The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-05-03
THE HERALD STORY.
account OF the Battle Between
spanish and American Fleets
At Manila

Larry Account OF the Battle R.tw.o,
spanish and American Fleets
NE" YORK, May IA dispatch to
Inc Herald from London saws: The
A'auc squadron of the United States
Commodore Dewey commanding, Sun.
day engaged and completely defeated
the Asiatic squadron of Spain in the
haroor OF Manila, in the Philippine
Islands.
~. the news of the great naval bat.
lie thus far received is coming from
, allsh sources. This shows con.
ciuslvely that Manila has not vet been
taken by tho American forces and that
the cable lines are ,till under the con.
troll of Spain.
During the two engagements that
took place Commodore Montejo, com.
manding tho Spanish fleet, lost three
OF his largest ships. HIS flagship, the
steel cruiser Reina Christina, and the
armored cruiser Castillo were burned,
and the cruiser Don Juan de Austria
ras blown up Several other Spanish
vessels We're badly damaged. One re.
port adds that several other Spanish
ships were sunk by their commanders
to prevent their falling into the hands
X the Americans.
Heavy Loss OF Life.
There was a heavy loss Of life among
she Spanish Captain Darso, command
ing the Reina Christina, was killed.
Commodore Montejo, commanding the
fleet, shifted his flag from the Reina
Christina to the Isla de Cuba, much
smaller stecl.protected cruiser. just be.
fore the Christina sank. The blowing
up Of the Don Juan de Austria, was
attended by great loss of life among
the crew. her commander also being
killed.
Commodore Dewey's squadron, leav.
ing Suoig bay. few miles from Man.
liza, about O. clock Saturday afternoon,
proceeded toward Manila. Under the
cover Of darkness he entered the har.
Dor of Manila, the batteries located
there announcing his arrival.
Lined Up at Daybrcak.
Both fleets lined up for battle about
.lc,.hr>,l, Il A'oiCol- Tho nf thp
American warships began firing on the
fortress of Cavlte and the arsenal OF
Manila.
Under the protection of the guns OF
these fortitications the Spanish war
ships opened fire on the American
fleet. For several hours the harbor
resounded with the roar OF guns, the
crashing OF steel and timbers. the
shrciks and groans of the wounded.
Thick clouds of smoke ut times almost
obscurcd the opposing fleets from each
other.
\ we'll directed shot reached the iron
cruiser Don Juan de Austria, vessel
of |. 100 tons. \ terrific explosion fol'
lowed and the ship was blown up.
All the time during the first engage
ment the American ships were under
way, their manoeuverin- beng intend
cd 10 render the marksmansh!p OF TIC
Spanlsn gunners less effective.
Drew on for Hasiy Repairs.
The American squadron about !
O'Clock drew of to the west side OF tht
bay and took refuge behind some lor'
eign shipping. The ships had evidently
suffered considerable damage. After
some hasty repairs they returned te
the conflict.
During this engagement the guns o.
the Caylte maintained u stcadier ane
stronger fire upon Commodore Dewey
shins than in the first encounter, ou
tho American guns were being used
with telling effect.
Flagship Completely Burned
As the smoke lifted it was seen tina
Aouship Reina Christina was on hre