Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-05-04


have been, is hard to tell had not at
ton been diverted from if by a shell
from Punta Gorda, which whizzed
over the New York and fell a little
short of the Cincinnati.
Capt. Chadwick put his helm to star
board until the port battery once more
bore on the punta Gorda earthworks.
Another she'll came from shore whizz-
ing along over the flagship.
Then the Cincinnati and New York
poured shot into the yellow earth
works and the surrounding land until
the smoke hid everything from view.
Onlysone more shot from Punta Gorda
was noticed. 1t fell short of New York
by about 200 yards. l was believed to
from a field battery on the brow of a
slight hill about half a mile further
inland than the earthwoks. In fact it
is doubtful whether any shots were
fired from the breastworks after the
two or three broadsides had been pour
ed into them.
When the bombardment was at its
height and after it had been in pro-
gress for nineteen minutes, Rear Ad-
miral Sampson ordered cease firing"
to be sounded. A few shots rang out
from the Cincinnati and Puritan be-
fore they caught the signal. On shore
all was quiet. Not soul could be seen
there and there was no more firing.
The earthworks, a quarter of an hour
before had presented a fairly regular
outline, but now they had d Jagged
appearance. Big gaps were plainly
visible at Quintas da Recro, but there
was not a sign of life there. Admiral
Sampson had effectually stopped the
work on Punta Gorda;
1t would have been perfectly feas-
ible for these three ships unaided to
have steamed past the Notifications
right into Matanzas and taken it or
shelled it at pleasure. After satisfy
ing himself that his object had been
accomplished, Admiral Sampson head
ed back for Havana.
The Puritan and Cincinnati were
left to look after Matanzas and they
will see to it that Matanzas is not the
scene of much fortification work in the
future.
During the commandment one of the
New York's engines at intervals went
slowly astern keeping steady range
of 1000 yards on Punte Gordo and
Z 900 on Quintas ia Hecro, the machin-
cry working perfectly not only i'll the
engine room, but throughout the whole
ship.
The bombardment gave an excel.
ent, though at the sa ME time freight.
full illustration of a warship's death
dealing powers. Had a single ship
been in the place where the shells
fell, it seems as if she would have
been blown to bits. before she could
have returf1edsthe fire. When 10, ,oO(
ton ship, usually as steady as a rock
shakes and trembles like a frighten
ed child; when firmly fitted bolts start
from their sockets, and window pane:
and woodwork are shattered, wher
the roar peals up from port and star
board, then is realized the terrib1,
power of a modern war ships batter
les.
Scenes of intense interest occurred
on the flagship's deck during the bonn
bardment. The center of attraction
naturally was about the forwart
bridge, where Rear Admiral Sampson
paced up and down, his long g1as
in hand, pausing now and then t.
watch the effect of the shots. Captain
Chadwick was at his side, in the dua
Ecapacity of chief of staff and captial
of ship. Lieutenant Stanton, assist
ant chief of staff, Lieutenant Com
mander Potter, executive officer of TIL
ship and Lieutenant J. Roller, tn
navigator, all were on the bridge an,
as busy as they could be. Three mel
were. at the wheel and the usual stat
lool1oitts and signal boys were in thei
places. The coming tower with it
heavily protected sides, was withou
an occupant.
About 800 shots were fired durin,
the BON bafdment. The crusier Cir
cinnati did wonderfully quick an
rapid work with her batteries. Th
monitor Puritan probably fired fewe
shots than the others, apparently nc
using her rapid fire guns, but takin
careful ain, with her 12-inch monste
at Ouintas de Recro.
To those on board the flagship VIII
had never before been on a warshi
when she was firing both batteries a
once and who had never heard til
shells whistle through the air, the e1
perience was not so bad as anticipa
ed. The noised of the guns deafene
some of them slightly, but an apple;
ton of wool to the ears deadened il
effect and taken all, the shock of til
broadside was not so greatas had bee
. expected.
1 The town of Matanzas, at no tin
was in danger from our fire. II liz
well to the south of Punta Gorda.
5 the Spaniards had any killed, it mu
e have been in the Notifications. Sc
l eral persons on board believe I'll
i Spa nisll loss was severe and adyau,