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


twenty-one miles west of Santiago, on.
fire fore and aft and where she blew
up during the night. Observing that she
had struck her colors. and that several
vessels were nearing her to capture ana
save the crew, signal was made TO
cease firing. The Oregon having proved
vastly faster than the other battleshlps,
she and the Brooklyn. together with the
Texas and another vessel when proven
TO be your flagship. continued WESTWARD
in pursuit Of the Colon which had run
close in shore. evidently seeking some
good spot TO beach if she should ran
to cude her pursucrs.
,. This pursuit continued with increas-
ing speed in the Brooklyn, Oregon ana
other ships, and soon the Brooklyn ana
the Oregon were within long range of
the Colon, the Oregon opened fire with
her 13-inch guns, landing shell close
10 the Colon. A moment afterward the
Brooklyn opened fire with her S-inch
guns, landing Il shell just ahead Of her.
Several other shells were fired ut the
Colon now in range of the brooklyn
and Oregon's guns. Her commander see
ing all chances Of escape cut off ana de-
strnction awaiting his ship, fired lee
gun and struck her flag at lilo p. M,
and ran ashore mt point some htty
miles west Of Santiago harbor. Your
flagship was coming up rapidly at the
time, as was also the Texas and Vixen.
4 little later, after your arrival, the
CristobaI Colon which had struck TO the
Brooklyn and the Oregon was turned
over 10 you as one of the trophies of
this great victory of the squadron I'M
der Your command.
II AZ
&. During my official visit little later,
Commodore Eaton of the Resolutc ap-
pcarcd and reported TO you the presence
of Spanish bnttleship near Altares.
Your orders to me were TO take tire
Oregon and gol eastward to meet h"r
and this was None by the Brooklyn
with the result that the vessel reported
as any enemy was proved to be the
Austrian cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa,
seeking the Commandcr-in-chlcf
Z. would mention for your considera-
ton that the Brooklyn occupied the
most westward blockading position with
the Vixen, and being more directly in
the route taken by the Spanish squadron
was exposed for some minutes possibly
ten. to the full fire of three of the Span
ish ship and the west battery at n range
of fifteen hundred yards from the ships
and about 5000 yards from the batter
les. but the vessels of the entire squ5d-
ron. closing in rapidly, soon diverted
this fire and did magnificent work at
close range. | have never before wit
messed such deadly and fatally accurate
shooting as was done by the ships Of
your command as they closed in on tho
Spanish squadron, and | deem it high
privilege to commend to you for such
action rs you may deem proper, the
gallantry and dashing courage, the
prompt decision and the skillful handling
of their respective vessels. Of Captain
Philip. Captain Evans, Captain Clark
and especially of my chief of staff,
CAPTAIN Cook who was directly unGer
my personal observation and whose cool
ness. promptneSs and courage were of
the highest order. The dense smoke of
the combat shut out from my view the
Indiana and the Gloucester. but as these
vessels were closer to your flagship no
doubt their part in the conflict was
under your immediate observation.
s. Lieutenant Sharp, commanding the
Vixen acted with conspicuous courage, and
although unable to engage the heavier
ships of the enemy with his light guns.
nevertheless was close in to the battle
line under heavy fire and many of the
enemys shot passed beyond his vessel.
CONSPICUOUS CALAMITY.
9. beg to invite special attention to
the conduct of my Flag-Lieutenant
James III. Sears and Ensign Edward
McCauley. Jr.. aide, who were con-
stantly Mt my side during the engagement
and who exposed themselves fearlessly
in dischargng their duties; and also
the splendid behavior of my Secretary
Lieutenant, Il. w. Wells, Jr., who com
manded and directed the fighting OF the
Fourth division with splendid effect.
10 | would commend the highly meri-
torious conduct and courage in the en-
gagement of Lieutenant Commander n.
II. Mason, the executive officer, whose
presence everywhere over the ship during
its continuance did much to secure
the good result of this ships part in
the victory.
II. The navigator, Lieutenant \. {.
IIodgson, and the division officers Lieu
tenant II. ID. Griffin, Lieutenant W. X.
Rush. Lieutenant Edward Simpson,
Lieutenant J. G.. Doyle. Ensign Charles
Webster and the junior divisional officers
were most steady and conspicuous in
every detail Of duty contributing to the
accurate HflllS VI t1iS sup III htl paw
of the great victory of your forces.
- The officers of the medical, pay
and engineer and marine corps respond
ed to every demand of the occasion and
were fearless in exposing themselves
The warrant officers boatswain. VIM.
l.. HILL carpenter. G.. III. Warford, and
gunner. +. II. Applegate, were every
where exposed, in watching for damage.
reports of which were promptly con-
veyed to me.
THE BROOKLYN is SCARED.
-. | have never in my life served with
n drawer, better or worthier crew than
that Of the Brooklyn. During the combat
lasting from 9:3J until 1:15 p. M, much
of the time under fire, they never
tagged for moment and were apparent
~ undisturbed by the storm Of projectiles
passing ahead, astern and over the ship.
II. The result of the engagement was
the destruction of the Spanish squadron
and the capture Of the Admiral and some
, thirteen TO fifteen hundred prisoners
with the loss of several hundred killed.
estimation by Admiral Cervera ut GOO
men.
/ II. The casualties on board this ship
| were: G. II. Ellis, chief yeoman, killed;