Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-07-13

obliged to tell the whole story Of the
memorable contest. While in the main
their accounts did not differ ma toriaIIy
from the press dispatches, yet they seem
to give credit to the work of the Oregon.
From an account, as given by one Of
ficer, it appears that on the morning of
the fight, four American warshps lay off
the entrance to the harbOr. The Oregon
was slightly to the east; then to the west
ward came the converted yacht Gloucester,
lying between the Oregon and Iowa. To
the westward Of the Iowa was the Texas.
while further along, in fact eight Or ton
miles to the west of the harbor, was the
Brooklyn with Commodore Schley on
board.
Mapped Out by Sampson.
The position of the fleet was in keeping
with the plan mapped out by Admiral
Sampson, and his command had definite
orders in case the Spanish fleet made a
dash out of the harbor. While all the
ships had steam up none of them, with
the exception of the Brooklyn, was under
way. The latter had a few minutes pre-
vious to the sighting of the Spaniards
turned away 20 the westward, and when
the first shot was heard from the Iowa
she was going away from the fleet IT
about an Sknot gait.
Just why the Brooklyn was steaming off
to the west at this time is not known.
but although she had not gone far and
was still probably quite near the sta
ton designated by Admiral Sampson, her
commander nevertheless had to swing
round, and in doing so he put his helm to
starboard and made long sweep to port,
going a mile or more off shore in the
maneuver. The first Spaniard that came
rushing out of the harbor's mouth was the
Cristobal Colon with Admiral Cervera on
board, the ViZcaya was second, the AL
mirante Oquendo third and the Maria Te-
destroyers brought up the rear.
Oregon's 13-Inch Shell.
While the Iowa got in the first lick at
the feet as they came dashing by, the Ore
gOn was the first American outside the
Brooklyn in motion. She gathered head
way so fast that she cut in between the
Iowa and the fleet and pumped good
13-inch at the Colon before she had gone
by. The Oregon was therefore in Il most
excellent position to meet the Vizcaya
when she came along and with the help
of the Texas tackled her SO fercely that
she was on fire in a few minutes and had
headed for the beach. While the Ore
CONS whole forward starboard battery
was banging at the Vizcaya. the after
guns had swung around and were pump
ing shells into the Oquendo. which also
had been tackled by the Iowa. which in
the meantime had disposed of the Teresa
The wreck of the three Spaniards was ac-
cOmplished in about fifteen or twenty min
ties and by this time the Oregon had at
aimed her maximum speed. With her
orced draught on and every pound of
steam up the big Pacific coast battleship
plOwed through the water as she never did
before except perhaps on her speedy trial
three years ago.
Leaving the Texas and Iowa to COM
plete the destruction Of the remainder of
the Spaniards and the rescue of the sail
ors Capt. Clark headed the Oregon after
the Colon.
Brooklyn Hit Many Times.
The Brooklyn by this time had taken
her wide sweep off shore and was headed
in for the Colon, opening up on that YES
sci with her port broadsides. AS the
Colon ran by the Brooklyn she gave the
latter the benefit of her big guns and no
less than thirty shots took effect on the
BrOOklyn's port side, a number of them
passing clear through the Yankee cruiser.
AS the Colon went by the Brooklyn the
latter turned her starboard guns on the
Spaniard. In the run up the coast the
Brooklyn was hit a dozen times on her
starboard side. while all three of her tall
smOkestacks showed the effects of the
COlOnS stern chasers.
The superior speed of the Brooklyn and
Oregon sealed the fate of the Colon, and
after a run of forty miles Admiral Ger
vera ordered the flagship to be headed for
the shore.
The Colon struck about $50 yards from
the beach. and as soon as she had ground
ed Admiral Cervera ordered everyone to
jump overheard, and plunged into the sea
himself, followed by al his officers.
Gloucester in at the Finish.
The little Gloucester after destroying
the tOrpedo-boat destrOyers, turned after
the Oregon, and made such good time that
she was up even with the Colon when she
ran ashore. AS she drew considerable less
water than either the Oregon or Brooklyn,
her commander, Lieu Commander Vain
wright was able to run in quite close
to the stranded Spanish ship, and the
Gloucester's boats were sent out after the
swimming crew. Admiral Cervera was
picked up just outside the surf, about ten
yards from shore, and after his long
swim, was thoroughly exhausted.
The Colon had just turned in shore
when the New \ ork came up, after a
long and quick run. The flagship was
enable to get in a dozen good shots before
the Colons flag came down, so that Ad-
miral Sampson had a hand in the fight,
although it was brief. 1t will be seen,
therefore. that the Oregon, while the
most Eastern of all the American ships,
nevertheless was enabled by her superior
speed to have a hand in the destruction
Of all four of the Spanish cruisers. and
was the only one of the fleet that did.
Following is a list of the captured Of
fcers brought by the st. Louis:
From the vizcaya-Capt. Eulate, Second
Capt Roldan, Lieuts Capriles, Querija,
Suanzes, Lenjo and Pazos; Ensigns Costro
Castanada, ManjOn and SCbrini; Chaplain
Biesa, Surgeon Turada, Cadets Morris,
Marjon, Vega, Quesada, Fossil Obertin and
Bentitz, captain of infantry.
From the Cristobal COlOn-COmmodore
Don Jose Paroles, Capt Moreu. Captain Of
Marines Leon, Lieuts. Marina Bulron, Cal
and Peredes; Surgeon Numoz, Sub-Lieuts.
Orinciba and Victor Lorbe Paymaster Co
banillaz, Second Surgeon Mono-Zoz, Chap
lain Gronero, Engineer Chapelle.
From the Maria Teresa-Admiral Cervera,
Commander Maccrohan, PaymaSter MelladO
Lieuts BruquetaS. lrnaz, Ceron, Cervera
and CarrascO; Ensign Moreno.
From the Furor-Lieut. earlier, Engineer
Curnca.
From the Pluton-Lieut. Vosca, Ensign
Bordo-
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