The sun., 1898-06-16
FIGHTING ON THE YANKEE.
a BRo0KEYN BOY TELLS OF THE
ORUISER'S ETPERIkNOER.

Hta Dash at Torpedo nsAt That Came Out sT
Santiago Harbor-CoeIness OF the Naval
RlilitIHmen at Their work-Plty fer the
Mes who Must Land Under = Cuban sun.
William B. Harding .. Brooklyn. who Is q
member of the New York naval militia ana at
present on tho cruiser Yankee. Commander
Brownson, with SAmpson's feet, has sent TO his
father, William J. Harding OF 1899 Dean street,
Brooklyn, diary Of tho Yankees experiences
up to June 5. In ono entry he says;
TAT SEA, May 90.-This afternoon We had q
sad accident on board. While at target prac-
tlce ono OF tho 6-pounders forward, In charge
OF the marines, hung hre. Instead of waiting
the men opened tho breech, and just as they did
so the shell went Off. Ono man had his arm cut
and the other was killed.. Both we're marines.
1t was entirely their own fault. but. of course.
worry sad. The man killed was buried at sunset.
There arc no safer guns made than those on
board the Yankee and our division commander
is very careful in handling them"
or tho New York boys share In the engage
ments at Santiago he writes as follows:
Friday night, about IL o'clock. our first en-
gagoment. The New Orleans sighted a torpedo
boat coming out OF the harbor. She sent up two
rockets and opened fire with her / and 6
Founders. using her two searchlights in groNt
shape. We soon responded with our 5.inch and
about 1000 yards from tho entrance. The New
York and Dolphin then opened fire. and it was
pretty exciting for about ten minutes. Tho tor.
pedo boat fired two torpedoos, but without
effect. We chased her back into the harbor
was as cool as a cucumber and 1t seemed as IL
had been doing that kind OF work right along.
We were all stripped to the waist and looked
businesslike. The watch on duty slept at their
guns, which were loaded.
Thursday night (before we camel tho Merri-
mac (steam collier). with twelve volunteers. one
man from each ship, steamed into the harbor to
be sunk in the channel. The SpaniRrds opened
fire and finally sunk her. but not until she was
first where we wanted her. All hands were
captured and are now in the fort. The Spanish
flag is in plain sight from here, and we cuss il
day and night. A largo tug came out Friday
flying a flag of truce; what about don't know.
Saturday afternoon we got ready to bonn
bard. We cleared for action whole feet and
steamed close in to about 5000 yards from the
fort and 1000 from the battery at b. We were
all stripped to the waist, and for a while there
was great excitement After waiting about an
hour we drew OF and had Afternoon tea,' as
we call it.
To-day We are steaming slowly around To
create a breoze to keep US cool. pity the poor
infantry we have to land in Cuba. 1t 10 bad
enough afloat. but it must be something fearful
ashore. 1 am afraid the heat will do more dam.
age and kill more men than the Spaniards ever
will"
William Fl. Conway Of Brooklyn, also on the
Yankee, writes that the excellent Runnery oi
the crew at Santiago was duo to their constan,
target practice since leaving New York. There
was great rivalry between tho gun crews during
this practice and they became very efficient