The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-05-12
Dewey's Great Victory.

"Manila, May The squadron ar
rived at Manila at day break this morn
ing. Immediately engaged the enemy
and destroyed the following Spanish yes
sells:
"Reina Christina, Castillo, Ulloa, Isle
de Cuba, General LOCO, The Duerro,
Correo, Veasco, Mindanao, one trans
port and the battery at Cavite.
1.-THE squadron is uninjured and only
a few were slightly wounded. The only
means of telegraphing is to the Ameri-
can consul at Hongkong. l shall COM
municate with him.
(Sipned) Dewey
"Cavite. May IL have taken pos
session of the naval station at Cavite on
Philippine Islands. Have destroyed the
Notifications at bay entrance paralleling
garrison.
81 control the bay completely and can
take the city at any time. The squad
ron is in excellent health and spirits.
1.-The Spanish loss not fully known
but very heavy There are $50 killed,
including captain of Reina Fhristiana.
81 am assisting in protecting Spanish
sick and wounded. There are $50 sick
and wounded in hospital within our lines
Much excitement at Manila. Will pro-
tect foreign residents
(,igped) dewey"
1t appears that the cable was cut by
Dewey. 1t being in the hands of the
enemy he evidently thought it might be
used against him.
Specials to daily papers contain
further particulars in regard to this
great naval battle. 1t appears that
Dewey arrived off Manila bay, Saturday
night, and decided to enter the bay at
once. With all lights out the squadron
steamed into the bay with crews at the
guns in the following order which was
kept the whole time during the first
battle: The flagship Olympia, the
Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Petrol, the
Concord, the Boston. The flagship
passed Corregidor island without sign
being given that the Spaniards were
aware of its approach. Not until the
flagship was a mile beyond Corregidor
was a gun fired. Then one heavy shot
went screaming over the Raleigh and
the Olympia, followed by second,
which fell further astern. The Raleigh,
the Concord and the Boston replied, the
Concord's shells exploding, apparently,
exactly inside the battery on shore,
which fired no more.
Admiral Dewey timed the fleet SO it
arrived at within miles of the city of
Manila at daybreak. At this time he
sighted the Spanish squadron off Cavite,
a fortified city with navy yard.
Admiral Montijo's flag was flying on
the 3500-ton, protected cruiser Reina
Christina. The protected cruiser Castilla,
of 5000 tons, was moored ahead, and
astern of the port battery, and to lee
ward were the cruisers Don Juan de
Austria, Don Alonzo de Ulloa, Isla de
Cuba, lsla de Luzon, Quiros, Marquis
Del Onero and Gen. Loco. These
ships and the flagship remained under
way during most part of the action.
About ) o'clock 2 powerful submarine
mines were exploded ahead of the flag
ship, the Spaniards evidently misjudg-
ing the position. No other mines were
exploded. The action began on the part
of the American ships at $40 when
Dewey gave the order to open with all
the guns and the order was gladly obey
ed by all the ships as soon as they got in
position.
Protected by their shore batteries,
and made safe from close attack by
shallow water, the Spaniards were in a
strong position. They put up gallant
fight. The Spanish ships were sailing
back and forth behind the Castillo, and
their fire was hot but strange as it may
appear caused no serious damage 10
Dewey's squadron and but few slight
casualties TO men.
This first action was suspended at 7.35
o'clock a. m. and was renewed at l1.15,
the Baltimore taking the lead, the other
ships following and all firing brskly,
and in a short time not a spanish ensign
remained aloft on the Spanish fleet.
Then the Spanish flag on the arsenal
staff was hauled down, and at 1870
O'Clock white flag was hoisted there.
Signal was made to the Petrol to destroy
all the vessels in the inner harbor, and
Lieut.. Hughes, with an armed boats
crew, set fire to the Don Juan de Aus
tria, the Marquis Duerro, the lsla de
Cuba and FL Carlo. The large trans
port Manila and many tugboats and
small craft fell into our hands.
The victory is complete in every sense
and what is particularly fortunate with
out material loss on our side.
Presidential Nominations.
Monday the President sent these NOM
nations to the Senate
Xavy-Charles Ii. Allen of Massachu-
selts, to be assistant secretary of the
navy.
rreasury-First Assistant Engineer
James II. Chalker of New Jersey, to be
chief engineer in the revenue cutter SER
vice.
Postmasters-Maine Allison P. Buck