Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-28
NEW YORK TRIES TO ENGAGE
HIS u Long, Stern Chase. but Rnpidly
Gains on the Flying
Spaniards.

WASHINGTON, July 27.-The following
reports of Captain Chadwick of the New
York, Captain Taylor of the Indiana, Cap
tam Philip of the Texas, and Lieutenant
Commander Wainwright of the Gloucester
on the destruction of Cervera's fleet which
were included in Admiral Simpsons report
were made public today:
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW
YORK, FIRST RATE, Playa del Este, July
A., 1898. Sir: ! have the honor to make the
following report of the part taken by this
ship in the action of yesterday during and
foiiowing the sortie OF Admiral Cervera's
squadron.
2. The ship had started at $50 for the
army landing at Siboney, the commander
ln-chlef having an appointment with the
general commanding the army. A few
minutes after the crew had been called to
quarters for Sunday inspection, firing was
heard and a ship was seen leaving the harbor
entrance. The helm was at once put over,
the crew called to general quarters, signal
Close in towards the harbor entrance and
attack vessels was made and orders given
to spread all fires, and the ship headed back
Tor the enemy, whose ships were seen sue
cessiVely coming out at a high speed. The
flagship, lnfanta Maria Teresa was first,
then another armored cruiser of the same
class (Which turned out TO be the Vizcaya),
followed by the Christobal Colon, an arm
ored cruiser (Oquendo), and the torpedo
boat destroyers Furor and Pluton.
3. The nearer ships had Immediately en-
gagged and by the time we were off the en-
trance, the flagship was afre, and soon
ashore, the Indiana and Gloucester were
actively engaged with the torpedo boats.
This ship fired some four-inch shells at the
one nearer the port toward which it was
already headed and seemed attempting to
return, but it was already practically out
of the fight, the boiler OF the more ad-
vanced one had blown up showing a vast
column of condensed steam. During the
time the batteries, whose line OF fire we had
crossed close to, repeatedly fired upon us, but
without effect. No return was made to this
fire. A shell from the west battery fell
within 200 yards of the ships when we were
over four miles to the westward, and we
had thought ourselves entirely out of range.
Ihls ship stood on, leaving the Gloucester,
which bad shown herself so capable, to look
after the survivors in the torpedo boats.
By this time as second cruiser was ashore
and burning the Almirante Oquendo) while
the third, the Vizcaya and the Christobal
Colon were still steaming rapidly westward.
The Indiana was now signalled I'll &c a.
NJ to return to her blockading position, to
look after anything which might be there.
Shortly afterward the Vizcaya turned shore
ward and smoke began to issue from her
after-part. By the time she went ashore
on the reef at Aserraderos Cifteen miles
west of Santiago) she was ablaze. The Iowa
luu plShaiCi q ~ b'lolS lhal IL hHN
surrendered and stopped OFF this place where
she gave much assistance in the rescue OF
the Vizcaya's people.
4. This ship stood on in chase of the
Christobal Colon with a head of us the
Brooklyn, Oregon, Texas and Vixen, the
oregon being much nearer in shore OF the
two headmost ships but not in gunshot. We
were rapidly increasing our speed.
3. 1t was evident, however, that the Colon
would give us n lengthy chase, and at noon
the crew left quarters and went to dinner.
Oregon Settles the Chase.
6. About ~ so the Oregon opened fire and
some of her shell were observed to strike
beyond the Colon; this made her capture a
conclusion, and shortly after l
O'Clock she turned in toward shore and soon
struck her colors. She had been beached at
a small Inlet known as Rio Torquo. BY the
Captain Cook, the boarding officer, came
alongside this ship and reported. This ship
then sent a boat TO take possession, the
officer going in the boat. l
was received by the commodore Of the
the captain, Captain de Navlodon
Emelio Moreu and Captain dc DaVio of the
Don Jose de Paroles y Hhacon
(Which latter had been civil governor OF
Santiago and had only just been attached to
the squadron.)
l arranged for the transfer of the crew
and officers, a division 20 each ship present |
and thu engineer force to be left aboard. !
While aboard, however, the ResOlute ar |
rived and 1t was arranged to transfer the /
number to her.
Z. | had taken with me the fleet surgeon, /
an engineer and the carpenter to examine |
and make secure everything necessary, The