The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-11
Commander of the Oregon Tells of
the Work Done by His Battle Ship
I'm Running Down the Enemy.
PRAISE FOR HIS BRAVE MEN
BUT FOR THEIR SKILL TWO OF THE
SHIPS MIGHT HAVE ESCAPED.
Incidents of the Engagement, as
Viewed from the Vixen-Time of
Action Carefully Noted.
Copyright. 1898. by the Associated Press,

Copyright. 1898, by the Associated Press)
OFF GUANTANAMO, Saturday Morning,
July g. per the Associated Press dispatch
boat Wanda, via Port Antonio and King
ston, Jamaica, July 10, noon.-Captain Clark,
of the United States battle ship Oregon,
which did such remarkable work at the ma
val battle off Santiago de Cuba, that result
ed in the destruction of Admiral Cervera S
squadron, says in his official report of the
engagement to Rear Admiral Sampson:
THE Spanish fleet turned to the westward
and opened fire, to which our ships replied
vigorously. For a short time there was an
almost continual flight of projectiles over
the ship, but when our line was fairly en-
gagged the enemy's fire became defective.
AS soon as it was evident that the enemy S
ships were trying to break through ana
escape to the westward we went ahead at
full speed with the determination of carry
ing out to the utmost your instructions:
If the enemy tries to escape, the ships
must close and engage him as soon as pos
sible and endeavor to sink his vessels or
force them to run ashore
1--WE soon passed all of our vessels except
the Brooklyn. AT first we used only the
main battery, but when it was discovered
that the enemy's torpedo boats were follow
ing the ships we used our rapid-tire guns,
as well as the six-inch guns, upon them
with telling effect.
LAS we ranged up near the sternmost of
their ships she headed for the beach, evil
IDENTIFY on fire. We raked her as we passed.
rushing on for the next ahead, using our
starboard guns as they were brought TO
bear, and before we had her fairly abeam
she, too, was making for the beach. The
two remaining vessels were now some dis
lance ahead, but our speed had increased
to sixteen knots and the Vizcaya was soon
sent to the shore and in flames.
only the Cristobal Colon was left and
for time it seemed as If she might escape.
But when we opened with our forward tur-
ret guns and the Brooklyn followed the
Colon began to edge in toward the coast
and her destruction was assured. AS she
struck the beach her flag went down. the
Brooklyn sent a boat to her, and when the
admiral caught UP with the New York.
Texas and Vixen the Cristobal Colon was
taken possession of.
II cannot speak in too high terms of the
bearing and conduct of all on board this
ship. Wher they found the Oregon had
rushed to the trent and was hurrying to a
ST ccession of conflicts with the enemy s
vessels, if they could be overtaken and
would engage, the enthusiasm was intense.
AS these Spanish vessels were so much
more heavily armored than the Brooklyn.
they might have concentrated upon and
overpowered her, Consequently, l am per-
suaded that but for the officers and men of
the Oregon, who steamed and steered the
ship and fought and supplied her batteries,
the Cristobal Colon and perhaps the Viz
caya would have escaped"