Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-13

lowed closely by the Cochrane, and II was
apparent that they were gaining. r.!
nightfnll tho Huascar was of AFRICA aii"
the Cochrane was scarcely three Mises
away. The only hope left was to round
Point Augomos and escape down the coaso,
end consequently the Huascar poured OIL
on her fires and put on every pound OIL
steam that she could bear. But still tna
Cochrane and tho O'Higgins drew steat.-
lily nearer. The point was now in slght,
but the two battleships were in range, ana
there was nothing left but to fight. Grhu
cleared his decks for action, the magazine
rooms were opened. the hosts were ADJUST
cd and the surgeons took their places IN
the cockpit. The moon was shining
brightly and the big Chilean battleships
could be plainly seen coming every mo-
ment closer. At 9:25 clock, when exact
ly off Point Augomos. the Cochrane was
just q. 900 yards away. The Huascar opened
tho action The first shot struck the
Cochrane, which replied with continu'
Gus fire. The fourth shot pierced the lluas-
car $ armor and killed II gunners. inc
o Higgins now came up and opened IRE.
Five minutes after tho beginning OF the
action commands ceased to como from Adj
mral Grau Entering tho tower, it was
found that cannot shot had literally torn
tho brave old commander to pieces. One
leg was all that was ever discovered OF
him.
Captain Aguirre assumed command, ana
two minutes after entering the tower
solid shot showed his head clean off. Lieu
tenant Corbo jail then succeeded to tho com
mand. Five minutes later Il shell exploded
in the tower and killed him and five 9th
ers. The scene was now something awful
to contemplate. The OHiggins and She
Cochrane were alongside and were pouring
continuous fire into the Huascar, whose
trained gunners were all killed and all OF
her 10 inch guns dismounted. Her smoke
stacks were shot away, and dense clouds
of black smoke were filling the vessel. The
unskilled gunners fired, but their aim was
wild, and they did little damage. The big
guns from the assaulting cruisers sent shot
after shot crashing through the Huascar's
armor as though it had been paper, while
the machine and rapid fire guns raked her
decks until dead men were piled in heaps.
So great was the carnage that the dead and
wounded were pitched below to make
room for the living. Lieutenant Rhadri-
*
torn to pieces by shell, and Lieutenant
Palacios, who then assumed command,
was killed few minutes later. Ensign
Gorezau then took command and gave the
order to ram the Cochrane The vessel did
not move. Sending n man forward, 1t
was found that the navigators were dead.
Others were placed, and still the vessel did
not move Ram, l say, by God. ram!"
,t.,;,,
piled IA sailor, "the new navigators are
also dead" Still others were placed, and
the order to ram was again given. Then
it was found that the steering gear had
been shot away and that the vessel was
helpless. So close now were the assailants
that the fire from their guns set fire to the
clothing of the dead sailors on the deck OF
the Huascar. Suddenly the firing ceased.
The flag of the IIuascar was shot away, and
the Chileans thought that she had struck.
Immediately another set of colors went up,
and the battle commenced 'agffin. Every
gun in the Huascar was dismounted, most
of her men were dead. but the fcw sur
vivors fought on with rifles. Seeing that
the end had come and being mortally
wounded with his last breath the gallant
Gorezau ordered his men to open the valves
OF the ship and sink. They tried to obey
the order, but conld not.
For an hour and "a half tho action had
lasted. but ALI resistance was now over in
the bravo Huascar Six commanders had
been killed, her decks ran in blood, her
guns were disabled, and there were but
few of her crew left who were not dead or
wounded. The Chileans boarded her and
lowed tho charmed house into Meiillones
bay, The greatest naval battle between
modern warships had been fought. :.
ne SnDrc