The herald., 1898-06-13
SIMPSONS COMMANDS
ORDERS AGAINST CHEERING NOT
OBEYED BY CAPTAINS
MORRO CASTLE WAS SPARED
A Graphic Account Of the Bombard-
ment by an Eye Witness on the
Flagship New York

OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 6,
| p. M, via Kingston Jamaica, June 7.-(De-
layed in transmission.-(Copyr 1898,
by the Associated Press.) The fleet COM
manded by Rear Admiral Sampson boni-
barded and silenced the batteries at San
tiago de Cuba this morning. Not one of
our ships was hit and no casualties oc-
! Cured on our side. The enemy's fire was
irregular and badly directed. The bonn
| bardment lasted from 7:45 a. m. until a.
M, and it's object was finally accomplished.
Admiral Cervera's ships did not show
themselves. Frequent pauses in the firing
occurred on account of the smoke hanging
over the land. 1t is believed that the en-
emy's fortifcations were seriously dam
aged.
Order Of Battle
Admiral Sampson's order of battle was as
| follows: UNITED States flagship New
! York, first rate, off Santiago de Cuba, June
| {, 1898. Preparations will be made to en-
gage the batteries on Monday morning,
June 6, at Z o'clock. The men should be
given their breakfast at $50 and the di-
visions should be ready to form at clock.
When the preparation signed '1S' is made,
the ships will form south of the Moro as
follows:
1.-The western column, heading north,
the Brooklyn, Marblehead, Texas and Mas
sachusetts.
"The eastern column, heading north, the
New York, Yankee, New rleans, Oregon
and Iowa.
When the signal of execution, 49, is
made, the columns will move ahead.
1.-THE commander of each division will
make such signals as may be necessary to
bring his division into positions marked on
the accompanying drawing, forming on
the circles drawn at 800 yards from the
eastern and western batteries, one column
heading In a northwesterly and the other
in a northeasterly direction of the columns,
the easterly column to the northeastward
and the westerly column to the north
westward, running in the directions until
south of the indicated positions, then head
ing all vessels Of the divisions north, SIM
ultaneously turning again into the column
when the distance of 5000 yards is reached.
"Vessels will be 400 yards apart and will
retain their positions, the westerly col
umn using the starboard battery and the
easterly column the port batteries.
ION the signal from the commander-in-
| chief both columns will open fire, or fire
will be opened in case the enemy begins
| first.
Bearings will be taken carefully anc
distances obtained with all possible ac.
curacy.
1.-The Dolphin will take position to the
eastward and the Suwanee and Vixen to
the westward, as shown on the plan, for the
purpose of looking after any musketry fire
from the shore.
1.-THE fire will be deliberate and continual
until the batteries are sienced or an order
to cease firing be made.
Every respectfully.
w. T. SAMPSON,
Rear Admiral, U. S. NJ, Commander-in-
Chief United States Atlantic Station"
This order was carried out in most of its
details. The crew of the New York went
| to general quarters at 6:45.
The Ships Get Ready
There was some delay in getting the ships
| in position. A light breeze was blowing
and the sky was murky. At 1920, while
signaling to the ships to close up was in
progress, Admiral Sampson, leaning over
the forward bridge, asked Lieut.. Marble,
| in charge of the forward S-inch turret,
what he could see from the turret's sight
The lieutenant replied: II can see yellow
earth, but can't see the guns yet SIR
The New York went ahead slowly, fol-
lowed closely by the Yankee and New Or
leans, the Iowa and Oregon and Iowa some
way behind, in a westerly direction.
A small battery two miles west of Nor
Iro Castle which the New York was rapidly
approaching, seemed to be firing with
smokeless powder. The Dolphin was sig
nailed to come closer an dattend to this
At 7:30 o'clock number of guns could be
seen sticking out over the yellow emplace
ments over the eastern battery, which is
a quarter of mile from Moro. The ships
went right half-turn until the New York's
port battery was brought to bear on these
emplacements.
At 7:45 the signal to commence firing was
hoisted. and few seconds later the New
York's big guns roared out On her star
board quarter, the Yankee, with her naval
reserve crew, and the New Orleans fol-
lowed suit The firing was rapid and fair
~ good. Great clouds flew up ON the hill
side.
The Oregon and Iowa were still rather far
out. while the New York was close in
shore, firing at 1000 yard range. The
westerly column was almost out of sight
and apparently out of position, but 1t was
firing rapidly at the western batteries.
Smoke began to hang over the shore, aud
several times the firing was ordered tc
stop until the smoke cleared away. The
men waited for the shrek of the enemy's
shells, but they were seldom heard.
Out where the Iowa lay, rising jets of
water occasionally showed where the en-
emy's aim was directed. On the starboard
bow of the New York was a small railroad
trestle close to a little battery A freight
train was seen going in the direction of
Santiago de Cuba. When 1t came to the
eastern end of the trestle it stopped. as If
afraid to cross. Then, with smoke pouring
from the engine. 1t flew across the trestle
and was lost to sight behind cliff before
shot could reach 1t.
In Clouds Of Smoke
At 8 o'clock rain commenced to fall. BY
this time Moro hill, which is 1S0 feet high,
was being peppered badly from the waters
edge to where the lighthouse stands at the
top. Great clouds of smoke and dust arose
continually and when shots hit the rocks
sparks few back several hundred feet in