The San Francisco call., 1898-07-27

ships of the enemy with his light guns he, nevertheless, was close in to the pat tie line under heavy fire, and many oI the enemy's shot passed beyond his yes sel.
 | I beg to invite special attention to ths conduct of my flag lieutenant. James J1' Sears, and Ensign Edward McCauley Jr., aid, who were constantly at my side dur, l ing the engagement and who exposed themselves fearlessly in discharging thelr duties; also to the splendid behavior or my secretary, Lieutenant B. Wells Jr, who commanded and directed the tghting of the fourth division with splendid ef- feet.
 I would commend the highly meritori- ous conduct and courage in the engage
 nent of Lieutenant Commander N. E. Mason, the executive officer, whose pres continuance did much to secure the good l results of this ships part in the vic- l tory.
 son, and the division officers, Lieutenant T. D. Griffin. Lieutenant ". R. Rush
 Lieutenant Edward Simpson, Lieutenant J. G. Doyle, Ensign Charles Webster and
 the junior divisional officers were most steady and conspicuous in every detail of duty contributing to the accurate firing of this ship in her part in the great vic The officers of the medical, pay and en- gineer and marine corps responded to every demand of the occasion and were fearless in exposing themselves. The war rant officers, Boatswain William L. hill Carpenter G. H.. Warford and Gunner F. T. Applegate were everywhere exposed in watching for, damage, reports of which were promptly conveyed to me. l have never in my life served with braver. better or worthier crew than that of the Brooklyn. During the combat. lasting from 9:35 until 1:15 p. m., much of the time under fire, they never Jagged for | moment and were apparently undis- turbed by the storm of projectiles pass The result of the engagement was the destruction of the Spanish squadron and the capture of the admiral and some 1900 to 1500 prisoners, with the loss of several hundred killed-estimated by Admiral Cervera at 500 men.
 The casqalties asq, on board this ship were: Burns, fireman, first class severely wounded. The marks and scars show that the ship was struck about twenty-five times, and she bears in all forty-one scars as the result of her participation in the great victory of your force on July B. 1898. The speed-cone halyards were shot away and nearly all the signal halyards The ensign at the main was so shattered that in hauling it down at the close of the action it fell in pieces.
 I congratulate you most sincerely unon this great victory to the squadron under your command, and I am glad that I had an opportunity to contribute in the least
 to a victory that seems enough for all of us.
 I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the commanding officer and |
 the location of hits and scars: also a memorandum of ammunition expended and the amount to fill her allowance. Since reaching this place and holding conversation with several of the cap tafns-Captain Eulate of the Vizcaya and
 the, the @ second 5ou in command of the Colon, that the Spanish Admirars scheme was | to concentrate all fire for while on the | Brooklyn and for the Vizcaya to ram her. in hopes that if they could destroy her thelr chance of escaping would be increased, as it was supposed she was the swiftest ship of your squadron. .4ls explains the heavy fire mentioned and tpe Nfzcayas action in the earlier mo- | ments of the engagement. The execution | or this purpose was promptly defeated by the fact that all the ships of the | squadron advanced into close range and opened an irresistibly furious and terri was coming out of the harbor.
 am glad to say that the injury SUD- posed to be below the Brooklyn's water ] line was due to a water valve being opened from some unknown cause and flooding the compartment. The injury to
 the belt is found to be only slight and tne leak small.
 I beg to inclose a list of the officers and crew who participated in the com
 bat of July 3, 1898.
 I cannot close this report without men, tioEing In high terms of praise the splen- did conduct and support of Captain c. B. Clark of the Oergon. His vessels speed was wonderful and her accurate fire splendidly destructive. Very respectfully,
 w. s. SCHLEY,
 Commodore U. s. Navy.
 Commanding Second Squadron, North At
 lantic Flett.
 To the Honorable Commander-in-Chief