The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-05
SANTIAGO COMMANDMENT,
Details Concerning the Target Prac'
tice Last Tuesday.
SHOTS HIT TIE RElNA MERCEDES.
The Fight WAS Simply Pleasure for
the American Gunncrs--New Or
leans Tried the Forts.

Copyrighted 1898, by Associated Press)
BY the Associated Press Dispatch Boat
Wanda. via Kingston. June 3. The her
metically scaled fleet OF spain in the harbor
Of Santiago de Cuba got its first taste of
American gunpowder Tuesday afternoon
and it was evidently not greatly TO the
liking of the Spaniards for, with the big
American warships hring only two rounds
from their largest guns one Spanish war
ship was HIT and the fortihcatons were
destroyed The 12-nch smell from the
Massachusetts plunged into the deck of
the Reina Mercedes, the partly disabl
cruiser, and killed eight spaniards, be
sdes woundng many more. After the as
coVeTy OF the ileet OF the en- my Sunday
afternoon Commodore Soniey waited o.ty-
eight hours to see ii they wou.d venture
out.
No movement was made. however, and
on TUESDAY morning the commodore de-
cIded he would ind out Just now far IN the
mouth Of the harDOr tbs spanish arno, I'd
cruiser Cristobal Colon was located, ap-
, peaiances at difierent angles being very
deceptive. In addition 10 this lie was con'
fident that the forts Would return his ire
ana N that way the location OF The span
idrds' guns ana the probable accuracy OF
their guns could be determined.
At 10 o'clock, accompanied by Lleuten-
ants Sears and Wells and Ensign Nc
Cauley, all OF the flag stan, he boarded the
gunboat Vixen and was taken 10 the Mas
saohusetts. Up 10 the time of his going on
board there was no intimalioE ON the big
battleship that she would be allowed 70
shoot. Leaning up against one of the big
guns in the turrets. Commodore Schey
! patted il with his hand and said
"Higgnson, how would you like to try
few OF these on that fellow in the har-
bor?"
Captain Hggineon and the officers near
him fairly jumped with delight.
Very much indeed" replied Captain
Hgginson expTessivey, and his officers
joined in the expression.
II am sure | could PUNK her IL we get
the range on her" said Lieutenant Glcu-
nan. who had charge Of the big pair Of
beauties In the forward turret.
We'll" said Commodore. schley, tell
your DULLES that after they have finished
their midday meal | Will let them have u
chance"
The men were quickly told and then
there was Il rousng cheer that might have
been heard ashore
After lunch Commodore Schley, with his
staff. went forward and took up posi-
|, ton near the coming tower Lieutenant
Sears, az precisely 1915 ignallcd to the
Iowa and the New Orleans TO swing into
| dne and follow the movements OF the
| flagship.
Tell them to clear for action" said the
| commodore, and the signal had hardly
been made out when cheer from each
| ship came over the waters
| Tell them to get ready for fight aad 20
go TO quarters" aided the commodore.
The men were at their guns in an In
| stan.
| "Fire only with the large guns, get the
range of the ships In the harsor and hit
| them II you can, but don't fre at tie
forts. The New Orleans may try a few
shots at Moro for range"
These were the commpdore's orders.
The ships were ready 10 move IN when
| Captain Hgginson. prepsring 10 50 mo
| his lighting station In the steel proteete
coming tower, ea!d:
'You had better step In the tower, com
mcdore, you will be sure there.
NO" replied Commodore Schley. I"
want to see things and can't see there,
Then. STILL chewing his cigar. he stoo
with his glasses IN his hands lookini
towards the objective point.
The men OF the secondary batteries. VIII
were not busy profited by the example an
! stead out on the open deck and watche
/. the fight OF the guns.
: The three warships we're then about 81
miles from the entrance Of the bay.