The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-15

capped unframed for our fire was delivered
so accurately and rapidly, and with such
deadly effect. that it is claimed they were
not able to aim their guns after the great
est difficulty in loading them 1t is now esti-
mated that the number of Spanish killed
and wounded Will reach $500.
that vessel to have been completely riddled.
There is not single foot of that portion of
the ship that Is above water that is not pen
etrated, and the rigging hangs in shreds A
projectie from the starboard eght-inch
gun of the Olympia is known to have struck
the Reina Christina squarely In her stern
as she was retreating. For their own per-
sonal information officers made an examina-
ton of the Reina Christina and found a
hole large enough for a Shetland pony to
walk through very comfortably. Immedi-
ately after this shot raking her fore and
this time the Spanish admiral had his flag
transferred to the Castillo, which also soon
went down under the concentrated fire of
our fleet. The Reina Christina burned rap
idly, and as her magazines exploded a wild
cheer went up from the United States fleet.
The main and secondary batteries of
the Olympia fired thirty-six rounds of eight
inch shells Weighing $50 pounds each, PSI
five-inch shells weighing fifty pounds each,
shells, making 1910 pounds of deadly ma
terial thrown at the enemy from this one
vessel in less than four hours Besides
this LOCO rounds of As caliber cartridges
were fired by sharpshooters Am not in
position to estimate the quantity of ammu-
milton expended by the other vessels, but,
would be astounding. Several tugs and
small steamers carrying supplies to the
Spaniards here have been seized. The Con-
cord and Boston, returning from convoy
duty, overhauled and captured two small
steamers laden with provisions and live
stock. Their crews were released. but the
ships and cargoeS were retained Fresh
beef and chicken stew are now in order.
greatly to the delectation of officers and
men. This may perhaps seem inhuman,
but under the circumstances every precau-
tion must be taken to protect ourselves and
give the Spaniards no advantage whatever.
Our magazines are not now comfortably
filed and it will be some time before they
can be put in proper condition by shipments
from the States. There is no doubt that if
opportunity favored some patriotic Span
lard would try giving us one-way passage
by the torpedo route. Picket boats and
and any intruder would have difficult time
to land on one of our ships. Commodore
was offered but was declined with compl-
ments to the defeated officer upon his brav
cry,
arations had been made by the combined
Spanish land and naval forces for grand
demonstration to celebrate the victory
lean fleet. The celebration was to have oc-
Cured Immediately after the battle An ex-
tensive and elaborate programme had been
arranged, with bull fight as the special
feature. Manila papers had published sup
Elemental cartoons with American en-
sign fringed in black lace, with the red,
yellow red floating triumphantly over it,
In these publications were many biting al
lusions to the American pigs further
arrangement was for the Spanish ships.
with flags flying, to parade the harbor in
single file, and on passing the forts they
returned gun for gun by the different ships.
All manner of wagers were posted as to
how long our squadron would last, and
there was much speculation as to what
disposition would be made of prisoners of
war and captured vessels. The papers were
confident that we could not pass the forts
n1a1 ,IY,1a rit1 win
dor island These facts were substantiated
by the many merchantmen in the harbor
who witnessed the ante-confict perform
ances and had conversed with the enthusi-'
astic Spaniards."