Richmond planet., 1898-09-10
u. s. s. Iris.
Navy Yard, Norfolk,
Ntl. XIV. NO. 80

\ U. y. \. Iris,
Navy Yard, Norfolk,
August.
Dear Editor II am q young man born
in your city 26 years sgo and went to
the public schools of Richmond, but
have been living in New York for about
ten years and am glad to say that was
one who offered my service TO the Uni
ted States Government in April last
and have been all over Cuba since We
were of Santiago de Cuba when Ger
vera's feet was found.
ONE OF THE FIRST TO VOLUNTEER.
I was there until the 9Th of June,
when we left fer the bay of Guantana-
mo, the eastern coast of Cuba, and
was one of the first to volunteer to go
ashore and assist the marines which
landed at the above place on June 10Th
and was ashore Q days, out on the front
during the day and also stood picket
duty at night. but I am glad to say
that never received any wounds.
THE SPANISH Log BOOK.
1 feel it my duty to write to you as J
have q part of the log-book of the Span
ish Cruiser Christobal Colon, which
was destroyed with the remainder of
Cervera's fleet on July 3rd of Sentia-
go. 1t is an interesting document and
is as follows: April 14th, arrived at
Port Grande, Cape Verde Islands, an
choring at 10:08 a. m April 18th
the Viscaya and Oquendo arrived at
Port Grsnde. All vessels coaled and
provisione6 and took in stores, guns
and equipments belonging to the Fu-
roS. April 29th-Sailed from Port
C3rande, together with the Infanta Ma
ria Teresa. Viscaga, Oquendo, Pluton,
Furor and Terror.
THE PLUroN TowED.
During the morning, we towed the
Pluton and the Oquendo tow ard the
Furor and Maria Teresa. The squad
ron on an average of between seven
and eight knots, considerable difficult
ty was experienced with the tows and
the snsigns of the large vessels. The
weather was generally good. Steam
wss only kept up one boiler Of the tor
pedo boats. May 1lth-at about a.
M. the Terror reopened signalling
"Chief of division separated from me
this morning, believing he would re-
turn about sundown." Teresa took
the Terror in tow, trouble With the
about q. m. Furor reioined squadron
of Martinique. At this time she had
but forty bags of coal on board. The
squadron stood toward southwark and
westward. May 14th-at $3.50 a. m
sighted little Curacao, coaled Furol
with eighty bags of coal. During the
afternoon the Teresa and Viscaya en-.
tered the harbor. Continued to Goa
Furor. Signslled Oquendo, "To NOR
row give fifty tons of coal to torpedo
beat destroyers-" May 15th--coalec
Terror at 8 ;15 p. M, Teresa, Viscsys
and Pluton returned from the haKbor.
STOOD 70 NoRTHwARD.
Squadron stood to the northward
\ Ry 16th-Rendezvous appointed 81
Santiago de Cuba. May I7th--at day.
light Colon signalled, 1.-The vessel con-
graduates the Admiral" ;" and the 9th
er ships were also Offering their con-
grstulstions. The hag-ship replied
the Admiral thanks the Colcn cordial.
~ for congratulations and also the re-
mainder OF the vessels, ST am conf
dent of victory with these valiant
crews" May 16th-Admiral signalled
that he intended running into Santa
60 de Cuba. May 19th-Arrived in
Santiago de Cuba, anchoring at 500 q
m. May 25th-Colon shipped anchor
age to Ensenada de Gaspas.
ENENY IN SIGHT.
May Watch-tower signaIled
ten enemv's ships in sight, accompa-
MED by torpedo boats and small YES.
sells. At 80. the Semaphore signalled
Enemy hsedisappeaPed." May 28th-.
sent 81 oHacer to MORO Castle to wstcE