Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-09-03

ing the guns.
Another rendered useless the star
board bow gum while the fire astern
increased, fire was started forward by
another shell, which went through
the hull and exploded on the deck.
The broadside guns being undam-
aged continued firing until there was
only one seaman remaining unhurt
for firing them, as the guns crews
had been frequently called upon to
substitute those charged with steering
all of whom were out of action.
The shin being out of control, the
hull, smokepipe and masts riddled
with shot, the men confused with the
cries of the wounded; half of our crew
out of action, among whom were
seven officers, gave the order to sink
and abandon the ship before the mag
azines should explode. making signal
at the same time to the Cuba and Lu-
zon to assist in saving the rest Of the
crew which they did, aided by others
from the Duero and the arsenal.
| abandoned the Christina, direct.
ing beforehand to secure her flag, and
accompanied by my staff, and with
great sorrow hoisted my flag on the
cruiser Isla de Cuba.
After having saved many men from
the unfortunate vessel, one shell de-
stroyed her heroic commander, Don
Luis Cadarso, who was directing the
rescue.
The Ulloa, which also defended her
self firmly, using the only two guns
which were available, was sunk by a
shell which entered the water line.
/ putting out of action her command
er and half of her remaining crew, the
only one remaining for the service OF
the two guns stated.
The Castillo, which fought heroic
ally, remained with her artillery use
less, except one stern gun with which
she fought spiritedly. She was rid
died with shot and set on fire by the
enemy's shells, then sunk and was
abandoned by her crew In good order,
which was directed by her command
er, Dop Alonza Algado. The casual
ties on this ship were 20 killed and SO
wounded.
The Austria, very much damaged
and on fire, went to the aid of the
Castillo. The Luzon had three guns
dismounted and was slightly damaged
in the hull. The Duero remained
with one OF her engines useless, and
the bow gun of IL centimeter and of
the redoubts.
AT s o'clock in the morning,
the enemy's squadron having sus-
pended, its fire. / ordered the
ships that remained to us to take po-
sitions in the bottom of the roads at
Bacoor, and there to resist to the last
moment. and that they should be
sunk before they surrendered.
AT 10. so the enemy returned, form
ing circle to destroy the arsenal and
the ships which remained to me,
opening upon them horrible fire,
which we answered as far as we could
with the few cannon which we still
had mounted.
There remained the last recourse to
sink our vessels, and we accomplish
ed this operation, taking care to save
the flag, the distinguished penuant,
the money in the safe. the. portable
arms. the breech plugs Of the guns
and the signal codes.
Afterward / went with my staff to
the convent OF Santo Domingo de
Cavite to be cured of wound receiv-
ed in the left leg, and to telegraph
brief report of the action, with prelim-
inaries and results.
1t remains only to say that all the
chiefs, officers, engineers, quartermas-
tiers, gunners, sailors and soldiers RI
vailed one another in sustaining with
honor the good name of the navy on
this sad day.
The ineficiency OF the vessels which
composed my little squadron, the lack
Of all classes of the personnel, espec-
tally master gunners and seaman gun
ners, the iraptitude Iof some of the
provisional machinists, the scarcity
Of rapid-fre cannon, the strong crews
Of the enemy, and the unprotected
character of the greater part OF our
vessels-all contributed to make more
decided the sacrifice which we made