Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-06-16
ANOTHER BoMsARDMENT.
American warships Drive spaniards from
Caimanera, 40 Miles From Santiago.


American warships Drive spaniards from
Caimanera, 40 Miles From Santiago.
Five American warships at $3.50 a. m
began to shell the Notifications OF
Caimanera, on the bay of Guantanamo,
which cuts into the southern coast OF
Santiago de Cuba, east OF the city OF
Santiago. The Americans fire was
most effective, driving the Spanish
gunners in CONSERVATION from the de-
Tense of their works and then from the
town of Caimanera, in which they took
refuge. The inhabitants of the place
also joined in the rout. The vessels
which took part in the bombardment
were the cruiser Marblehead, the aux
iliary cruisers St. Louis and Yankee
and two gunboats. The latter, how
ever, paid little attention to the Span
ish forts, directing their efforts to cut
ting the cables which run out OF Cal
manera, three of which were cut.
The fire from the cruisers was rapid
and well directed and was replied to
with vigor by the Spanish. All the
men on board the warships worked
with enthusiasm, the New York Naval
Reserves on board the Yankee earning
their share of laurels at the guns. AS
the walls of the Notifications began to
tumble upon them the Spanish gunners
deserted their posts of duty and ran to
the town, which was in state of high
excitement. A great panic fell upon
the residents of Caimanera, who feared
the Americans would complete their
work by destroying the town and there
was general movement to places Of
safety. Many shells from the Ameri-
can guns exploded in close proximity
to houses on the outskirts of Caimanera.
After the cessation of firing from the
forts the fleet concentrated its fire upon
the block house, at which the cables OF
the French Cable and Telegraph Co.
land, and speedily demolished it.
The Smelling of Caimanera was fol-
lowed by the American vessels taking
complete possession of Guantanamo bay
The Spaniards made but slight defense
and their batteries were silenced by
the Marblehead in few minutes firing
at 1000 yards A small Spanish gun
boat ran away. The Oregon, Marble
head and Yankee now hold the harbor
waiting to land marines and troops
when they arrive. The harbor is line
base for land and sea operations. 1t Il
capacious and has 40 feet of water
The low lying hills can be easily
crossed with trains of siege guns ant
there are level roads to Santiago, 8
miles distant, where a few mountain
batteries will be taken to an eminenc'
commanding the city and the Spanish
ships. Guantanamo has six miles o
: water harbor and will be of great valu
to the United States as navy am
: army supply station, coaling depot an'
cable terminus
The navy now awaits the army. In
, fighting ships of Rear Admiral Samr
! son and Commodore Schley have bat
tered down the coast defenses of south
ern Cuba, have sealed up Admiral Gen
vera's fleet in the harbor, have cut tn
{ Haitien and Jamaica cables, and nov
: hold 81 miles of the coast east OF Sar
n tiago, including Guantanamo harboi
, Under the cover of the guns of tn
\ feet eastern Cuba may be safely II
n vested by land and sea, Admiral Cei
o vera's fleet annihilated and the entir
;. province and its towns and harbol
9 seized and held after short campaign