Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-27

W. Wells. Jr.. who commanded and direct
ed the fighting of the fourth division with
splendid effect.
"Tenth-I would commend the highly
meritorious conduct and courage in the
engagement of Lieutenant Commander N.
E. Mason, the executive officer, whose pres
ence everywhere over the ship during its
continuance did much to secure the good
result of this ships part in the victory.
"Eleventh-The navigator, Lieutenant A.
c. Hodgson. and the division officers. Lieu
tenant T. D. Griffin, Lieutenant w. r.
Bush, Lieutenant Edward Simpson. Lieu
tenant ]. G, Doyle. Ensign Charles Web
ster and the Junior divisional officers were
most steady and conspicuous in every de-
tail of duty contributing to the accurate
firing Of this ship in her part of the great
victory of your forces.
''Twelfth-The officers of the medical, pay
and engineer and marine corps responded
to every demand of the occasion and were
fearless in exposing themselves. The war
rant officers, Boatswain William L. Hill,
Carpenter G. H. Warford and Gunner F.
T. Applegate, were everywhere exposed, in
watching for damage, reports of which
Were promptly conveyed to me.
High Praise for Brooklyn's Crew.
'Thirteenth-I have never in my life
served with braver, better or worthier
crew than that Of the Brooklyn. During
the combat lasting from 9:35 a. m. until
l:l5 p. m, much of the time under fire.
they never tagged for moment and were
apparently undisturbed by the storm of
| projectiles passing ahead, astern and over
the Ships
"Fourteenth-The result Of the engage
ment was the destruction of the Spanish
squadron and the capture of the admiral
and some thirteen to fifteen hundred pris-
oners, with the loss of several hundred
killed, estimated by Admiral Cervera at
900 men.
'Fffteenth-The casualties on board this
ship were: G. H. Ellis. chief yeoman,
killed; j. Burns. fireman, first class, Sc
verely wounded. The marks and scars
show that the ship was struck about twen-
ty-five times, and she bears in all forty
one scars as the result of her participa-
ton in the great victory of your force on
July g. 1888. The speedcone halliards were
| shot away. and nearly all the signal hal
liards. The ensign at the main was so
shattered that in hauling 1t down at the
| close Of the action it fell in pieces.
Admiral Sampson Congratulated.
Sixteenth congratulate you most sin.
cerely upon this great victory to the squad.
ron under your command, and 1 am glad
| that had an opportunity to contribute
| in the least to victory that seems biz
| enough for all of us.
"Seventeenth-I have the honor TO trans.
init herewith the report of the command.
! Ing officer and drawing in profile of the
| ship, showing the location of hits and scars
| also memorandum of ammunition ex.
pended and the amount to fill her allow.
ance.
| 'Eighteenth-Since reaching this place
and holding conversation with several Of
the captains. viz, Captain EuIate, of the
| ViZcaya, and the second in command OF
the Colon, Commander Contreras. 1 hav.
learned that the Spanish admirars schem.
! was to concentrate all fire for while or
the Brooklyn. and the Vizcaya to ram her
| in hopes that IL they could destroy her
the chance to escape would be increased
| as 1t was supposed she was the swiftes
| snip OF your squadron. This explains til,
heavy fire mentioned and the Vizcaya':
action in the earlier moments of the en-
| gagement. The execution of this purpos,
| was promptly defeated by the fact tha
| all the ships of the squadron advanced in
to close range and opened an irresistibl,
furious and terrific fire upon the enemy.
squadron as it was coming out of the har
| Dor.
Nineteenth-I am glad 10 say that tn
| injury supposed to be below water line wa
| due to water valve being opened from
some unknown cause and flooding the com
partment. The injury to the belt is foun,
to be only slight and the leak small.
'Twentieth-I beg to enclose a list Of tn
officers and crew who participated in tn
| combat of July g. 1888.
| ''Twenty-first-I cannot close this repor
without mentioning In high terms of prais
the splendid conduct and support of Cap
tain c. E. Clarke, of the Oregon He
speed was wonderful and her accurate fir
splendidly destructive. Very respectfully,
''W. 8. SCHLEY.
| Commodore United States Navy.
Commanding Second Squadron North AT
lantic Fleet"
ITO the Commander-in-Chief, United State
Naval Force, North Atlantic Station"