Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-05


bay Of Manila at o'clock yesterday
morning and opened a strong cannon-
ade against the Spanish squadron and
forts protecting the harbor.
The first class cruiser Reina Maria
Christina was burned and the second
class cruiser Don Jush de Austria was
blown up.
The American squadron retired. hav4
ing also sustained severe damage.
A second naval engagement followed,
in which the American squadron again
suffered considerable loss and the Span
ish warships Mindanao and ulloa were
slightly damaged
During this enga cement the Cavte
forts maintained a steadier and stron-
ger fire upon the American squadron
than in the first engagement.
Admiral Rermejo. the minister of ma
rine. has expressed himself as highly
pleased with the heroism of the Span
ish marines and has telegraphed con-
gratulations to Admiral Montojo and
the valorous crews of the Spanish
squadron under fire of superior war;
ships.
Captain Generals Report.
The following is the text of the official
dispatch from the governor general OF
the Philippines to the minister of war.
Lieutenant tIeneral COffea, as 10 tne
engagement off Manila:
Saturday night April 30. the batter
les at the entrance to the fort announce
ed the arrival of the enemy's squadron,
forcing a passage under the obscurity
of the night. At daybreak the enemy
took up positions opening with strong
fire against Fort Cavite and the ar
senal.
"Our fleet engaged the enemy in a
brilliant combat, protected by the Ca
vite and Manila forts. They obliged tha
enemy, with heavy loss. to maneuver
repeatedly. At 0 o'clock the American
squadron took refuge behind the foreign
merchant shipping, on the east side OF
the bay.
"Our feet considering the enemy's
superiority naturally suffered a severe
loss. The Maria Christina was destroy.
ed by fire and another ship believed Ia
be the Don Juan de Austria, was blown
up.
"There was considerable loss of life
Captain Cadarso. commanding the Ma
ria Christina, is among the killed. The
spirit of the army, navy and volunteer
is excellent.
Admiral Montojo has transferred hi
flag to the cruiser Isla de Cuba from tn
cruiser Reina Maria Christina. TIL,
burned, as was also the cruiser Castil
la, the other ships having to retir
from the combat and some being SUM
to avoid their falling into the hands
the enemy"
The second engagement, according 7
El Heraldo, was apparently begun by tn
Americans, after landing their wounde'
on the west side of the bay. In the lat
ter enga cement the Spanish ships Min
danao and IIlloa suffered heavily. Min
listers speak of serious but honorabl
losses"
The Spanish ministry of marin
claims a victory for Spain because tn
Americans We're forced to retire benin
the merchantmen. Captain Cadarso, Il
conman1 of the Reina Maria Christina
went down with the ship. The Span
iards fought splendidly, the sailors re
fusing to leave the burning and sinkln
Don Juan de Austria.
Spanish Admiral Admits Defeat.
The naval bureau at Manila sends tn
following report, signed "MontoJo, ao
miral:"
I'm the middle of the night the Amer
lean squadron forced the forts and be
fore daybreak appeared off Cavite. IN
night was completely dark. AT hall
past 7 the bow of the Reina Mari
Christina took fire, and soon after tn
ponD also was burned. At o'cloci
with my staff, l went on board the Isl
de Cuba. The Rena Maria Christin
and the Castillo were then entirely Ell
veloped in flames.
The other ships having been dan
aged retired into Baker bay. some ma
"a bs sunk to prevent their falling III