The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-17

vixen and Scorpion took up positions
On oppoelte nanln close inshore for the
purpose OF enfilading any infantry that
might f1rs upon the ships.
When the ships got into position 1t was
.uttll too dark for any firing. The admiral
signaled the ships not to IRE until the
muscles Of the enemy's guns In the en-
brasures could be seen by the gun cap
tatns.
New York Opens the Ball
Fifteen minutes later. at SIS a. m, the
New York opened with q broadside from
her main battery at the works on the east
Of the entrance to the harbor. All the
ships followed in streaks Of fame. The
feet. enveloped in smoke. pelted the hills
and kicked UP dirt and masonry. 1t was
magnificent spectacle from where the
Dauntless lay.
Though the gun captains had been eau
toned not to waste ammunition, but to
fire with elaboration, the fire was so rapid
that there was an almost continuous report.
The measured crash of the big 13-inch
guns of the battleships sounded above the
rattle of the guns of the secondary bat
teries like thunder claps above the din of
hurricane. A strong land breeze off the
shore carried the smoke of the ships sea-
ward while it let down a thick curtain In
front of the Spanish gunners.
Our IRE was much more effective than
A. ", ,5x> T..
ais ordnance expert had given explicit d.
rections to reduce the powder charges
and to elevate the guns SO as to shorten the
trajectory and thus to secure a plunging
Ere. AS the shells in the preceding bonn
bardments dropped with the almost
straight trajectories of projectiles with full
charges, 1t was almost impossible to plant
them. They would shoot into the air, en-
circling the batteries, owing to the high
elevation. and fall far over the fortifica-
tons. The effect of the reduced charges
was marvellous.
Making Short Work It
In fifteen minutes the western battery
was completely wrecked. The Massachu-
sets tore gaping hole in the emplace-
ment with a thousand pound projectile,
and the Texas dropped shell into their
powder magazine. The explosion wrought
terrible havoc. The frame was lifted the
sides were blown out, and a shower of de-
bris flew in every direction. One timber.
carried out of the side of the battery,
went tumbling down the hill. The loss of
life must have been great.
The batteries on the east of MORO were
harder to get at, but the New Orleans
crossed the bows of the New York to within
$500 yards off shore and played tattoo
with her long eight-inch rifles, hitting them
repeatedly. striking a gun souareIy muz-
ale on. lifting it of its trunnions and send
ing It sweeping somersaults in the air.
several times Admiral Sampson signaled
the ships to Temporarily cease firing. in
order to allow the smoke to clear from the
batteries. When the order came. at $50
To cease nrns. every gun of the enemv had
heen sileneed for tan minutes. hut as tho
shins drew ofY some of the Spanish courage
ra+urned and half dozen shots were
frad sn,tef,,,v at tho Massachusetts and
a. ora,o,, f.,,irg In tbe,r wotes
r,,-o,,.h,,,t tho hor,ha rdn,ert The dvns-
"a. s'.,.or xros,,,-,,,s .rd tho porter Nv.
-. ..-.... ~ 49,, oa,,;r,I ,.,, o,,t.;da ~ tho
80. 49, nv sta. -, ,o,,ncb ~ the eag-
-.e' 49,. .h,r. =. rr,,,,,,,
'A-p
iiesoaee
Ine Siose VI ene >9'ion
At the close OF the action a. stream Oh
multi-colored flags hoated from the New
York, greatly complimenting the snlps' and
especially commencing the WORK OF the
Texas and New Orleans. Tne men Oh the
New Orleans raised cheer winch was
passed quickly on from ship to ship until
every JACKIE IN 'he meet was "o"iAhs ai'l'Se'i
~ s... =. ~. as.ar,
ha,tsr,ss r,,st ha,a heen anna,linv Mar
~ 49, .r,,ns Id hasn r,oun+ad d,,,ne m a Iost
49, go 49,, ,t,s a. ;s In ferrod thot "A.
-, Csr,,.. 80 er;,,ar x al, horo ~ 90
.-,oa.,ra t,r,saIf fror, tba tran IN which
-, - o,,r.. go VA rs,,ova, Tho ,,,ns
fror, go -, his chin, 20 s,rsrgther AZ
,.rd aafarses
Aa~,,ro1 r,,,,,o, ,s h;oh,v ar.t,eaa ..
~. ras,,Its 80 ~ hor,,h. rdr,.rt ue th,rLs
tha ve.,sr, no ttor,as nro cticol,,, der,oIisha5
A. so,,a - ~. .,,,rs ~, tha 90 go, 49,
1910 d,a -. g.. ~ thtn,,s a. ,,o~s,,,,. 49,,
800 ~, d,,r,r,;a- TIL oni,, $500. ~.
.rossod - 49, to,,.,,,.~, rIoS.o go ~.
,ron,ors h., .h.;r v,ra.aroa n, u, n1or.o
be a pile of ruins.
when this dispatch is sent. Judging from