Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-16

AAAASSSOAs ou"dlCd, JUNE y. - LIE
American fleet engaged the Spanish
batteries defending the entrance of
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and
after three hours bombardment,
silenced nearly all the forts, destroyed
several earthworks and rendered the
Estrella and Cave batteries, the two
principal Notifications, useless. The
fleet formed in double column about
six miles off Moro castle at Z O'clock in
the morning and steamed about 5000
yards to sea, the Brooklyn leading,
followed by the Marblehead, Texas
and Massachusetts,, and turned west
ward. The second line, the New York
leading, with the New Orleans, Yam
kce, Iowa and Oregon, turned east
ward. The Vixen and Suwanee were
far out on the left flank, watching the
rifemen on shore. The Dolphin and
Porter did similar duty on the right
flank. The line headed by the New
York attacked the new earthworks
near Moro castle. The Brooklyn col
umn took up a station opposite Estrel-
10 and Catalina and the new earth
works along the shore. The, Spanish
batteries remained silent It is doubt
full whether the Spaniards were able
to determine the character of the
movement, owing to the dense fog and
heavy rain which were the weather
features of the morning. Suddenly the
Iowa fired twelve-inch shell which
struck the base of Estrella battery
and
Tore Up the Works.
Instantly firing began from both Rear
Admiral SIMPSONS and Commodore
Schley's columns, and a torrent of
shells from the ships fell upon the
Spanish works. The Spaniards re-
piled promptly, but their artillery work
was Of very poor quality and most of
their shots went wide. Smoke settled
around the ships in dense clouds, rem
dering accurate aiming difficult. There
was no maneuvering of the fleet, the
ships remaining at their original sta
lions and firing steadily. Previous to
the bombardment, orders were issued
to prevent firing on Moro castle, as the
American admiral had been Informed
that Lieut.. Hobson and the other pris-
oners of the Merrimac are confined
there. In spite Of this however, sew
eral stray shots damaged Moro castle
somewhat. Commodore Schley's line
moved closer in shore, firing at shorter
range. The Brooklyn and Texas
caused wild havoc among the Spanish
shore batteries, quickly silencing them.
While the larger ships were engaging
the heavy batteries the Suwanee and
the Vixen closed with the small in
shore battery opposite them, raining
rapid-f1re shots upon it and quickly
placing the battery out Of the fight.
The Brooklyn closed to 800 yards, and
then the destruction caused by her
guns and those of the Marblehead and
Texas was really awful. In a few
minutes the woodwork of the Estrella
fertilization was in flames and the
battery Was silcnced,
firing no more during the engagement.
Eastward the New York and New Or
leans silenced the Cave battery in
quick order, and then shelled the earth
works higher up. Later the practice
was not so accurate, owing to the ele-
walton of the guns. Many of the shells,
however, landed, and the Spanish gum
ners retired. Shortly after 8 the firing
ceased, the warships turning, in order
to permit the use of the port batteries.
The firing then became a long, rever-
berating crash Of thunder and the
shells raked the Spanish batteries with
terrible effect. Fire broke out in Cat
alma fort and silenced the Spanish
guns. The firing of the fleet continued
until 10 o'clock, when the Spanish
guns ceased entirely and Admiral
Sampson hoisted the 'cease firing
signal. Generally the fire OF the fleet
was very destructive. Many of the
earthworks were knocked to pieces,
and the Estrella and Catalina fortiti-
cations We're so damaged that it is
questionable whether they will ever
be able to renew any effective work
during the war; After the fleet retired
the Spaniards returned to some other
guns and sent twelve shells after the
fleet, but no one was Injured. One
large shell fell close to the collier JUS
tin. Throughout the entire engage
ment no American ship was hit and no
American was injured. If the Span
iards stuck to their guns, and all evil
dence is to the contrary, their loss
must have been heavy.