Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-30
CAPTAIN CLARK.
The Commander of the Oregon Tells Of
His Share in the Great
Battle

United States Steamship Oregon, or
Santiago de Cuba, July 4. 1898.
Sir: have the honor to report that.
at $3.50 a. M, yesterday. the Spanish
feet was discovered standing out of
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba They
turned TO the westward and opened
fire, to which our ships replied vigor-
ously. For a short time there was an
almost continuous flight of projectiles
over this ship. but when our line was
fairly engaged, and the Iowa had made
. swift advance as IL TO ram or close.
the enemy's fire became defective in
train as well as range. The ship was
only struck three times, and at least
two of them were by fragments OF
shells We had no casualties.
AS soon as 1t was evident that the
enemy's ships were trying TO break
through and escape 10 the westward,
we went ahead at full speed. with the
determination of carrying out to the
utmost, your order: IF the enemy
tries to escape the ships must close
and engage as soon as possible and en-
deavor To sink his vessels or force them
TO run ashore" We soon passed all of
our ships except the Brooklyn. bearing
the broad pendant of Commodore
Schley. At first we only used our main
battery. but when II was discovered
that the enemy's torpedo boats were
following their ships we used our rapIu
fire guns as well as the So upon them
with telling effect. AS we ranged up
near the sternmost of their ships she
headed for the beach. evidently on fire.
We raked her as we passed, pushing
on for the next ahead, using our star
board guns as they were brought to
| bear, and before we had her fairly
abeam she too was making for the
I beach. The two remaining vessels were
. now some distance ahead, but our speed
( had increased to 16 knots and our fire.
added to that of the Brooklyn, soon
sent another. the Vizcaya- to the shore
( in flames Only the Cristobal Colon was
left, and for a time Il seemed as IL she
| might escape. but when we opened
with our forward turret guns and the
Brooklyn followed she began TO edge
in towards the coast, and her capture
! or destruction was assured AS she
struck the beach her flag came down
and the Brooklyn signaled cease
| firing" following IT with "Congratu-
lations for the grand victory; thanks
for your splendid assistance"
The Brooklyn sent boat to her, and
| when the admiral came UP. with thu
New York, and Texas, and Vixen. sh'
was taken possession OF. A prize crew
was put on board from this ship undei
Lieutenant Commander CoEswelI. TIT
executive officer, but before II D. m.
the ship. which had been filling fl
spite OF all efforts to stop leaks. wa
abandoned. and just as the crew ief
she went over on her side.
cannot speak in too high terms O
the bearing and conduct OF ali o.
board this ship. When they found tn
, Oregon had pushed to the front. an
! was hurryins TO a succession Of con
fiicts with the enemy's vessels II the
could be overtalSen, and would engage
their enthusiasm was intense.
AS these vessels were so much NOR
heavily armored than the Broolxly
they might have concentrated upon an
overpowered her. and consequently
am persuaded that, but for the way tn
officers and men of the Oregon steame
and steered the ship and fought an
supplied the batteries. the Colon an
perhaps the Vizcaya would have es
capped. Therefore feel that they rer
dered meritorious service to the cour
try. and while / cannot mention I'll
i name of each officer and man ind
{ vidually, am going to append list
the officers, with the stations that the
Q occupied, hoping that they may be
service to them should the claims ,
others for advancement above thel
u ever be considered.
c. r. CLARK,
III