The record-union., 1898-07-24
FURIOUS BATTLE AT NIPE.
Spanish Gunboat Sunk and Forts
Sileuced

KEY WEST, July 2o.-(11:o0 a. MI
Acting under orders from Admiral
Sampson, four American warships on
Thursday afternoon last entered the
harbor Of Nipe, on the northeast coast
ofethe Province Of Santiago de Cuba,
and after furious bombardment took
possession of the harbor as a base Of
operations for the Porto Rican cam
paign. 1t is understood however. that
the plans have been changed since in
consequence of the occupation of San
tiago by the United States forces, and
that Nipe will not be used for the pur-
pose originally intended.
The war vessels engaged were the
Topeka, Annapolis, Wasp and Leyden
In the course of an hour they silenced
the forts, sunk the Spanish gunboat
Jorge Juan and scattered Spanish rifle
men who had taken part in the engage
ment.
For week or more the Topeka had
been blockading the northeastern coast
between Cape Lucretia and Point Ca
bonico with strict orders from Commo-
dore Howell not to attempt an en-
trance into any of the harbors. A few
days ago while cruising past Nipe,
which Is about midway in the blockade
line and directly across the island from
the city of Santiago, an armored launch
about 100 feet long came out and fired
two shells, both of which, however, fell
short. The Topeka returned the fire
and chased the launch into the harbor,
but in consequence of Commodore
HowelPs order could not follow her in.
On Tuesday the Annapolis Wasp
and Leyden came from Santiago and
Captain Hunker Of the napolis, who
was ranking officer. was surprised to
learn that Nipe had not been taken.
Admiral Sampson had understood that
this had been done, and had orders for
the monitors detailed for the Porto Ri
can campaign TO rendezvous there.
When the situation had been cleared
up, Captain Hunker ordered the ships
to go in. The Wasp and Leyden, being
the smallest led the way, followed by
the Annapolis, while the Topeka, which
carried a heavier battery, brought up
the rear
The channel leading into the harbor
was very narrow, and on a bluff to the
right, called "Galory Point" was a fort
and a signal station. AS the American
ships entered the Spanards We're sig
mailing in lively fashion, apparently
notifying the Spanish ships in the har-
bor, which We're the Jorge Juan two
smaller gunboats and the armored
launch. AS the Wasp and Leyden
rounded the point the fort fired a dozen
shots, none of which, however. fell near
them and the Topeka returned the fire
With her 3-pounders.
A body Of rifiemen on the beach re
ha fro fax will chn
but they were quickly dispersed by the
Topeka's smaller guns The Topeka
also discharged one of the torpedoes.
At the same time another small fort
TO the left of the channel fired on the
American ships but it was silenced as
easily as the other
In the meanwhile the Wasp and Ley
den had taken up a position in the
northwestern portion Of the harbor and
opened fire across the water at the
Jorge Juan, which lay to the southeast.
in front of the town of Mayari Her
position was about a mile and quar-
ter from the beach and behind her a
third fort stood on an imminence. This
fort opened on the Wasp and Leyden,
and as the Annapolis and Topeka came
up the Spanish gunboat joined in the
HSHl. anu IL SeHeTdl Ddltls lGliOWGQ.
The Topeka anchored in the middle Of
the harbor. about 1000 yards from the
Jorge Juan, and the other three Ameri-
can boats drew up on either side and
formed a semi-circle. The Americans
then closed in on the Spanish ships,
pouring in destructive fire. The To-
peka sent 4-inch shells crashing into
the Jorge Juan at such rate that she
sank within twenty minutes.
When the firing became heavier the
officers and crew of the Spaniard put
off in a small boat, made the shore
under the heavy fire and escaped into
the woods Two shots from the Tope-
ka's bow gun fired on an elevation of
4500 yards. dropped square into May
ari. where the Spanish pennants disap-
peared and a white flag was run up.
This ended short. but one of the most
vicious battles of the war.
All of the American ships sent small
boats over to the Spanish gunboat. that
of the Topeka being under command of
Lieutenant Niblack the former naval
attache at Berlin. Vienna and Rome
They found that the Jorge Juan's fore
castle had been entirely ripped away
by the Topeka's 4-inch shells and that
her fore and miz7an rasts and flagstaff
were carried off. 1t Is thought the