The Meeker herald., 1898-07-09

psitSu uOut 3O1ueu AkOu 10 l'ofL All
tonic, Jamaica, thence to Kingston. ia.
maica. Mondny.-Scattered along the
shore for n distance of two miles to the
west of Morro castle now lie the ar.
mored cruisers and torpedo boat de.
s,rcyers that composed Admiral Ger.
veras fleet.
In running fight of two hours these
vessels. the cream Of the Spanish navy
were almost annihilated this morning
by the powerful ships of Admiral
Sampson's fleet. under the immediate
command OF Commodore Schley.
Sunday quiet r>Gted over the en-
trance to Santiago harbor. and no
signs of life We're visible about old
Moro. Beyond end toward the city
of Santiago all WAS still. After two
days of fighting the armies of both
nations We're resting in their trenches
on this way for distance OF half
dozen miles from shore the vessels
of Admiral Sampson's fleet lay lnZily
at anchor.
admiral Sampson, desiring to nscer.
tain the exact condition of the Span
ish coast defenses about Aguadores
ordered the flagship to go that way
Weighing anchor. the New York leis-
urely steamed OF to the eastward.
Idle thoughts occupied the minds of
the men In the fleet. They We're spec
ulating, rs they had been for weeks,
when would come their opportunity 10
get ar the Spanish fleet In the inner
harbor.
Suddenly as Il flash. at hnif past 8
o'clock. Il vessel appeared near the en-
trance to the harbor. She was throw
ing out great black clouds OF smoke
and was pointing straight toward the
American fleet.
The ease of the American officers
and sailors was rudeiy disturbed.
They had grabbed their glasses. scan
ned the harbor entrance. and We're
amazed to discover that an armored
cruiser was coming o.i.
In the absence Of Admiral Sampson.
Commodore Schley. from the Brook
lyn, ordered the American warships to
rush in shore. In few moments 1t
was seen that the vessel emitting such
clouds of smoke was the Cristobal Co
lon. Admiral Ccryera's flagship. She
had passed the wreck of the Merrimac
and was making for the sea ut full
speed.
Before Commodore Schley and his
men could recover from their surprise
other clouds of smoke came into view
beyond the Cristobal Colon. With n
rush fully equal to that of the Span
ish flagship. the Alnirante OquendO
came toward the open sea.
Behind her came the Vizcnyn. also at
full speed. while the rear was brought
up by the Infanta Maria Teresa and
the two torpedo boat destrOyers, the
Furor and the Pluton. This stirring
scene. so dramatic and so unexpected.
quickly put the captain of every Amer
lean vessel on his mettle.
'Cervcra's trying to escape" waSthe
cry that resounded through the fleet.
Every American vessel quickly
weighed anchor The engines were
started. and one by one the great
American warships mace ready for
battle. Every man scarnpered to his
gun and the captains. knowing that
Admiral Sampson had gone along the
coast. eagerly watched the Brooklyn.
Commodore Schley's flagship.
In few moments the Rcsolute was
speeding to the eastward after the
New York. but the advance of the
Spanish fleet was so rapid that our
men could not wait for Admiral Samp-
son to get back. Just as the Cristobal
Colon was poliing her nose out into the
open sea, Commodore Schley sent the
Brooklyn madly rushing to the west
ward to head on Cervera's IS flagship. He
ordered the Massachusetts and Oregon
to follow after. at the same time order
Ing the Indiana. Iowa and Texas to in
tercept the other ships Of the escaping
fleet. Then began one of the greatest
sea fights in history.
1t is not known whether Admiral
Cervera had blown up the Merrimac or
passed it in single column. His ship.
the Cristobal Colon. glifed ont of the
harbor and shot to the westward her
two tunnels and hight black bulwarks
showing plain against the green hills.
her pennant and the Spanish red and
yellow ensign lashing out In few
seconds the American fleet was In mo-
tfOn. the Indiana. which was closest,
heading straight In shore to get close
range.
The Spaninrd opened fire with an H.
inch Honotorin and mighty fountains of
water ROSE about the battfesf,Ip,s
weather decks, The shell fell near her
bow. The Indiann replied with her H.
inch guns. and n monmpnt later let 60
everything that could he brought to
bear. One of,the first shells fell on the
Spanish cruisers deck.
Cervera was going past and the In.
diana rounded to give him broudside
and then. ns tine Iowa and the Texas
opened on him. the doomed admiral
turned to the harbOr mouth, where the
Almirante OInendo was Just coming
into view.
At first one could scarcely believe
his eyes. hut when the OQuendo np
Deared and steamed swiftly westward
into the smoke and lightning where
Cervera's fing still few. it flashed upor
us that there was to be history max
ing indeed. 1t was a sublime spectacle
OF desperate admiral who had de.
cided to give battle against overwhelm
ing odds In the open water rather than
remain and blow up his own ships In
the harbor OF the beleagueretl city.
Cervera's flag was hidden for n time
as he fied westward. his port broad
side emitting flashes and tongues, OF
flames which marked his progress
For the next fyq minutp% no ran .