Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-06-09
SPANISH FORTS RUINED
YANKEE GUNS TURNED ON
SANTIAGO'S DEFENCES.
Three Hours Bombardment Results in Their Prac-
tica Destruction. --Some Spanards Killed and
Wounded.--One Cruiser Sunk.--No American
Loss.--Hobsons Unparalleled Deed.--Santiago
Harbor BIocked.--Gen. Skaters Troops Move
on Cuba.

i
gagged the Spanish batteries defending
the entrance of the harbor Of Santiago
de Cuba, and after three hours bonn
bardment silenced nearly all the forts,
destroyed several earthworks and rem
dered the Estrella and Catalina batter
les, the two principal fortifcations,
useless.
The fleet formed in double column,
six miles off Moro Castle, at o'clock
in the morning and steamed slowly
5000 yards off shore, the Brooklyn
leading, followed by the Marblehead,
Texas and Massachusetts, and turned
westward. The second line, the New
York leading, with the New Orleans,
Yankee. Iowa and Oregon following,
turned eastward. The Vixen and SUI
vance were far out on the left flank
watching the riflemen on shore The
line headed by the New York attacked
the new earthworks near MORO Castle.
The Brooklyn column took up a station
opposite the Estrella and Catalina bat
teries and the new earthworks along
the shore.
Suddenly the Iowa fired 12-inch
shell which struck the case of the Es-
trella battery and tore up the works.
Instantly firing began from both Rear
Admiral Sampson and Commodore
Schleys columns and torrent of shells
from the ships fell upon the Spanish
works. The Spaniards replied prompt
ly but their artillery work was of very
poor quality and most of their shells
went wild. The smoke around the
ship in dense clouds rendered accurate
aiming difficult. There was no manpu-
yreing of the fleet, the ships remaining
at their original stations and firing
steadily. The squadrons were SO close
to shore that it was difficult for the
American gunners to reach the batter
les on the hilltops but their firing was
excellent.
Previous to the bombardment orders
were issued to prevent firing on MORO
Castle as the American admiral had
been informed that Lieut.. Hobson anu
the other prisoners of the Merrimac are
confined there. In spite of these, how
ever, several shots damaged MORO
Castle so that Commodore Schleys line
moved closer in shore, firing at shorter
range. The Brooklyn and Texas caused
wild havoc among the Spanish shore
batteries, quickly silencing them.
While the larger ships were engaging
the heavy batteries, the Suwanee and
the Vixen closed with the small shore
batteries opposite them, raining rap
id fire of shots upon them and quickly
tllacing the batteries out OF the ngnt.
The BROOKLYN closed to 800 yards and
then the destruction caused by her guns
and those of the Marblehead and Texas
was really awful. In few minutes
the woodwork of Estrella fort was
burning and the battery was slienced'
firing no more during the engagement.
Eastward the New York and New Or-
leans silenced the cavalry in quick or
der and then shelled the earthworks
located higher up.
Later the practice was not so accu-
rate owing to the elevation of the guns:
MANY of the shells, however, landed
and the Spanish gunners retired.
shortly after 9 o'clock the firing
ceased. the warships turning in order
TO permit the use oftheir port batteries.
The firing then became a long, rever-
beratino crash of thunder and the shells
raked the Spanish batteries with terri
bile effect. Fire broke ont in the Cata-
lima fort and silenced the Spanish guns
there.
The firing of the fleet continued until
10 O'Clock, when the Spanish fire ceased
entirely and Rear Admiral sampson
hoisted the "cease firing" signal.
Generally the fire of the fleet was
very destructive. Many of the earth
works were knocked to pieces and the
Estrella and Catalina fortifications
were SO damaged that it is questionable
whether they will be ever able torenew
any effective work during the war.
After the feet had retired the span
iards returned to their guns and sent
- shells after the fleet, but no one was
injured. One large shell fell close to
the collier Justin.
Throughout the engagement no
American ship was hit and no Amerl-
can was injured
If the Spanish stuck to their guns,
and all evidence is to the contrary,
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