor, and opened
fire across the water at the Jorge Juan.
which lay to the southeast. In front OF
the town of Mayari. Her position was
about mile and quarter from the !
beach, and behind her third fort stood. |
Oh an eminence. This fort opened fire on |
the Wasp and Leyden. and as the Anna |
polls and Topeka came up, the Spanish |
gunboat Joined in the fight and a general |
battle followed.
The Topeka anchored in the middle of
the harbor. about 1000 yards from the
Jorge Juan. and the other three American
boats drew up on either side and formed
a semi-circle. They then closed In on the
Spanish ship, pouring destructive fire at
her and the fort beyond The Topeka sent
4-inch shells crashing into the Jorge Juan
a; such rate that she sank within twen-
ty minutes.
SHORT BUT VICIOUS. FIGHT.
When the firing became heavy the OFF,
GERS and crew of the Spaniards put off in
small boats, made the shore under heavy
fire, and escaped into the woods. Two
shots from the Topeka's bow gun, fired
at an elevation of 4.500 yards, dropped
,quareE into the Mayari forts, the Span
sh pennants disappeared, and a white |
lag was run up. This ended a short. but
,ne Of the most vicious, battles of the |
var,
All the American ships sent small boats |
ver to the Spanish gunboat. They found
hat the Jorge Juan's forecastle had been
ntirely nipped away by the Topeka's 4
nch shells. and that her fore and mizzen-
nasts and Flagstaff were carried off. II |
thought the Spaniards scuttled her be- ,
ore abandoning the vessel.
SHIPS MOTTO: BE BRAVE" G
Divers were sent down, and quite a Gu |
ous collection OF relics was found. One
las the ships motto: BE brave. and you r
in go home to SPAIN"
Four or five cats, still alive. were cling
lg TO the wreckage. and one dog. which
ad been chained to the deck, was drown r
That part OF the rigging which pro- !,
uded from the water swarmed with rats.
hich attempted TO renew the battle with :
lie Americans. but were driven into the :
"a.
The harbor was found to be we'll mined.
nd two OF the mines exploded-one about
0 yards off the Topekas bow and the =
her 200 yards from her port quarter. AS
e ships came out they saw a contact
Inc floating on the surface of the water. a
EDS BROTHER-IN-LAw THE HERO. VI
The engagement was hardly over when "
e torpedo-boat Dupont came along with n
spatches from Rear-Admiral Sampson a.
r Commodore Remey. and the Topeka h,
as sent with them to Key West, ar Of