Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-09
DEWEY'S VICTORY.

WopyrgAt. 1898 by The Associated Press.)
Hong Kong, May THE order of
battle assumed by the Spanish was
with all the small craft inside Cavite
harbor, behind stone and timber break
waters and with the larger ships cruis-
ing off Cavite and Manila.
No patrol had been established, nor
was any searchlght placed at the en-
trance to the bay
On Saturday night the American
ships creot inside the bay without be-
ing seen until the McCuloch's funnel
emitted a spark. Then few shots
were exchanged with Corregidor is
land. but the fleet never stopped or
slowed down opposite the city until
dawn.
The Spanish ships then opened fire.
supported by the Cavite forts. The Nc
Culloch remained at some distance and
the enemy's shells passed but did not
touch her The cruiser Baltimore suf-
fered the most of any of the American
ships.
Five or 10 shots took effect on her.
but none of her officers or crew was
seriously hurt. Only a few slight in
juries were suffered by the American
fleet. the worst of which resulted from.
an explosion of ammunition on the
deck of the Baltimore. The other ships
Of the fleet We're practically unhurt.
One hundred and fifty Spaniards were
killed and many were wounded The
cruiser Reina Christina was the worst
damaged of the Spanish ships. and it is
believed that she was sunk The other
ships Of the SDaniards were quickly
rddled by the Americans fire Two
torpedo boats from Cavite were quick
~ driven to return to that place for
shelter.
The Cavite arsenal exploded and 60
Spaniards We're killed. The forts made
a nominal resistance. The city has not
capitulated. and the Snanards ashore
are still defiant
1t is said that the Spanish ships did not
get under steam until after the alarm
was given. Ii is also said that the Span
sh commander informed the governor
that it was advisable to surrender
in the interests Of humanity as it was
impossibly to resist successfully for that.
but he and his men were willing enough
to fight and die
Even when the Spanish flagship was
half shot away, her commander though
wounded. refused to leave the bridge until
the ship was burning and sinking her
stern shattered by a cannon shell and the
steam pipes burst
AS Yet there are no further details of
the fighting. After it was over Commo-
dore Dewey sent an ultimatum to the city
battery, ordering it to cease firing 70 he
would lombard. The Petrol chased a gun
boat up the river passage and the Span
iSh captain came in a boat to negotiate
conditions of surrender The American
captain replied: unconditional surrender
or fight" To this the Spanard answered:
I'VE are willing to fight. Please allow us
to send for ammunition, because our
store is exhausted
ON a proposal to the existing authorities
to temporarily continue under the Ameri-
can flag, pending the termination of the
war; the Spaniar1s delayed their decision
ana Kept wiring to Madrid. The Ameri
cans requested the privilege of using the
wire, and when this was refused they cut
the cable
The Esmeralda from Hong Kong. ar
lived here right in the middle of the bat |
lie. During the adjournment for break |
asst an American cruiser was detached |
o meet her, as it was believed she might
BE Spaniard. When it was found that
Continued on page %