The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-14
THE MANILA BAY BATTLE.
Mail Report from Admiral Dewey
Praise for Officers.

Praise for Officers.
WASHINGTON, June 13.-The Navy De-
partment to-day made public the following
letter received from Admiral Dewey this
afternoon, being its first mail advices from
him since he reached Manila:
Flagship Olympia, Cavite, May 4.
1.-The squadron left Mrs bay on April a..
Arrived off Bollnao the morning
of April 80, and, finding no vessels there,
proceeded down the coast and arrived off
the entrance to Manila bay on the same
afternoon. The Boston and Concord were
sent to reconnoiter Port Subic. A
thorough search was made of the port by
the Boston and Concord, but the Spanish
fleet was not found. Entered the
south channel at 1870 p. m. After half the
squadron had passed a battery on the south
side of the channel opened fire, none of the
shots taking effect. The Boston and Nc
Culloch returned the fire. The squadron
proceeded across the bay at slow speed and
arrived off Manila at daybreak, and was
fired on at SIS a. m. by three batteries
at Manila and two near Cavite and by the
Spanish fleet anchored in an approximately
east-and-west line across the mouth of
Bakor bay, with their left in shoal water
in Canacacic bay.
THE squadron then proceeded to the at
tack, the flagship Olympia, under my per-
sonal direction, leading, followed at some
distance by the Baltimore, Raleigh, Petrol,
Concord and Boston, in the order named,
which formation was maintained through
out action. The squadron opened fire at
SAL a. IN. While advancing to the attack
two mines were exploded ahead Of the flag
ship, too far to be effective. The squadron
maintained continuous and precise fire at
ranges varying from five thousand to two
thousand yards, counter marching in line
approximately parallel to that of the Span
ish fleet. The enemy's fire was vigorous,
but generally ineffective. Early in the en-
gagement two launches put out toward the
Olympia with the apparent intention of
using torpedoes. One was sunk and the
other disabled by fire and beached be-
fore an opportunity occurred to fire tor
pedoes.
"At a. M the Spanish flagship Reina
Christina made desperate attempt to leave
the line to come out and engage at short
range, but was received with such CALLING
fire, the entire battery of the Olympia be-
ing concentrated on her, that she was bare
ly able to return to the shelter of the point
The fires started in her by our shells at
this time were not extinguished until she
Sdlh.
''The three batteries at Manila had kept
up continuous fire from the beginning
of the engagement, which fire was not re-
turned by this squadron. The first of these
batteries was situated on the south mole
head at the entrance to the Pasig river,
the second at the south bastion of the
walled city of Manila and the third at Ma
late, about one-half mile farther south At
this point sent message to the governor
general to the effect that If the batteries
did not cease firing the city would be
shelled. This had the effect of siIencing
them.
AT 7:35 a. m. 1 ceased firing and with
drew the squadron for breakfast. At 1l:15
a. m. returned to the attack. BY this time
the Spanish flagship and almost the entire
Spanish fleet were in flames. AT 1890 D. m
the squadron ceased firing, the batteries be-
ing silenced and the ships sunk, burned and
deserted. AT 12:40 p. m. the squadron re-
turned and anchored off Manila, the Petrol
being left behind to complete the destruc-
ton of the smaller gunboats, which were
behind the point of Cavite. This duty was
performed by Commander f. p. Wood In
the most expeditions and complete manner
possible. The Spanish lost the following
vessels:
''Sunk-Reina Christina, Castella. Don
Antonio de Ulloa.
'Burned-Don Juan de Austria, Isla de
Luzon. Isla de Cuba. General Lezo. Marquis
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