The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-27

case / was informed by the commanding
officer of the Cristobal Colon.
Admiral Sampson at this point fully
describes the manner in which the
blockade Of the harbor was maintained,
showing that it was impossible for any
of Cervcra's ships to escape without
detection. Every night an American
battleship turned its searchlight on the
channel leading out of the harbor.
OREGON'S BRILLIANT WORK.
Admiral Sampson continues as fol-
lows:
b. When all the work was done so
well it is difficult to discriminate in
praise, The object of the blockade of
Ccrveras squadron was fully accomplish
ed and each individual bore well his
part of il. the Commodore in command
on the second division. the captains Of
ships. their officers and men. The fire
of the battleShipS was powerful and de
structivc and the resistance of the Span
iSh squadron was in great part broken
almost before they had got beyond the
range OF their own forts. The fine
speed Of the Oregon enabled her to take
II front position in the chase. and the
Cristohal Colon did not give up until
the Oregon had thrown Il 13-inch shell
beyond her. This performance adds TO
the already brilliant record of this fine
battleship and speaks highly Of the
skill and care with which her admirable
efficiency has been maintained during II
service unprecedented in the history of
vessels of her class. The Brooklyn's
westerly blockading position gave her an
advantage in the chase which she main
tanned 10 the end. and she employed her
fine battery with telling effect. The Tex
as and the New York were gaining in the
chase during the last hour. and had
any accident bcfallen the Brooklyn or
the Oregon would have speedily overhaul
cd the Crstobal Colon. From the mo
. ment the Spanish vessel exhausted he
first hurst of speed the result was never
in doubt She fell. in fact. far below what
might reasonably have been expected Of
her. Careful measurement of time and
distance gives her an average speed from
the time she cleared the harbor mouth
until the time she was run on shore ut
Rio Tarouino. of 1877 knots. Neither
the New York nor the Brooklyn stopped
to couple mp their forward engines. but
ran out to the chase with one pair, getting
steam. of course rs rapidly ms possible
on all boilers. To stop to couple up the
forward engines would have meant Il
delay of fifteen minutes or four miles in
the chase.
POOR SPANISH GUNNERY.
II. Several OF the ships were struck
the Brooklyn more often than the others
but very slight material injury was done
the greatest being aboard the Iowa. Our
loss was one man killed and one wound
ed. both on the Brooklyn. 1t is Difficult
to explain this immunity from loss Of
life or injury to ships in a combat with
modern vessels of the best type: but
Spanish gunnery is poor ut best. and the
superior weight and accuracy of our fire
speedily drove the men from their guns
and silenced their fire. This is borne out
by the statements of prisoners and by
observation. The Spanish vessels as
they dashed out of the harbor were COW
cred with the smoke from their own
guns. but this speedily diminished in
volume and soon almost disappeared.
The fire from the rapid fire batteries Of
the battleships appears to have been re-
markably destructive. An examination
of the stranded vessels shows that the
terribly from the fire. Her sides are
everywhere pierced and her decks We're
strewn with the charred remains of
those who had fallen.
IL. The reports Of Commodore w. 5.
Schley and of the commanding officers
are enclosed.
1G A board appointed by me severa
days ago has made Il critical eXamina
ton Of the stranded vessels, both with
a view of reporting upon the result of
our fire and the military features involv
cd, and of reporting upon the chance of
saving any of them and of wrecking
the remainder. The report of the board
will be speedily forwarded.
Very respectfully,
w. II. SAMPSON,
Rear Admiral L. $. Navy.
Commander in chief L. $. Naval Force
North Atlantic Station.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Navy
DpDartmpnt Washington d. &.