The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-27
ADMIRAL SIMPSONS
OFFICIAL REPORT
tConciuded from Page IL

commanded and directed the fighting
of the Fourth division with splendid
effect.
Il would commend the highly meri-
torious conduct and courage in the en-
gagement of Lieutenant Commander
n. L. Mason, the executive officer,
whose presence everywhere over the
ship during it's continuance did much
to secure the good result of this ships
part in the victory.
"The navigator Lieutenant a. d.
Hoddson. and the division officers,
Lieutenant T. d. Griffin. Lieutenant
w. r. Rush, Lieutenant Edward w.
Simpson. Lieutenant w. S. Doyle, En-
sign Charles Webster and the Junior
divisional officers were most steady
and conspicuous in every detail OF
duty, contributing to the accurate fir
ing of this ship in her part of the
great victory of your forces.
The officers of the medical, pay and
engineer and marine corps responded
to ever. demand of the occasion and
We're fearless in exposing themselves.
The warrant officers, Boatswain Will
liam l.. Hill, Carpenter G.. H. Warford
and Gunner F. T. Applegate were
everywhere exposed, in watching for
damage. reports of which were prompt
ly conveyed to me.
BRAVERY OF THE CREWS.
Il have never in my life served with
a braver, better or worthier crew than
that of the Brooklyn. During the COM
bat. lasting from 9.35 until lis p. m,
much Of the time under fire, they never
tagged for a moment and were appar-
entity undisturbed by the storm of pro-
jecties passing ahead, and over the
ship.
THE result of the engagement was
the destruction of the Spanish squad
ron and the capture of the admiral and
some 1900 prisoners with the loss of
several hundred killed, estimated by
Admiral cervera at 600 men.
The casualties on hoard the ship
were: G. II. Ellis, chief yeoman,
killed: j. Burns. fireman, first class
severely wounded. The marks and
scars show that the ship was struck
about twenty-five times and she bears
in all fortv-one scars as the result Of
her participation in the great victory
of your force on July g. 1898. The
speed-cone halliards were shot away
and nearly all the signal hallards. The
in pieces.
"I congratulate you most sincerely
upon this great victory to the squadron
under your command and / am glad 1
had an opportunity to contribute in the
least to victory that seems big
enough for all Of us.
II have the honor to transmit here
with the report of the commanding Of
fcer and a drawing in profile of the
ship showing the location of hits and
scars; also A memorandum of the am
munition expended and the amount to
fill her allowance.
CERVERA's PLANS.
Since writing this and holding con-
versation with several of the captains
viz, CAPTAIN Eulate. of the Vizcaya
and the second in command of the Co
Ion, Commander Contreras, / have
learned that the Spanish admirals
scheme was To concentrate all fire for a
while on the Brooklyn, and the Nizcaya
to ram her. in hopes if they could de.
stroy her, the chance of escape would
be increased as il was supposed sht
was the swiftest ship of your squad.
ron. This explains the heavy fire men
toned and the Nizcaya's action in the
earlier moments Of the engagement
The execution of this purpose was
promptly defeated by the fact that al
the, ships of the squadron advanced
into close range and opened an ire
.sistably furious and terrific fire upor
the enemys squadron as it was COM
ing out of the harbor.
II am glad to say that the injury
supposed to be below the water lint
was due to water valve being opened
from some unknown cause and foodn:
the compartment. The injury to tn,
belt is found to be only slight and tn,
leak small.
Il beg to enclose a list of the Off
GERS ana cre% who participated in tn
combat of July 8, 1898.
II cannot close this report withou
mentioning IN high terms of praise tn
splendid conduct and support of Cap
tain c. K. Clark, of the oregon. He
sIeed was wonderful and her accurat
fire splendidly destructive
VERY respectfully,
wv. S. Schley,
"Commodore. United States navy
commanding Second squadron, Nortl
Atlantic Fleet.
The Conmander-in-C n-Chlef, Unite,
States Naval Force. North Atlanti
Station"