Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-27

injury from the fire of the secondary
batteries OF the Iowa, Indiana, and Texas
yet think a very considerable factor in
their speedy destruction was the fire at
close range of the Gloucester's battery.
After rescuing the survivors OF the de-
stroyers the Gloucester did excellent
service In landing and securing the crew
Of the Infanta Maria Teresa.
DUTY OF AMERICANS PLAIN.
'S The method of escape attempted by
the Spaniards, all steering in the same
direction and in formation, removed all
tactical doubt or difficulty, and made plain
the duty Of every United States vessel to
close Immediately, engage. and pursue.
This was promptly and effectively done.
AS already stated, the first rush of the
Spanish squadron carried 1t past num-
Der OF the blockading ships. which could
not Immediately work up to their best
speed; bat they suffered heavily in pass
ing, and the Infanta Maria Teresa and the
Oquendo were probably set on fire by
shells fired during the first fifteen minutes
OF the engagement. 1t was afterward
learned that the Infanta Maria Teresa's
fireman. had been cut by one Of our first
shots, and that she was unable to extin-
guish the fire.
~ h4flOli OillI DIL<tOIlI|L's
'With large volumes of smoke rising
from their lower decks aft, these vessels
gave up both fight and flight, and ran in
on the beach, the Infanta Maria Teresa
at about 1916 A. NJ, at Nina Nina, six
and one-half miles from Santiago harbor
entrance. and the Almirante Oquendo at
about 1890 A. NJ. at Juan Gonzales, seven
miles from the port.
The Vizpava was effil under the fire
Of the leading vessels; the Cristobal Colon
had drawn ahead, leading tke chase, and
soon passed beyond the range of the guns
Of the leading American ships. The Viz
caya was soon set on fire, and at IL :25 she
turned in-shore and was beached at AS
seraderos, fifteen miles from Santiago,
burning fiercely, and with her reserves of
ammunition on deck already beginning to
explode.
RESCUE OF PRISONERS.
when about ten miles west of San
tiago, the Indiana had been signalled to
go back to the ,harbor entrance. and at
Asseraderos the Iowa was signalled to
resume blockading station The Iowa,
assisted by the Ericsson and the Hist
took off the crew of the Vizcaya, while
the Harvard and the Gloucester rescued
those of the Infanta Maria Teresa and
the Almirante Oquendo. This rescue of
prisoners, including the wounded, from
the burning Spanish vessels, was the oc-
casion OF some OF the most daring and
gallant conduct OF the day. The ships
were burning fore and aft their guns
and reserve ammunition were exploding.
and IL was not known at what moment
the fire would reach the main magazines
In addition to this, heavy surf was rom
niuD inst inCi1a nf fha Gnonfch Chfnc
But no risk deferred our officers and men
until their work Of humanity was COM
plete.
BROOKLYN AND OREGON.
40. There remained now of the Spanish
ships only the Cristobal Colon, but she
was their best and fastest vessel. Forced
by the situation to hug the Cuban coast,
her only chance Of escape was by supe-
rior and sustained speed: When the Viz
caya went ashore the Colon was about
six miles ahead of the Brooklyn and the
Oregon, but her squirt was finished, and
the American ships were gaining upon
her. Behind the Brooklyn and the Oregon
came the Texas, Vixen, and New York.
1t was evident from the bridge Of the
New York that all the American ships
were gradually overhaulng the chase,
and that she had no chance Of escape.
At IL 20 the Brooklyn and oregon opened
fire and got her range, the Oregon's
heavy shells striking beyond her, and Of
IL 80 she gave up without firing another
shot, hauled down her colors. and ran
ashore at Rio Torquino, twenty-eight
miles from Santiago. Captain Cook went
on board to receive the surrender. While
his boat was alongside came up in the
New York. received his report. and placed
the Oregon I'm charge OF the wreck, to
save her, II possible. and directed the
prisoners TO be transfers. 70 the Reso-
lutte, which had followed the chase.
MENTION OF SCHLEY.
Commodore Schley. whose chief of
staff had got on board to receive the sur
render, had directed that all their per-
sonal effects should be retained by the
officers. This order 1 did not modify.
1.-THE Cristobal Colon was not injured
by our firing, and probably IS not much
injured by Bleaching, though she ran
ashore at high speed. The beach was so
steep that she came off by the working
of the sea. But her sea-yalves were
opened and broken treacherously, I am
sure after her surrender. and despite all
efforts. she sank. When 1t became evil
dent that she could not be kept afioat,
she was pushed by the New York bodily
upon the beach. the New York's stem
being placed against her for this purpose,
the ship being handled by Captain Chad
wick. with admirable judgment. and sank
in shoal water. and may be saved. Had
this not been done, she would have gone
down in deep water, and would have been,
to certainty a total loss.
I'll. regard this complete and Inn
portant victory over the Spanish forces
as the successful finish of several weeks
of arduous and close blockading. so strin-
gent and effective during the night that
the enemy was deferred from making the
attempt to escape at night, and delibe-
rately elected to make the attempt in
daylight. That this was the case l was
informed by the commanding officer of
the Cristobal Colon"
DESCRIPTION OF BLOCKADE.
Admiral Sampson. at this point, fully
describes the manner in which the block
ade of the harbor was maintained, snow
ing that it was impossible for any OF Ger
yera's ships to escape without detection.
Every night an American battleship turn |
ed its searchlight on the channel leading |
out Of the harbor.
Admiral Sampson continues as follows: |
"13. When all the work was done so |
well. Il is difficult TO discriminate in |
praise The object Of the blockade OF |
squadron was fully accomplish
ed. and each individual bore well his part
IN 1.-THE Commodore In command OF the
second division, the captains of the ships, 1
their officers and men. rne fr~ o. ene
was powerful and destructive.
and the resistance of the Spanish squad
.on was in great part broken almost be-
fore they had got beyond the range OF
heir own forts. The fine speed Oh the
oregon enabled her TO take a front posi-
ion I'm the chase. and the Cristobal Colon