The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-27
.SCHLEY'S REPORT
OF THE VICTORY.
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Continued from first Page.)
of a Spanish battleship near Altares.
Your orders to me were TO take the
oregon and 80 eastward 10 meet her, and
this was done by the Brooklyn. with
the result that the vessel reported as an
enemy was discovered 10 be the Austrian
cruiser Maria Teresa.
IL would mention for your considsra-
ton that the Brooklyn occupied the most
westward blockading position with the
Vixen, and. being more directly in the
route taken by the Spanish squadron. was
exposed for some minuteS-possibly ten
10 the gun fire OF three Of the Spanish
ships and the west battery at a range OF
ffteen hundred yards from the ships.
and about 5000 yards from the batteries.
but the vessels OF ire entire squadron.
closing in rapidly. soon diverted this fire.
and did magnificent work at close range
l have never before witnessed such
deadly and fatally accurate shooting as
was done by the ships OF your command
as they closed In on the Spanish squadron
and [ deem Il a high privilege 10 COM
mend to YOU for such action as YOU may
deem proper, the gsllsntry ard dashing
courage. the prompt decision and the
skiifull handling OF the respective vessels
Of Captain Philips. Captain Evans. Cap
tain Clarke and especially Of my chief-)f-
STAFF, Captain Cook who was directly M
der my personal observation and whose
GOODNESS. promptness and courage were
OF the highest order.
The dense smoke OF the combat shut out
from my view the Indiana and the Glou-
cester. but as these vessels were closer 10
your flagship. no doubt their part in the
conflict was under your immediate obser-
walton.
THE VIXEN IN THE THICK.
g Lieutenant Sharp. commanding the
Vixen. acted with conspicuous courage:
although unable 10 engage the heavier
ships OF the enemy with his light guns.
nevertheless was close In 20 the battle
line under heavy fire and many OF the
enemys shots passed beyond his vessel.
o 7 beg to invite special attention to
the conduct Of my flag lieutenant James
II. Sears and Ensign Edward McCauley,
Jr.. aide. who were constantly AZ my side
during the engagement and who exposed
themselves fearlessly in discharging their
duties and also 10 the splendid behavior
u my secretary. Lieutenant b. w. Wells.
Jr, who commanded and directed the
fighting Of the fourth division with splen-
did effect
10 would commend the highly meri-
torious conduct and courage In ne en-
gagement OF Lieutenant Commander y.
+. Mason. the executive officer. whose
presence everywhere over the ship dur
ing its continuance did much TO secure
the good result Of this ships part in the
victory.
1.-THE navigator. Lieutenant A. G.
Hodgson. and the division officers-Lieu-
tenant r. ID. Griffin. Lieutenant w. r.
Rush. Lieutenant Edward Simpson,
Lieutenant j. d. Doyle Ensign Charles
Webster. and the junior divisional Of
ficers-were most steady and conspicu-
Gus I'm every detail Of duty. contributing
10 the accurate firing Of the ship in her
part OF the great victory Of your forces
12-The officers of the medical, pay and
engineer and marine corps responded 20
every demand OF the occasion and were
fearless I'm exposing themselves. Inc
warrant officers. Boatswain William J..
Hill. Carpenter G.. II. Warford and Cum
mere 7. r.. Apologize were everywhere
exposed. I'm watching for damage, reports
Of which were promptly conveyed TO me.
THE BROOKLYN's CREW.
81 have never in my life served with
a Drawer. better or worthier crew than
that of the Brooklyn. During the conf
bat lasting from s.85 until l15 p. NJ.
much Of the time under fire. they never
tagged for a moment and were appar-
emily undisturbed by the storm ot pro-
jectiles passing ahead, astern and over
the ship.
1.-THE result Of the enga cement was
the destruction Of the Spanish squadron
and the capture Of the admiral and some
thirteen 10 fifteen hundred prisoners.
with the loss Of several hundred killed,
estimated by Admiral Cervera al 800 men.
1.-THE casualties on board this ship
were. c. H. Bills. chief yeoman, killed.
j. Burns. fireman. FIRST class severely
wounded.
STRUCK 25 TINES.
The marks and scars show that the
shin was struck about twenty-five times
and she bears in all forty-one scars as
the result Of her participation in the
great victory OF your force on July 3.
1895
The speed-cone haliards were shot
away. and nearly all the signal halliards
The ensign al the main was go shattered
that In hauling II down AT the closee OF
the action IT fell IN pieces.
BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL.
rs. 1 congratulate you most sincerely
upon this victory TO The squadron under
your command. and ! am glad that had
an opportunity 10 contribute In the least
in a victory that seems big enough Tor
an Of us.
H..
Is. Since reaching this place and hold
ing conversation with several Of the cap
tains, viz: Captain EuIate. of the VIZ
caya, and the second in command of the
Colon, Commander Contreras, have
learned that the spanish Admirars
scheme was 10 concentrate all fire for
awhile on the Brooklyn and the Vizcaya
10 ram her i'm hopes that II they could
destroy her. the chances Of escape would
be increased as IL was supposed she was
the swiftest ship of your squadron. This
explains the heavy fire and the Vizcaya's
action I'm the earlier moments OF the en-
gagement.
The execution Of This purpose was
promptly defeated by the fact that all
the ships Of the squadron advanced into
close range and opened an irresistably
furious and terrific fire upon the enemys
squadron as 10 was coming out OF the har-
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