The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-14
DEWEY TELLS OF HIS DoINGS
ADNuRAL's MAIL ACCOUNT OF THE
BATTLE OF MANILA.

Exploded Too Far Ahead of the
Olympia 10 DO Amy Damage.
Washington, June 1S.-The navy depart
meut made public this afternoon the fol-
lowing letter from Admiral Dewey, it be-
ing the first mail advices received from
him:
Flagship Olympia. Cavite, May 4. 1885,
The squadron left Mrs bay on
April p
arrived off Bolinao on morning of
April 80, and finding no vessels there, pro
ceeded down the coast and arrived off the
entrance to Manila bay on the same after
noon. The Boston and Concord were sent
to recnointer Port Subic ."
"A thorough search of the port was
made by the Boston and Concord, but the
Spanish fleet was not found
Entered the south channel al IL 80 p. M,
steaming in column at eight knots. After
half the squadron had passed. battery
on the south side of the channel opened
fire, none of the shots taking effect. The
Boston and McCulloch returned the fire.
Squadron proceeded across the bay at
slow speed and arrived off Manila at day
break; was fired on at $50 a. m. by three
batteries at Manila, two at Cavite, and
the Spanish fleet anchored in an approx
mately east and west line across the
mouth of Baker bay. with their left In
shoal water in Cancao bay. The squadron
then proceeded to attack the flagship
Olympia, under my personal direction,
leading, followed at distance by the Raj
ri nd
ton in the order named, which formation
was maintained throughout the action.
The squadron opened fire at Sal a. m.
"While advancing to the attack two
mines were exploded ahead of the flag
ship, too far to be effective.
1.-The squadron maintained a continuous
and precise fire, at ranges varying from
1000 to 1900 yards, countermarching in a
line approximately parallel to that of the
Spanish fleet.
''The enemy's fire was vigorous but gen
crafty ineffective.
early in the engagement two launches
put out toward the Olympia with the ap-
parent intention of using torpedoes. One
was sunk and the other disabled by our
fire and beached, before an opportunity oc-
Cured to fire torpedoes
"At a. m. the Spanish flagship Reina
Christina made a desperate attempt to
leave the line and come out to engage at
short range, but was received with such
CALLING fire, the entire battery of the
Olympia being concentrated upon her, that
she was barely able to return to the shell
ter of the point The fire started on her by
our shells at this time was not extinguish-
ed until she sank.
"The three batteries at Manila had kept
up a continuous report from the begin
ming of the engag ement, which fire was
not returned by this squadron. The first
of these batteries is situated on the south
mole head, entrance to the Pasaig river;
the second on the south bastion of the
walled city of Manila, and the third at
Malate, about one-half mile further south.
AT this point I sent a message to the
governor general to the effect that il the
batteries did not cease firing, the city
would be shelled. This had the effect of
silencing them.
cat 1885 a. M I ceased firing and with
drew the squadron for breakfast
AT 11:16 a. m. returned to the attack.
BY this time the Spanish flagship and al
most the entire Spanish fleet were in
flames. AT 1890 p. m. the squadron ceased
firing, the batteries being silenced, the
ships sunk, burnt and deserted. At 12:40 p.
IN. the squadron returned and anchored off
Manila, the Petrol being left behind to
complete the destruction of the smaller
gun boats, which were behind the point of
Cavita. This duty was performed by Com
mander E. P. Wood in the most expedi-
tious and complete manner. possible.
1.-The Spanish lost the following vessels:
"Sunk-Reina Christina, Castillo, Don
Ontonio de Ulloa, Don Juan de Austria,
Isla de Luzon and Isia de Mindano Grams
port)
"Captured-Rapido and Hercules (tugs)
and several small launches.
Am unable to obtain complete account
of the enemys killed and wounded, but
believe their losses to be very heavy. The
Reina Christina alone had $50 killed, in
Guiding the captain, and 80 wounded.
II am happy to report that the damage
done to the squadron under my command
was inconsiderable. There was none kill
ed, and only seven men in the squadron
very slightly wounded.
Several of the vessels were struck, and
even penetrated but the damage is of the
slightest, and the squadron is in as good
condition now as before the battle.
II beg to state to the department that
doubt if any commander-in-chiefw was ever
served by more loyal, efficient and gallant
captains than those of the squadron now
under my command. Capt Frank Wildes,
commanding the Boston, volunteered to
remain in command of his vessel, although
his relief arrived before leaving Hong
Kong.
Assistant Surgeon Kindleberger of the
Olympia and Gunner j. c. Evans of the
Boston also volunteered to remain after
orders detaching them had arrived.
'"The conduct of my personal staff was
excellent. Commander B. p. Lamberton,
chief of the staff, was a volunteer for that
position and gave me most efficient aid
Lieut. Brundy flag lieutenant, and En-
sign w. p. Scott performed their duties as
signal officers in a highly credible man.
ner The Olympia being short of Off
GERS for the battery, Ensign H.
II. Caldwell. flag secretary, volunteered
and was assigned TO a subdivision of the
fiVe-inch battery
"NIr. ]. L. Stckney, formerly an Off
Ger in the United States navy and now
correspondent for the New York Herald,