The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-29
CUTTING THE
SANTIAGO CABLE
A Graphic Account Given by One of
the St, louis Crew.

NEW YORK, May 2S.-The auxiliary
cruiser St. Louis arrived here from West
Indian waters this morning She had
been ordered TO the Cramps ship-yard
at Philadelphia. where, IL Is intended TO
place upon her six 1O-inch rifles, and thus
make her equal to the st. Paul. The ST.
Louis carried only four six-pounders.
The incident of the attempt to server
cable communication between Cuba and
the rest Of the world. which was one of
the latest i'm which the St. Louis engag-
ed during her stay in West Indian waters
is told as follows by one who was aboard
the cruiser:
CUTTING THE CABLE.
"Orders were given by Admiral Samp-
son 10 Captain Godrich on May 18th. to
take a tender in tow and proceed to San
tiago where the cable was to be cut
on May 18th, the expedition in small
boats left the cruiser for the entrance
of Santiago. The Santiago light was
burning brightly At A. NJ, May 17th
the expedition returned with part OF one
cable. but Il had failed 20 find the sec
ond one which is close under the forti-
fications. and was protected by two pa
troll boats. Then n start was made 10
cut the cable on the other side OF the
island.
Al Z A. NJ. the St. Louis fred it's first
TO Santiago harbOr. and. after a little
time the fire was returned by one gun,
which must have been a two-pounder.
Al A. NJ the st. Louis was about two
miles distant from the forts. which SEEM
ed 10 be unprotected by modern guns.
After two hours In graphing I'm 200
fathoms the cable had not been found.
AT l2:l5 r. VI. the guns OF MORO castle
opened fire followed by the shore bat
terry on the sougherly point, and also that
OF the westerly battery.
SlLENCED HER GUNS.
The St. Louis kept up a constant fire
from her bow guns, and soon succeeded
In siencing the guns OF Moro Castle.
The garrison of Spaniards could be seen
running I'm all directions. Most OF the
shots from the forts fell short OF the
ship Shells from the mortar battery
went over the cruiser, and exploded IN
the water quite close TO the ST. Louis.
The mortar battery ceased at 1856. after
a fusilade of 'foriy-one minutes.
After finding. the cable was grappled.
hauled on board and cut. The ST. LOUIS
crew behaved in a very cool manner
under fire. and Captains Goodrich and
Randle. the latter OF the American line,
at tho close Of the engagement, COM
plimented all hands for their bravery"
Captain Randie says there is mis-
take OF a day IN the date Of the bonn
bardment of Santiago dc Cuba,as given
in the copy Of the cruisers log. After
graphing on May 18th. when the st
Louis had TO slip away on account OF the
presence OF two Spanish gunboats. the
cruiser and the Wampatuck remained
out Of sight OF Santiago all the next
day.
THD COMMANDMENT.
The bombardment took place. as de-
scribed by Captain Randle, on May Rth.
MORO Castle was practically undetended'
but the new forts on the shores Kept
up a savage fire. The cruisers SIX
Founders not being able 20 .each the
mortar battery aefter a cable had been
cut. the st. Louis and her consort re-
tired During the bombardment. the ~.
Louis fred 172 shots and the Wampatuch
fred IS rounds.
That night. Captain Randle says. the
cruiser and the Wampatuck lay twenty
miles TO the southwark Of Santiago, ana
on the morning OF May 18th. preceded TO
CONTINUED on Eighth Pase.) -.