The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-24
Greatest Execution Done by the
modore SchIey's Cruiser.
EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSIONS
EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE
FINDING IN THE MAINE CASE,
And Makes More Clear the Fact that
the Battle ship Was Blown Up by
a Submarine or Floating Mine.
of the Associated Press.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 12.-The ac-
curacy of the American gunners during the
fight with Cervera's fleet was simply mar
velous. This is revealed by an examination
of the destroyed ships and is fully supported
by the testimony of the Spanish officers.
''The secondary battery fire of the Brook
lyn was terrible. 1t drove my men from the
guns, and when you were at close range did
frightful work." said Captain Eulate two
days after SchIeys defeat of the Spanish
squadron, and rescue officer of the Oquen-
do said that nearly one-half of the terrible
damage to that ship was done by one and
sx-pounders, which constitute the second
ary battery. The board of survey, ordered
by the commander in chief. found forty-six
six-pounder holes in the Oquendo above her
armor belt and evidence that nearly all had
entered and exploded. In the Vizcaya there
were eleven six-pounder holes and dozens
Of one-pounders, and on these two ships the
tattoo of death-dealng shell must have beea
appalling. The terrible effect of secondary
batteries on the Oquendo Is somewhat ex-
planned by the fact that she was the last
ship out and nearest the torpedo boats, and
the Brooklyn, Texas and Iowa simply rid
died her as she attempted to defend the two
destroyers. The work on the Vizcaya was
apparently done by the Brooklyn alone, be-
cause no other ship was near enough to her
to use the small guns. The men on board
the ships who man these batteries are ma
rines, and they fight them in the most ex-
posed parts of the ships with little or NO
protection.
Capt. Paul ST. Clair Murphy, Of the
present on the ships that did the fighting
on July 3, and he con-mends greatly the
valiant work done by the men in the corps.
Speaking of the men on the Brooklyn. ne
tells one very thrilling incident He says:
when all did their duty manfully it is a
difficult matter to select individuals for spe-
cial mention. There are some. however,
who deserve to be brought to notice by
name for conduct that displayed in con-
spicuous manner courage, intelligence and
devotion to duty During the early part Of
the action a cartridge jammed in the bore
of the starboard forward six points. and IN
the effort to withdraw it the case became
detached from the projectile, leaving the
latter fast in the bore Corporal Robert
Gray of the port guns asked and obtained
permission to attempt to drive the shell out
by means of the hammers. To do this II
ing over the water, end the undertaking was
full of difficulties and danger, the latter
due in great measure to the blast of the
eight-inch turret guns firing overhead. The
gun was hot and it was necessary to cling
TO the jacob ladder with one hand, while en-
deavoring with the other to manipulate the
long rammer. After a brave effort he was
forced to give up and ordered in. Quarter
Gunner Smith then came, sent by Executive
officer Mason, and promptly placed himself
in the dangerous position outside the gun
port wnere he worked, and failed as the
corporal had done. Neither had been able
to get the rammer into the bore, and there
seemed nothing left to do but dismount the
gun. At this juncture, Private MacNeal,
one Of the guns crew, volunteered TO go out
and make final effort. The gun was so
important, the starboard battery being en-
gagged, that as a forlorn hope he was per-
mitted to make the attempt. He pushed out
boldly and set to work. The guns of the
forward eight-inch turret were firing, al
most knocking hin overheard, and the ene-
my's shots were coming with frequency into
his immediate neighborhood. II was at this
time the chief yoeman was killed on tho
other side of the deck. MacNeal never
paused in his work. The rammer was finally
MacNeaI resumed his duties as coolIy as II
what he had done was a matter OF every
day routine.
"The battle orderlies will merit place
among those whose conduct is worthy OF
special mention. They were on the move
constantly bearing battle orders from Com
modore Schley and Captain Cook and in no
instant did they fail in the prompt and In
tellfgent performance Of their responsible
duty. The signal men occupied very ex-
posed positions during the action and rem
dered excellent service. Signal halyards
and numbers and speed cones were riddled
by small projectiles and fragments Of burst
ing shells casualties that show IN what
zone Of danger the signal men performed
their duties Signal men Coombs and Me-
Tntvre and Battle Orderlies Rail and Davis
were so near Yeoman Ellis when he was
killed that they were spattered with blood.
None showed more unfiinching courage than
the men in the military tops, who stood by
their gurs. delivering their fire with un-
erring precision undismayed by the pro-
iectiles that we're flying about them and
striking in their Immediate vicinity. Private
stockbridge, the only man on the sick list.
climbed into the main top at the signal,
where he remained until the end OF the
action doing work at his gum
..rho noncommissioned officers First Ser
eeant Manning, Eergeants Bristow. Mont
air. ingalls, and McDevitt. and corporals
Dittmyer, Doyle and Gray-showed excel
lent soldierly qualities in the management
Of the men and battery. Sergeant Manning
rendered valuable aid IN supervising the
widely separated attachments of the
guards
II csnnos sneak teo highly az the cuas