Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-09

ly not greatly to the liking Of the
Spaniards, for with big American war
ships firing only two rounds from their
largest guns one Spanish ship was hit
and parts Of the Notifications were
destroyed. One twelve-inch shell
from the Massachusetts plunged into
the deck of the Reina Mercedes, which
partly disnantled the Spanish cruiser
and killed eight Spaniards and wound
ed many more.
day, Schley waited forty-eight hours
to see if they would venture out. No
movement was made, however, and
Tuesday morning the commodore de-
cided that he would find out just how
far in the mouth Of the harbor the
Spanish armored cruiser Cristobal
Colon was located, the appearances at
different angles being very deceptive.
At 10 o'clock, Schley, accompanied by
Lieutenant Sears, Ensign McCauley
and Lieutenant Wells, boarded the
yacht Vixen and was taken to the
Massachusetts. Up to the time Of 60
ing on board, there was no intimation
on the big battleship that she was to
, be allowed to shoot Leaning up
against one of the big guns in the
turret, Schley patted it with his hand
and said:
"Higginson, how would you like to
try a few of these on that fellow in
the harbor?"
Captain Higginson and officers near
him fairly jumped with delight. Very
much indeed" replied Higginson eX-
pressively, and his officers Joined in
the expressed request.
Well" said Schley, tell your bull
lies after they have finished their mid
| day meal I will let them have a
chance"
The men were quickly told and then
there were rousing cheers that might
have been heard ashore. After lunch,
Schley, with his staff, went forward
and took up a position near the con-
ming tower. Lieutenant Sears, at pre-
cisely 12:45 p. m, signalled to the
commander of the New Orleans to
swing into line and follow the move
ments of the flagship. Tell them to
clear for action" said the commodore;
and the signal had hardly been made
out when a cheer from each ship came
over the water. Fire only with the
large guns, get the range Of the ship
in the harbor and hit her if you can,
but do not fire at the forts. The New
Orleans may try a few shots at Moro
for range" These were the rest Of
the commodore's orders.
The ships were ready to move in
when Captain Higginson, preparing to
go to his fighting station in the steel
protected coming tower, said: you
had better step in the tower, commo-
dore, you will be safe there" "No, y
replied Schley, Il want to see things;
I can't see there" Then, still chew
ing his cigar, he stood with glasses in
hand, looking towards the objective
point The three war vessels were
then about six miles from the entrance
of the bay, to the southwest Of it,
where the Cristoba1 Colon could not
be seen as she lay broadside in the
narrow entrance or nook. There was
but one place where she could be
fired at by the American ships, and
the firing would have to be done, If
the ships were moving, in two minutes
"Go ahead at ten knots northeast, -
was the order issued by the commo-
dore, and the ship Strengthened out.
"Fire when you are about 1890 yards, -
was the next order from the commo-
dore, who stood on the top Of the big
thirteen-inch gun turret. Lieutenant
Potts told off the distance to Lieuten-
ant Sears and when 1900 yards were
announced, the Cristobal Colon's stem
and the bow of the partly dismantled