Evening journal., 1898-06-09
THE SINKING OF THE TERROR.
The Torpedo Boats Desperate Attempt
TO Join Cervera's Fleet.

KINGSTON. Jamaica, June Given
more picturesque and bold than the
defiance of the big Confederate Merri-
mac by Erlcsson's little monitor was
the exploit which resulted in the sink
ing Of the Spanish torpedo boat de-
stroyer.
Audacious as was the little craft that
made Ericsson famous. the small Terror
was much more so IN boldly attempting
20 run the gantlet OF the powerful
American fleet assembled about the en-
trance 10 Santiago harbor Unlike the
monitor. the Terror failed 10 catch the
enemy mapping, and the American fleet
demolished the little stranger far more
quickly tEan Ericsson's Cheese box"
disposed Of her move formidable look
ng enemy at Hampton Roads.
Not a sign OF the Spanish boat or
the 60 men comprising her crew has
been seen since n 13 inch shell fired by
she battleship Oregon struck her amid
ships. This shot made an American
victory Of an exciting hours work and
thwarted the first attempt OF the Span
ish TO send naval re-enforcements to
Admiral Cervera-
The Terror succeeded In getting with
in mile Of the entrance to Santiago
harbor. but the vigilance of the officers
on the New Orleans frustrated her bold
dash to join Cewera's fleet.
Rear Admiral Sampson has been una
BILE 10 determine definitely the Identity
OF the vessel sunk by the Oregon's 1000
pound shell. There IL little question,
however. that she was the destroyer
Terror.
The vessel which the Oregon sunk
was approaching Santiago harbor from
the eastward and her course was the
one she would follow ia coming from
San Juan 10 rejoin the Spanish fleet.
The Terror was l0st heard from at
Puerto rico on May 20. 1t was said
then that the destroyer was disabled
and had gone TO San Juan for repairs.
An officer OF the New Orleans. which
ship was on guard on Monday night at
the eastern line of the American fleet.
detected n speedy vessel trying to creep
into the harbor of Santiago under cover
Of the shadows from the cliffs. IL was
half past 10 o'clock and the moon,
which had been obscured by clouds for
two hours. again lighted the entire
coast. The searchlights OF the New
Orleans were directed inland. and a
small boat was revealed hugging the
shore. She passed out of view in a
few moments, rihling rapidly in the
direction OF Moro castle. Repeatedly
I the searchllghts were trained up and
/ down the shore. bat. the shadow OF the
cliffs protected the strange craft from
view.
Signals were given to the flagship
New York, which, with the Marble
head. lay near the New Orleans. In a
short time the powerful searchlights OF
all three vessels were sweeping the
I coast in an effort TO locate the mystic
riOus vessel
Officers and men were convinced thai
the Spaniards had made another at
tempt TO send a torpedo into one Of the
| American warships. In and out Of the
lights range the little vessel passed
and the guns on the warships. trained
as best they could be on the fleeing en-.
emy began pouring great quantities 0I
shot toward shore. In "A few minute.
the Brooklyn and Oregon Joined in III,
chase.
II became apparent that the enemy
boat intended to make a bold dash fo
the entrance OF the harbor. then littl
more than a mile distant. Owing to thl
difficulty of keeping the searchlights oi
the enemy, a signal burning above tn
I flagship ordered the thanking vessels Z,
close in. firing as they steamed, while
the New York herself raced In shore a
full speed to head on the little craft.
There had been no miscalculationi