The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-10

the Spanish e-llnners seemed to be wild
from the outset and, meanwhile. the
main ships of the American squadron
were pouring in a deadly tire, doing
great execution both in the Spanish
feet and in the Cavite fortifications on
land.
The American cruiser Baltimore, at
one period Of the engagement received
the brunt Of the enemy's fire and Suf-
fered the most of any vessel in the
American squadron. From five 10 ten
tons of the enelnys shot took effect on
the Baltimore. but none of her crew
was seriously hurt.
As soon as the Spanish admiral left
the 1,eina Maria Christina and boarded
the Isle de Cuba, the fire was directed
at the later merciessly, every inch
gun on every ship joining those of the
flagship. The Isla de Cuba was riddl-
ed.After IA few rounds she was put out
OF action and almost before Admiral
MonteJo had had time to get his bear
ings he was driven out a second time.
The Spanish cruiser Castillo burst in
10 flames under the remarkable gun
merry Of DeWey'S men. The American
commodore then directed a hot fire
against the batteries. This Wa a sur
prise to Admiral Montejo, who appar
emily thought himself secure under the
guns of the Cavite fortifications.
Hong Kong, May when the
American ships were nearing Baker
bay sudden upheaval Of the waters
occurred a little distance in front of
the leading ship and quickly following
this a second water spout denoted that
the Spaniards had fired a couple of
mines or tOrpedoes, but their efforts to
blow up the ships were unsuccessful.
A torpedo boat tried to creep along
the shore, round the offing and attack
the non-combatants Zafiro, Nanshaw
and McCulloch, but was driven off and
shot into bits. The Mindanao was run
on to the beach and the other small
craft retired behind the Mole. The
fight started at $50 o'clock, was ad-
journed at $50 o'clock and resumed
about noon. The finishing touches
We're given to Cavite by the Petrol and
Concord at 2 o'clock. The Raleigh
grounded twice in shallow water dur
ing the engagement.
The Spanish ships caught fire one
after another, or were driven to
grounding to save their crews. Com
until the last vessel of the enemy had
been destroyed. By that time the
shore batteries were silenced and the
American fleet had won a most re-
markable victory. The American ships
were kept under way to manoeuvre
about the Spanish fleet. By this means
much of the enemy's fire was rendered
harmless. The spectacle of the Amer
lean warShipS manoeuvring as ii on
parade, and at the same time direct
ing terrific fire at the enemys ships
and forts was a magnificent tribute to
the skill and discipline of modern ma
val warfare.
The terms of capitulation are still
unsettled. Commodore Dewey fears
s1%s H>ry h. l>01, l.
bombardment.
The forts at the entrance to the bay
capitulated, and were dismantled- on
Wednesday. The Americans cut the
cable because the Spaniards refused
to permit them to use it pending the
surrender Of the city, and it is, there
fore, not known what is transpiring on
shore.
Copyright by Associated Press.)
Hong Kong, May S.-Among naval
men, military men and civilians, Eu-
and natives here today, there
is only one subject of discussion, the
brilliant, dashing, annihilating victory
of the American fleet under Commo-
dore Dewey over the Spanish fleet COM
manded by Admiral Montejo, in Ma
Mia bay, on Sunday last.
Owing to the fact that the cable be-
tween this port and the Philippine is
lands was not in working order, having
been cut, it is said, some distance from
the capital of the islands, there has
been delay in obtaining a detailed ac-
count of the battle and facts in the
case were only available when the Uni
ted States gunboat Hugh McCulloh ar
rived here yesterday and even then
the tremendous pressure Of business
suddenly thrown upon the cable COM
pany necessarily made the earlier ac-
counts of the engagement somewhat
brief.
Commodore Dewey's orders were to
capture or destroy the Spanish fleet,
and never were instructions executed
in 50 complete a fashion. At the end
of seven hours there was absolutely
nothing left of the Spa nish fleet but a
few relics.
EVERY DETAIL PREARRANGED.
The American commander had most
Skilfully arranged every detail of the
action, and even the apparently most
insignificant features were carried out
with perfect punctuality and in rail-
road time table order.
At the end of the action Commodore
Dewey anchored his fleet in the bay.
before Manila, and sent a message to
Governor General August, announc-
ing the inauguration of the blockade
and adding that if a shot was fired
against his ships, he would destroy ev
cry battery about Manila.
The positions occupied by the Span
iards, the support which their ships re-
ceived from land batteries and the big
guns they had ashore gave them an
enormous advantage. Therefore, when
it is considered that the Spaniards lost
over 600 men in killed and wounded;
that all their ships, amounting to
about fourteen, were destroyed and
that their naval arsenal at Cavite was
also destroyed, with it's defences. it
will become apparent that the victory
of the American commodore is one of
the most complete and wonderful
achievements in the history of naval
warfare. Not a man on board the
American fleet was killed. not a ship
was damaged to any extent, and only
six men were injured slightly on board
the Baltimore. This grand achievement
is quite as much due to the generalship
of Commodore Dewey as to the fact
that the American gunners, ships and
guns are superior to anything in the
same line afloat anywhere. Credit
must also be given to the fullest ex