Evening star., 1898-05-12

s'iiee'u anu opeHeu IRE on the spanish boats,
which were lying at the docks. The firing
began at 4 range of $500 yards
A few minutes later the Winslow came
up and also opened fire. In an instant the
entire attention OF the Spanish gunboats
and land batteries was directed upon her.
From all sides shot and shell seemed to
pour in upon the little torpedo boat
The Wilmington and the Hudson still
kept up their fire, but they could not turn
aside the terrible storm of fire and death
pouring in upon the torpedo boat
The crew of the Winslow, however, never
faltered for a second. At 2:35 pm. a solid
shot crashed through the hull of the Win
slow and knocked out her boiler. In an
instant she began to roll and drift help
lessly.
Moment of Awful Suspense.
Then there was a moment of awful sus-
pense- y fierce cheer of triumph went up
from the Spaniards on the gunboats and
in the batteries, and again a storm of fire
was opened upon the helpless boat
near by, started to the assistance. of the
Winslow. She ran alongside the torpedo
boat and tried to throw line to the i'm
periled crew.
Up to this time, with the exception of
the one shot, which disabled the boiler
of the Winslow. the firing of the Spanish
gunboats had been wild, but as the Wins
low lay rolling in the water, the range
grew closer and shells began to. explode
all about her.
1t was difficult for the Hudson to get
near enough to throw a line to the Wins
lows crew, so terrible was the fire all about
her.
Finally Got Out "a Line.
fihaiiy' after trying for about twenty
minutes, the Hudson approached near
enough to throw a line
Ensign Bagley and six men were stand
ing in a group on the deck of the Winslow.
'Heave her, Heave herr shouted Bag
ley. as he looked toward the commander
of the Hudson and called for a line.
Don't miss it," shouted an officer from
the Hudson, and, with smile, Bagley
called back: Let her come It's getting
too hot here for comfort
The line was thrown and, at the same
instant, shell burst in the very midst of
the group of men on board the Winslow.
Bagiey was instantly killed and a few
others dropped about him. Half n dozen
more fell groaning on the blooa-sta,nea
oecK- one OF the dead men pitched head
long over the side of the boat, but his feet
caught in the iron rail and ne was hauIed
back.
BaSley Hit Badly
Bagley lay stretched on the deck. with
his face completely torn away and tho mn
per part of his body shattered.
1t was terrible moment The tornedo
boat, disabled and helpless. rolled and
swayed under the fury of the fire from the
Spanish gunboats. When the shell hurst
In the group on board the Winslow another
wild shout Of triumph went up from the
Spanish boats and batteries, and again a
heavy fire was opened on the torpedo boat
Finally the Hudson succeeded in eettin,
line on board the winslow and was tov-
ing her out of the deadly range. when the
line parted, and again both boats were a,
the mercy of the Spanish fire.
Only Three Men Left,
AT $50 pm. the Hudson managed TO get
ano ther line on the deck of the Winslow
but there were only three men left there
| at that time to make 1t fast
The line was finally secured, and the
Winslow was towed up to Pedras Island
where she was anchored. with her dead
| and wounded on her deck. Then some mer
| from the Hudson went on board the Wins.
\ low and took the most seriously wounded
| men OF. Three who were taken on hoard
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