The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-11

Ing Is the Diltidi &iCChlll VI NhC Nii-NsN
ment of the Spanish squadron, as seen
from the United States steamer Vixen:
At 9:45 a. m the quarterInaster on duty
reported that a tug was coming out of
the harbor Examination proved the yes
sci 10 be a Spanish cruiser flying large
Spanish flag anG smaller flag at the
masthead which was thought to be the
admirals flag, as it was on the leading
ship.
IRE Vixen at this time was lying about
two miles off shore and four miles 10 the
westward OF MORO castle, and from this
time 10 the end was never out OIL Sl--nt
OF the chase and was within TWO niles
of the destruction OF the three 2rmofed
cruisers.
Word was at once sent to the command
ing officer and all hands were called TO
quarters. All speed was ordered and the
helm vas put to port to stand further
off shore and leave the BrooklHnS nre
unObStructed. %ac Brooklyn had hoiSted
the signal that The enemy was attempting
to esca pc and the Vixen, noticing that the
leading ship was turning to the westward
Signaled that the enemy was attempting
to escape il that direction.
The fleet at this time had resumed its
station ard the vessels began rapidly to
close in toward the south of the harbor.
concentrating. terrific long range nre
upon the enemy.
There was no doubt that the enemy was
coming out There were several anxious
moments before it could be determined
whether the Spanish admiral would order
his fleet to disperse and attempt TO break
through the blOckadng squadron or
would keep his ships together. The lead
ing vessel had changed her course to the
west, when second vessel appeared, tol-
lowed shortly by the Cristobal Colon.
The Colon was easily identified because
her mast was between her smokestacks.
The other ships could not so easily be
OquendC and Infanta Maria Teresa had
the same appearance.
Meanwhile the fleet approached the
mouth Of the harbor and when the fourth
vessel appeared and turned to the west 1t
became evident that Admiral CerVera had
accommodated the field and selected the
west as the weakest part OF the blockade.
because the strong eastern current had
drifted the heaviest ships to the east
of their customary positions. The western
portion of the blOckading circle was de-
Tended by the Vixen and the BROOKLYN.
The brooklyn headed north, apparently IN
tending TO intercept the head of the
enemy'S column. AS the leading ships of
the enemy's column appeared the west
ern battery opened a heavy fire. apparent
ly directed at the eastern and central
ships of the blockading squadron
ENGAGED BY THE BROOKLYN.
AT 10 a. m the Brooklyn was nearest
and engaged the two leading ships, which
were close together, with an interval OF
three-QuarteTs of a mile between the sec
ond ship and the Cristobal Colon. At
1906 the Brooklyn turned with port
helm. making tbee complete turn to the
east so that she was again heading west.
The eneny'S leading ships We're on her
SIarbOard quarter and the fourth NeSsel
was coming up aStern rapidly. AT this
time the Vixen was west of the leading
ship and was SteaminS on a parallel
course.
For the next Il minutes the Brooklyn
received and returned the fire of the two
leading ships anC]4ln occasional shot from
the CriStobal Colon.
At 1890 the chase was well formed, the
positions being as follows; Inc enemy
ships in column between CabanaS and
hon, he
parallel course q mile distant, with the
Oregon two miles southeast. The other
American vessels were obscured by the
At 1923 the Colon and the leading ships
of the enemy We're close together, Just
clear of the Brooklyn's bow, as viewed
from the Vixen. the Cristobal Colon gain
ing speed and closing up. 1t was apDar-
ent that the leading vessel was disabled
and on fire. as she dropped rapidly aStern.
She apparently headed for the shore off
Juan Gonzales.
The Oregon, forging ahead capitally, en-
gagged the fourth ship. As she passed, two
smaller Spanish vessels, probably the
Furor and Pluton. to the westward of
Cabanas. engaged the Iowa and the
Texas. though apparently on fire. But
the leading vessels were too far to the
west to be identified accurately. The
Indiana was in sight, little to the west
OF MORO castle.
gaining and was reserVing her fire. AT
this moment the only American vessels
seen from the Vixen were the Brooklyn,
Oregon, Texas and Iowa, six miles behind
the Oregon.
AIMED TOO HIGH.
AT 1917 the CristobaI Colon and other
Spanish ships resumed the heavy fire.
The second vessel was five miles from the
Vixen. The Oregon was gaining rapidly
on the Cristobal Colon. which was using
smokeless powder. The enemy's fire was
very high and many of their shots passed
over the Brooklyn, falling close 10 the
Vixen, piece of shell tearing the flag
at her mainmast.
At IO:47 the Brooklyn forged ahead and
the Oregon fired her forward 13-inch gun
at the leading Spanish vessel. At 1<c47 the
Texas in front of the Iowa. was gaining
rapidly. At this time. the Brooklyn.s
fire was steady and deadly, her shells
striking or bursting alongside of the
At I0.49 the Texas reached San Con
Zales and the Indiana was apparently Off
Cabanas At 1880 the Vixen approached
rapidly. the Iowa appeared to be off Juan
Gonzales and the yacht appeared off
Guayacabon, hotly engaging the enemy's
At 1854 another Spanish vessel was on
fire. and heading for the beach with
heavy list to port This was the Vizcaya.
making for the reef at Acerradores. At
II :0l the NizcaVa ported her helm and
headed east. apparently seeking the en-
trance to Acerradores. The Texas and
Vixen directed their IRE ON tho NiZcaya
until 11:07. when. as the colorS went down,
we cheered. At log there came a burst
of fame from the EiZcayaS stern. and all
the ships resumed their firing while pass
ing the doomed vessel. which was hard
on ASerradOres reef.
At 11:16 the Brooklyn, oregon, Texas.
Iowa and Indiana, the last named ten
miles from the Cristobal Colon, were in
sight Of the Vixen. 1t was believed on
the Vixen that the vessel at AcerraderoS
was the Spanish flagship. AT 1:25 the
Iowa had stopped, The after end of the
Vtzcaya was sheet of flame, and from
1925 to Hap there were many explosions
on board the Spanish cruiser. apparently
caused by the ignition OF loose charges
about the guns. They resembled huge
chrysanthemums with ribbons of smoke.
as the burning powder grains fell from
the ends of the petals.
CHASE OF THE COLON.
At 11:45 the chase narrowed itself to the
CristobaI Colon, which was close ashore
and seven miles from the Vixen, with the
Oregon one point on the Starboard bow,
distant a mile and a half the Brooklyn
one point on the starboard bow, distant
three miles: the Texas on the StarbOard
quarter, distant one mile: the Iowa two
points on the Starboard side, distant
about eight miles, and the New York one
point on the starboard quarter, distant
ten miles. The last two vessels were ap-
rantly off Boca del Rio, but were too far
distant to be certainly identified in the
haze and smoke from the leading ships.
No other vessels were in sight. The smoke
from the ship destroyed at Juan Gonzales
and to the eastward could be seen, but the
vessels hull was invisible
AT noon the relative positions of the
American ships We're practically the same.
When the Vixen was abreast of Sevilla
g miles west Of Santiago the Texas bore
three points to the starboard quarter, a
little less than mile off. and the Oregon
and Brooklyn one point on the starbOard
and port bow, distant four and five miles
ba