, 1898-07-30

while the rear was brought mp by the In.
fanta Maria Teresa and the two torpedo boat
destroyers, the FurOr and Pluton.
This stirring scene, SO dramatic and so
unexpected, quickly put the captain ofevery
American vessel on his mettle.
"Cervora's trying to escape!' was the cry
that :es"undcd through the fleet.
Amelicnn ships were ready.
Every American Y, sscl quickly weighed
anchor. The engines we're started and one
by one the great American wnrships nude
ready for battle. Every mnn scampercd to
his gun, and the captains. knowing that Adj
miral Sampson bad gone along the coast,
engerly watched the Brooklyn, Commodore
SchIey's flagship.
In n few moments the Resolute was speed
ing to the eastward after the New York, but
the advance of the Spanish feet was SO rapid
TINT Uur men could not wait for Admiral
Samps0n tn get hmCk.
just us the CriStobal Colon was poking
her nose out in the open Sea Commodore
Schley sent The Brooklyn mndly rushing to
the westward TO head off Cervera's Hngdhip.
He ordered The Massachusetts nmd Oregon
to follow after, at the same time ordering
the Indiana, Iowa aud Texas to intercept the
other vessels 0t the escaping aee'. Then
began one Of the greatest sea fights IN
history.
Cervera leaves HE lal bour.
Our torpedo boats we're not with tile heet,
aud when Admiral Simpson left The MORO
The battle ships aud the cruiser Brooklyn
were grouped oil the harbour mouth.
1t il hot known whether Admiral Cervera
had blown up the Merrimao or passed it in
single column. Ills ship, the Cristobal Colon
glidrd out of the harbour and shot to the
Westward, her two tunnels and high black
u1worf ohN,rt,1s ,1.;, o~,;.a l. roo &C
the hills, her pennant aud he Spanish red
and yellow ensign swapping above.
In a few seconds the American fleet was in
motion, the Indiana, which was CLOSEST, head.
ing straight inshore 10 get close range. The
Spaniard opened fire with an ll.inoh Homo
t0ria, and mighty fountains of water rose
above the battle ship aud wet her decks. The
shell fell near her bow.
The Indiana replied with her lS.inch guns,
and q moment Litter let go everything she
could bring to bear.
One Of the first shells fell on the Spanish
cruisers deck. OervsrA wac going past. aud
the Indiana lo1nded 10 give him ~ broadside,
and then as til" Iowa and tue Texas opened on
him the doomed Admiral turned TO the har-
bpur mouth, where tile Almirnnte Oduendo
was just coming into view.
AT first one could scaI cely believ We his eyes.
but when the Oquendo appeared and steam.
ell swiftly westward into Tho smoke and
lightning where Cervern's hng still flew, it
flashed upon us that here WIS to be history
making indeed.
Carvera in the. Tolls.
1t was u sublime SPECTACLE Of q desperate
Admiral. who had decided to give battle
against overwh elming odds in the open
water rather than remain and blow up his
own ship in the harbour Of the ~beleagIered
city.
Cervera's flag was hidden for a time ns he
fed westward, his port broadside emitting
flashes and tongues Of fame which marked
his progress.
For the next Ave minutes he ran a gauntlet
sucl as no ship had ever run in history, and
when his consOrts were burning, and he sur.
rendered His ship, he still had a gun or two
capable of action.
The Indiana fell on the Oquehdo, paying
no heed to the Moro battery, whose gun
ners triel hard to protect the cruiser rs she
moved 10 Tho westward.
The Iowa let Cervera go on into the hands
of the Oregon. Massachusetts and Brooklyn,
and then turned with the Texas to pound
the OQ1uendo.
Then every American ship was in action,
and smoke Shrouded the coast and blew
away lazily revealing geysers about the slips
WHARF the ShnOinIr oI.IIG frOn, tho oruiaora