New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-05
thing as surprising as the Spanish feet getting
past the surken collier Merr!mac
EXCITING AND RAPID ACTION

running from bridge 10 engine-room OF every
ship and the entire fleet began to move IN
shore toward the Spanish and the great Pinch
and l3-inch guns Of the battle-ships and the
smaller batteries on the other vessels fred shot
after shot at long range.
AS the ships ran In toward the shore It soon
became evident that the Spaniards had not
come out to make aggressive fight for they
turned to the westward as soon as they had
cleared the harbor and started on their race for
safety, the same time sending answering
shots at the American ships fast as the men
could load and fire the guns
The Brooklyn. the Massachusetts. the Texas,
the Oregon and the Iowa were nearer the Span
iards than any others of the American vessels.
but still most Of them were too far away to get
an effective range. They crowded on all steam.
however. in preparation for the chase. never
stopping their fire for moment.
The Gloucester. formerly ]. P. Morgans
yacht Corsar. that cannot boast Of any
heavier battery than several six Founders
and three Founders. was lying off Aqua
dores, three miles east ot Moro. when the
Spaniards came ont. At first sh, Joined in the
attack upon large vessel and then he'd OIL
Commander Wainwright concluding 10 reserve
his efforts the for two torpedo boat d.s'toyers in
the rear.
TIE Gloucester steamed after them wher they
appeared and chased them to a point Ave miles
west Of Morro pouri..G shot after shot into
them all the time. Her efforts bore abundant
fruit for to her belongs the credit for tie de-
s,~uct,ou OF both Of the destroyers. She fred
1,400 shots during the chase. and +. was not
long before both destroyers were on fire and
plainly disabled
THE FURoR TURNED BAc1.
Notwithstanding this they both returned the
Gloucester's fire, and shower Of small. shells
fell all around the yacht The Furcr evidently
determined that she would not stand the fire
any longer and she put about and headed
back for Santiago.
Then the Gloucester simply smothered her
with shots from her rapid fire guns, and. run
ming like the wind. forced her TO turn arounf
and again head westward.
Smoke began 10 rise from the Furor's
sides and she put in toward the shore. Before
she had gone far. what was left OF her crew
| abandoned her and took TO the boats. reaching
the shore later. By that time size was mass
! of fame and was drifting about helplessy.
The Pluton was In the same distressed con-
dtion and was also headed for the shore, run
| ming up alongside OF a low bluff, where she
| soon pounded to pieces and finally broke in two
completely II was a most dangerous landing
place for her crew, and only about half of them
reached the shore alive
The Gloucester did not go any further west
but lay off shor. and sent in boa. to the as
sistance OF the crows Of the destroye:s 1t did
| not taka the flames long TO reach the FurCr's
magazines and there were two terrific ex-
| plosions, probably Of the gun-cotton aboard OF
her which blew holes in her bottom. Her stern
sank Immediately, and as 1t settled in the water
her bow rose straight in the air and she wen;
to the bottom. giving out kissing scadns
sound as she disappeared below the surface
BIG SHIPS IN ACTION.
Meantime the larger American ships We're
gaining on the Spanish cruisers. and q storm OF
shots was passing between the pursuers and tho
pursued The American fire was so rapid that
the ships were cnvelo:ed in thick clouds Of
smoke and II was impossible % tell at the dis-
tance which vessels were doing the greater ex-
| ecution.
The Brooklyn and the five battle ships were
keeping up al incessant fire upon the Infanta
Maria Teresa the VMcaya and the A!rniraate
Oouendo. and the latter were returning IT brave
! ly. though with no success The Spanish gun
ners seemed unable to get the proper range ani
many of their shots were Wild. though number
OF then, fell dangerously close to the mark.
rbe guns OF the battery just eaa: Of Moro
! also took part In the game. and their shells feh
around tne American ships. Many OF them
/ stn,.k the upper works o; the fleeing Sp"2iards'
and nus; have resulted in killing ana wound
! ing many OF their men.
/ The Spanish ships had now reached point
about seven miles west Of MORO anc mile or
two beyond the place where the Furor was
! burning.
The flagship and the Oquendo were the hrst
to show signals Of distress. Two thlrteen-ihcn
! shors from one Of the battle-ships had struck
the Maria Teresa at the water line. tearing
great holes in her side and causing her to III
rapidly.
BURNING SHIPS RUN AGROUND
The Oouendo suffered about the same ia'e'
ond both ships headed for small cove anu
went aground two hundred yards from '"e
.ho-e raroes shooting from them In every d'-
rectiOn.