The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-29
CAPTAIN COOKS REPORT.
Tells How the Brooklyn Was Handled in
the Battle of Santiago.

the OF
Washington, July 2S.-The navy de-
partment has made public the reports
of Captain Cook of the Brooklyn: Lieu
tenant Usher, commanding the Erics-
son, and Captain Cotton of the Har-
ward, giving their stories of the de-
structIon Of Cervera's fleet. The text
of Captain Cooks report follows:
"U. s. f. 5. Brooklyn, anchor, Guam
tanamo Bay, July Z, 1S9S-Sir: At $3.50
a. m. the enemy were telegraphed by
the Iowa as coming out. At the same
time they were discovered by the quar-
termaster on watch, Captain Anderson,
of this ship, end reported to the officer
of the crew. The executive officer.
Lieutenant Commander Mason, imme-
diately gave the order, Clear ship for
action and general quarters Signal
was made at the same time, Enemy
coming out. We started with steam
on three boilers at about IL knots
speed.
THE head of the Spanish squadron
in column was just outside the entrance
of the harbor of Santiago, heading
about southwest We opened fire on
the leading ship in five minutes from
the discovery. The port battery was
first engaged as we stood with port
helm to head off the leading ship and
gave them raking fire at about 150O
yards range. The enemy turned to
the westward close in to the land. We
then wore around to starboard, bring
ing the starboard battery into action.
The enemy nugged the shore 10 the
westward. The Brooklyn leading, was
followed by the Texas, Iowa, Oregon.
Indiana ana Gloucester The Vixen.
which had Oeeu to the westward of us
on the blockade. ran to the southwark
and eastward of us and kept for some
time off our port side, distance about
1000 yards. At this time the firing was
very fast and whistling of shells in
cessant, and our escape with so little
INJURY was miraculous and can only
be attributed to bad craftsmanship on
the part If the enemy. The Maria
Teresa, which had dropped astern while
we were wearing. under the heavy fire
or our fleet, ran ashore.
The Vizcaya, Oquendo and Colon
continued on, gaining in distance. The
Brooklyn was engaged with the three
leading ships of the enemy, which were
forging ahead. the Texas. Iowa and
Indiana keeping up a heavy fire. but
steadily dropping astern. The Oregon
was keeping up a steady fire and COM
ing UP in most glorious and gallant
style, outstripping all the others. II
was an inspiring sight to see this bat-
tleship, with large white wave before
her and her smokestacks belching
forth continued puffs from her forced
draught. We were making II knots at
the time and the oregon came up off
our starboard quarter at about 500
yards and maintained her position.
though we soon afterward increased
our speed to Is knots and just before
the Colon surrendered were making
nearly 16.
The Oquendo, soon after the falling
and ran ashore on fire. The Vizcaya
and Colon continued on under fire from
the Brooklyn and Oregon. The other
vessels of our fleet were well astern
and out of range. The Texas was evil
IDENTIFY coming up fast. At about 1853 |
a. m. the Vizcaya was seen to be on |
fire and the Colon passed inside of her |
with increased speed, took the lead and |
forged ahead. We signaled the Oregon |
to cease firing on the ViZcaya, as her /
flag was down. Firing Immediately |
ceased and we both continued the chase |
OF the Colon, now about 5000 yards /
away. The ranges ran from 1900 to g. |
300 with the Nizcaya, as she kept in |
and out from the coast. We steered |
straight for distant point near Cane I
Cruz, while the Colon kept close to the /
land. She could not have come out /
without crossing out bows and We were 4
steadily gaining on her. We were get |
ting more steam all the time and now /
had four and one-half boilers on and /
the remaining one and one-half nearly |
ready.
After running for about so miles |
west from the entrance. the Colon ran /
nto land, beached, fired a gun to lee |
ward and hauled down her flag. The /
Oregon and Brooklyn had just pre- /
siously begun to fire upon the Colon /
ind were landing shells close to her. / /
vas sent on board by Commodore
schley to receive the surrender. The
,aptain spoke English and received me
pleasantly, though naturally much de-
pressed. He surrendered uncondition-
illy. He was polite. shook hands and
aid that his case was hopeless and /
nat ne saw that We were too much for
i'm. j was on board about Is minutes