The record-union., 1898-07-28

This ship then sent a boat to take
possession, the commanding officer GO
ing in the boat. / was received by the
Commodore of the squadron, Captain
De Naviodon Emilio Mores, and Captain
De Davio of the first class, Don Jose
De Paredos y Chacon (Which latter had
been civil Governor of Santiago, and
had only just been attached to the
squadron. i arranged for the transfer
Of the crew and officers, division to
each ship present, and the engineer
force to be left aboard. While aboard,
however, the Resolute arrived, and 1t
was arranged to transfer the whole
number to her.
II had taken with me the fleet sur
geon, an engineer and the carpenter, to
examine and make secure everything
necessary. The engineer reported to me
that she was taking water aft. l had
previously had soundings taken, and
found eight feet at the bow and seventy
at the stern, so that but a small por-
ton of the ship was left ashore I re-
turned as quickly as possible to the
flagship to report the situation.
The Oregon was signaled to take
charge, and the men We're hastened on
board, number being sent also from
this ship. Our work of closing the
water-tight compartments was of no
avail, however, some of the sea valves
having been treacherously opened and
the valves broken, SO as to make it i'm
possible to close them. The ship thus
slowly settled. At 7:30 she came
afloat and came out into deeper water.
The officer in charge, Lieutenant Com
mander Cogswell, had let go an anchor,
but it was clear that if she went down
in water of the depth in which she was
she could never be recovered. This
ships stem was placed against her
quarter, and later a line being taken
from our own boat to hers, the Colon
was forced in shore. 1t was by this
time dark, but using a searchlight, we
We're able to force the ship on the beach,
a line being paid out at the same time.
She thus sunk in very moderate depth
of water, and it is very probable she
may be saved.
"At IL p. m. the flagship returned to
Santiago, leaving the Texas and Oregon
in charge of the prize.
Though the ship was not able to
come to action with any of the larger
ships, on account of her distance to the
eastward. every nerve was strained to
do so, and all was done that could be
done. Our speed had rapidly increased,
so that we were going sixteen knots at
the end. We were Immediately astern,
while others were considerably to sea-
ward. We were thus in a position to
prevent a possible doubling to the rear
and escape to the southeast
THE officers and crew, as they al
ways have done, acted in the most en-
thusiastic and commendable manner
They have worked into a system which
is practically instantaneously ready for
action, and while all are deserving Of
commendation and credit I think it is
no derogation from the deserts of the
others to particularly name Lieutenant
Commander Potter, to whom, as execu-
tive officer, so much Of the ships eff
cheney is due, and Chief Engineer Nc
Connen, who has kept the machinery
in the admirable order which has en-
abled Us at all times to develop the
ships full speed. Respectfully.
WILLIAM f. CHADWICK.
Captain United States Navy, com
manding.
''The Commander-in-Ch Chief United
States Naval Forces, North Atlantic
Station"
CAPTAIN TAYLOR'S REPORT.
U. :. 3 Indiana, first rate, off San
tiago, July A. 1898.
Sir; | have the honor to submit the
following report Of the operations of the
Indiana in the action of July Sd with
the Spanish squadron off Santiago de
Cuba:
AT 9:3U a. m, while the crew were at
quarters, preliminary to general mus
/ + tyr-n
Iowa, and general order 'Enemys ships
escaping flying. At once cleared the
ship for action, and the crew were at
the guns in remarkably short time.
all officers and men showing an alacrity
that indicated clearly their pleasure at
| the opportunity offered them
THE Spanish squadron was seen
emerging from the harbor, and in a few
moments a general action ensued. The
leading ship, which proved to be the IN
| fanta Maria Teresa, flying the flag of
Vice Admiral Cervera, was followed
by the other vessels of the squadron. as
follows: Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon.
Oquendo and the torpedo boat DESTROY
ers Furor and Pluton. The enemy's
vessels headed to the westward. and
cur ships headed in the same direction.
possible.
This ship fired on all Of them as
they came out one by one, and con-
tnued the action later by firing prin-
clpally on the Maria Teresa, Oquendo.
furor and Pluton. Several of our
shells were seen to take effect on these
vessels. Our secondary battery guns
We're directed particularly on the de-
stroyers, as also were the six-inch guns.
Inc destroyers We're sunk through the
agency of our guns and those of the
gloucester, which vessel had come UP
and engaged them in close board.
The initial fire of the last two ships
was directed at this vessel, and al
though falling very close, only struck
the ship twice, without any injury to
the ship or crew.
our ranges We're obtained by angles
~ 49,