The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-04

while the shore for two miles was lined with
soldiers, who maintained q fierce fusillade.
Undaunted by this formidable array, the
three little American vessels steamed into
the harbor and began an attack. Their fire
was returned by the Spanish vessels. and for
two hours hot fight was waged Shots
repeatedly went straight from the guns of
each comDatant, doing much damage when
they struck.
main target for the Spanish gunners. who
showed greater adeptness in their aim than
have the Spanish gunners stationed in the
forts along the coast. They succeeded in
hitting the Hist eleven times, but the plucky
little craft withStood the heavy fire gallant
ly. Again and again she ran close up to the
enemy'S vessels, persistently refusing to
draw away because of the accuracy of the
Spanish aim But for the accident to the
Hornet the American vessels would not
have withdrawn from the scene after fight
ing two hours. When the firing was hot
test shell went scurrying in the direction
of the Hornet, striking the main steam pipe
Of that vessel, scattering over the deck and
dong considerable damage. AS soon as the
Hist and the Wampatuck discovered that
the Hornet was disabled their captains de-
cided that 1t would be useless to fight long
er against such superior enemy. Accord
ingly the Wampatuck FASTENED to the res
cue of the Hornet, the Hist meantime keep
ing up its sharpest fire. After the Wam-
patuck had succeeded in getting line on
the Hornet she steamed out to sea with the
close after, pouring shot at the enemy until
out of range.
During the engagement the American YES
sells succeeded in sinking one of the Span
ish gunboats, one sioop and one pontoon.
They also disabled the enemy's torpedo
boat, did much damage to several of the
gunboatS in the harbor and made a marked
impression on the Spanish land batteries.
They also discovered the PuriSSima Concep-
cion and two large transports lying in the
harbOr AS II this were not enough excite
ment for one small auxiliary cruiser, the
Hist poked her nose into Neguira bay and
discovered a Spanish gunboat lying there
She Immediately opened fire on the Span
lard, which, taken so completely by sur
prise, replied feebly and inaccurately. She
was sunk by the Hist in ten minutes. The
Hist subsequently had another exciting ex-
perience with a ship laden with Spanish
troops, and again the little fighter came
cut with new laurels She discovered the
troop ship some distance out from shore
and promptly challenged her. The ship did
her bow. Instead her captain sent her to-
ward the shore. The captain of the Hist
knew that he could take his little craft Just
as far in as the Spaniards could go with
the troop ship. SO he started in hot pursuit
after the larger vessel. He could not cap
ture the ship, but he drove her aground.
Without attempting to save their vessel the
Spaniards scrambled ashore and disap-
peared in the woods. All three of the yes
sells sent by Admiral Sampson to Manzanil-
10 are members of the auxiliary fleet.
The Hist was formerly the Thespia. is ia
feet long, 1926 feet wide, and has dis
placement of 472 tons. The Hornet formerly
was the Alicia. She is 100 feet long. "a feet
wide and has a displacement of 425 tons.
The Wampatuck was the tug Atlas She is
placement is 462 tons and she can make
thirteen knots an hour. The Hornet is
fifteen-knot boat. and the Hist makes
twelve knots an hour.