The age-herald., 1898-09-29
HOW THE VIZCAYA
 MET DEFEAT

tiago, on July 3, and which paid a visit to l New York harbor before the outbreak of | the war, has given out a semi-official state- ment of his part in the famous battle and the part taken by his crew and himself. The statement has been printed in a Span- ish paper and received in Washington. Captain Eulate speaks of the bravery of his crew and the kindness accorded him and his officers by the Americans, but has but little to say of Admiral Cervera. The report folows
 "On the morning of the 2d of July we were making arrangements to leave the harbor of Santiago at 4 D. m. on that day, but we were necessarily delayed in get ting ready On the following morning it had been decided finally to leave the har- bor and make attempt to escape. l called the entire crew on the upper deck of the Yizcaya and addressed them upon the purpose of Admiral Cervera, remind- ing. them of the well-known bravery of the Spanish sailors and encouraged them to do their duty. After all preparations were made we received the benediction of the chaplain of the ship and listened to his prayer for our safety and success.
 ''At o'clock in the morning the fighting flag was raised and we advanced, fo.low-
 
 Infanta Maria Teresa Shortly afterward the Vizcaya passed out of the harbor of Santiago by the point of socappo out into the open, her colors gayly flying in all their glory, and every man at his gun ready and eagerly waiting for the signal from their officers to begin firing when the American ships should attack us, as we expected. We had advanced but short distance past ho xuha fired by the American squadron, whose fire was very strong and effective from the first. our gunners returned the fire at once and were soon disabled by the fire of the enemy and gradually our fire grew less from ne- cessity, due to the fact that our batteries had been greatly injured.
 "The men stood by their guns fighting like the brave heroes they were until tEe last Many of the gunners were killed at their posts and it was necessary for the officers to call upon members of the crew to come to the relief and replace the gum ners which was done. On the upper and lower deck seventy-six men were killed or so wounded that they could no longer con- tinue the fire. One of the bravest of all the officers whom 1 recommend for esps sciaI merit 1t Lieutenant Julian History Tor res. who, for his bravery and heroism, has won everlasting glory for himself and the Spanish navy. The fierce attack made by the enemy upon the flagship, which was in the lead for a short time, protected the yizcaya from their terrible fire, and during that time our gunners did their most effec- tive work.
 ''At the beginning of the second hour of the battle the Vizcaya was made the tar- get for at least four of the enemy's best battleships, the Brooklyn, Oregon, Iowa and New York. The Vizcaya was during this time leading the enemy a rapid chase at sea- but it was impossible for her to get outside of the range of the enemys guns. Our situation continued to grow very grave owing to the fact that the fire or the enemy was so close. It was 9:30 wh5n the first shot was fired and at 11:50 our guns had become completely disabled, and we could no longer resist the merciless fire of the enemy.
 q was wounded and faint from the loss of blood and was compelled to retire to tha cabin after turning the command of the ship over to my second, with orders to burn her before surrendering to the enemy In the cabin when I reached it was the brave Lieutenant Louis Fajardo, who told me that he had been wounded in one arm and was having it dressed, but he replied that he still had another arm left to use in defense of his country. This was but one instance of the bravery, heroism and cour- age of the Spanish officers and crew on board the Vizcaya. l found that it was impossible for me to remain in my cab.n when my ship was being fired upon by an enemy and after my wounds in the head and back were dressed I returned to the bridge and again took command of the shin. My second in command then told ma that he had ordered the Vizcaya to be run ashore that all of her guns had been d S. abled by the enemy's fire and that the ship was on fire in many places.
 sI then called all of the officers and crew on deck among them being the brave Lieu tenant Commander Enrique Capriles, him. self wounded, and inquired of them if there was anything further which any or them might suggest which would add lar tber glory to Spain or her navy, or that could be done to save our gallant snip It was the unanimous opinion that we had all done our duty <tavely and well, and therefore concurred in the order that the shin should be run ashore, hoping to de- stroy her rather than that she be captured bv the enemy. Our fighting flag l imme-
 
 diately ordered down and burned, and an- other banner was hoisted in it's place. At 12:12, after nearly three hours of terrible fighting, and being constantly under hle from four of the American ironclads, the yizcaya was turned ashore and grounded.
 q order in. the meantime that the men take to the boats, and gave all permls- sion to seek safety as best they could. The only one boat left available l ordered to be placed at the disposal of the Wound- ed, and this was gladly done by the brave heroes, who jumped into the sea to escape death upon the burning vessel. pelhg wounded was placed in the boat myself ana made for shore, about l5O yards olstaht' It was a sad but imposing spectacle to Wit ness the bravery of the crew after their desperate fighting. Upon reaching the shore I was informed by my second that none had been left aboard the ship but the