New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-15
THE FIGHT AT MANILA
COMMANDER WOODS REPoRT-GALLANT
ACTIONS OF THE PETRELs CREW.

Washington. June 14.-A mail report just re-
ceived at the Navy Department from Com
mander F. p Wood, OF the gunboat Petrol.
under date ot May +. gives Interesting ac-
count OF the engagement at Mania Bay sup
Elementary TO the report Of Admiral Dewey.
After telling substantially set out in Ad-
rniral Dewey's report OF the forcing Of the en-
trance TO the bay. Commander Wood describes
the action with the Spanish forts and fleet.
He says the column Of American ships circled
three times from east 10 west in front OF shore,
standing In q little nearer each time. the hrst
circle being distant about 3 900 yards. and the
third about 800 yards Several times the yes
sels had to cease firing on account or smoke ana
to ecOnOmlZc ammunition.
Most OF the great gun fire was al the helha
Crlstira and the Castillo. the former stearning
around the harbor, and the latter anchored
about 1--WE hundred yards off Sangley Point but
the other and smaller vessels were fred at when
opportunity offered The fire of the rapid-hre guns
was aimed especially at yellow launch which
was q torpedo boat trying 70 turn the American
flank The navigator, Il. A. Flske was stationed
In the topmast with stadimeter to determine
the distance and report upon the efficiency Of
the FIRE
interrupted at 7:30 o'clock in order to give the
men breakfast. When IL was resumed the
Petrol rounded Sangey Point about five nun
dred yards outside OF where the Castillo was
burning The fire vas then directed al the Don
Autonia de Ulloa. and when It was found that
she was sinking and deserted the Petrol passed
inside and opened fire upon the ships behind the
inner breakwater, whose masts were seen above
the Government buildings. During the fire on
the Jlloa a white flag with q Geneva cross
was discovered in range Of her. so the Petrol
moved in further to get II out OF range.
After the first TWO three shots fired through
the public buildings at ships behind the Mole.
the Spanish flag was at IL 80 y m hauled down
and a white flag run up. The surrender was
Immediately sgnalled to the fleet and firing
ceased In obedience 10 a signal from the flag
ebin 10 destroy all the shipping In the harDOr.
lieutenant Hughes was sent with a whaebOat
and crew Of seven men, this whalebOat being
the only one on the ships which would float, and
set ere to the Don Juan de Austria. the Isla de
Cuba, the Isla de Luzon the 1eheraI LenZO ana
the Marquis del Duero.
Afterward Ensign Fermier was sent TO set
nre TO the Velasco and hi Correo. The lsla de
1uba the Isla de Luzon and the Don Juan de
austria were aground and full Of water when
thnv we're fred. Their outboard valves were
opened and the ships were allowed TO MI Inc
oes ard could not be found. During the night
1tn ,he "i magazines Of tie Don Juan de Aus
tria blew up the Mania Mania na.s was not oarnsd &
te not destroyed. being unarmed and
coast survey vessel so she was put under
ot~am and brought out. The ulloa was sunk
steam hHI hThrtstna and the Castillo were burned
az ai'u ,hn onter harbor. Lieutenant Fiske, Of the
ua.rnI m went ashore and brought or two tug
fet.e' "a three steam launches There were
ooh'S .roIties. the ship was truck only once,
heneath the hawser-pipe, by piece OF shell,
which burst just as IL SAM ing'e rw vas me
,aot VIZ" confusion in the arsenal. The men
greatest ONd and we're moving about but
yhaeed We're al no evidence of desire to continue
nghting ,,,rg the destruction OF their
ihs'eau cnnish sailors were rather inclined
ships ps,s, sse and TO surrender to the first officer
thai they could meet - ,.s oor,u.,o, ,,,
oh .ne - target practice. the loading was
at "a oroaI ana the fre deliberate. The conduct Of
each and every officer and man aas Was excellent,
Coiiii'nn,I o,Iantry of Lieutenant Hughes. In taxi
to 'hs boat, boat crew OF seven men, and, in the
ing q large force on shore. setting fire to the
FIVE ships.
s VIM. Hunorous
out to-day Sc Weekly.
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