Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-28

public today:
L. 8. s. VIXEN,
Guantanamo. Cuba, July Z, 1898.
| Sir: have the honor to make the follow
| ing report as to the part taken by the
United States steamer Vixen in the en-
gagement with the Spanish fleet under the
command of Admiral Cervera, during the
morning and afternoon Of Sunday, July 3,
1898.
was at a point about four miles to the
! westward of Moro, and at distance of
about one and one-half miles south of the
shore line. At about $40 it was reported
to me that an explosion had taken place
in the entrance of Santiago Earbor went
On deck. and almost Immediately sighted
the leading vessel of the Spanish feet,
standing out of the entrance. Some of the
vessels of our feet were closing in toward
MORO and firing.
The Vixen was heading toward the Moro.
The engines were ordered ahead at full
speed and the helm put hard-a-port, the
object being to cross ahead of the leading
Spanish vessel. and thus not obstruet the
gun fire of our own fleet, TIE shells from
" flich soon began to fall about the posi-
ton we had just left.
The leading Spanish vessel opened fro
on this vessel with her starboard bow guns,
the projectiles from which passed over US,
all being aimed too high. l estimate the
number Of shots fired at at this time TO
have been between five and ten.
AS the Vixen gathered Roadway her head
came to about s. by E., opening tie
bow. Steadied her and steamed on ABOUT
this course until we had reached position
about mile to the southwark and west
ward of the Brooklyn, which was now
turning with port helm and firing her guns
as they bore OH the enemy's vessels. At
$50 hoisted signal No. 252. The course
was then ordered changed to W.S.W., the
attention being TO steer a parallel course
to that Of the Spanish fleet By some mis-
take the quartermaster steadied the helm
On S.W. by s., which was soon discovered.
hut ct hn1 ty,, cod t,a,-
distance off shore by perhaps another half
II lie. The course W.S.W was again Or
dered. and when Steadied on 1t We were at
an estimated distance of about five miles
from the shore. From about 1915 the
courses and times of changing We're as fol-
lows: AT 1915 changed course to w. n s..
at 1886 to NV. Dy N, at II, WN.W.; at
II 05. w. by N; at IL 10, NV. by w: at
IL 10. w. by N; at II 80, w. by s.. al 80,
w. by N All these courses were by the
steering compass. and the speed was est
mated from twelve to thirteen and one
half knots per hour. Times noted are by
deck clock, which five minutes fast Of
watch time used in the notes inclosed.
Seeing that the Spanish vessels were out
of range of our guns. while We were well
within range of theirs, We reserved our
fire.
About 11:06 having approached within
range of the ViZcaya, we opened fire with
our starboard battery at an elevation OF
5000 yards for the 6-pounder guns, and
extreme elevation for the 1-pounderS. Con-
tinued the fire for six minutes, when, see
ing that the ensign of the Vizcaya was not
flying, at HIP ordered cease firing. Ex
pended twenty-seven e-pounders, A. r.
shells, and eighteen 1-pounder common
shells.
After passing Asseradero the course was
held at from w. by N TO W. by s., head
Ing for the point On the western horizon.
Average speed about twelve TO thirteen and
one-half knots. average numbe.. of revoIu-
tons, l0o per minute; average steam pres
sure. 1929 pounds.
The Brooklyn and Oregon bore on the
port and starboard bows, respectively, ard
were gradually dropping the Vixen astern.
as was the Cristobal Colon, which was
running closer inshore. About 1928 the
Oregon opened fire on the Colon, as did
also the Brooklyn, feeling their way I'D to
the range. which was apparently obtained
after the fourth or fifth shot About ~
the Oregon and Brooklyn headed inshore
about four points About Los the Texas
hoisted signal, ENEMY has surrendered"
This signal was repeated to the New York
by the Vixen. At 2:30 Vixen stopped off
Rio Tarquino, in the vicinity of the Oregon
and Brooklyn. The Cristobal Colon was
close inshore. bows on the beach, her
colors down. lying on the deck at the foot
of her staff.
l have the honor 70 inclos, a copy of
notes taken during the chase by my orders.
upon the suggestion of Lieutenant Harlow.
IheSe notes were written by Assistant Pay
master Doherty; the incidents and times
were given by Lieutenant Harlow whose
watch was five minutes slow of deck clock
time. Inc times taken after 1889 are ac-
curate; those taken before that time were
estimated and may be in error a few
minutes.
lnclosed is sketch showing positions of
vessels at various times. IL is taken from
a chart taken from the Crstobal Colon af-
ter the surrender, and Is enlarged four
times. All courses are true
IN conclusion l wish to call to your at
to duty of both officers and men.
very respectfully,
ALEX. SHARP, Jr.,
Lieutenant, Commanding.
10 the Commander-in-chief, L. s. Naval
Forces, n. A. Station, u
Four inclosures
FIRST Enclosure, notes taken by Lieuten-
Second Enclosure renor+ of v,a,.o,.
Harlow, executive officer.
Inird Enclosure. tracing q Vixen's course.
fourth Enclosure. list IF officers and cre,~
on board during engagement.
Alarmed by IN Austrian Shin.
The following is the report of Commander
Eaton of the Resolute:
U. s. S. REsoLUTE,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
o,u. July 4, 1925.
lowing report of the operations of this shin
on Sunday July 3: '-p
arriving on Santiago at am, I reported
IN person on board the flagship to the chief
OF stan, and from him received orders IN
remain IN the vicinity until further orders.
w nile lying to the northeast of the line
Just to the eastward of the Indiana We
sishted the leading vessel of the Spanisb
neet coming out. The same time the Iowa
fired a shot. wv"
we at once headed the ship to the east
WARD. but had not got her steady on her
course before 1O-fnch shell struck about
forty feet from the starboard side OF the
snip abreast the pilot house, and q minute
later a 6-inch shell struck about seventy
feet astern the ship. The next Ave min
utes number of proJectiles struck the
water beyond and about her.
Making all the speed possible 1 headed
Tor Aitares in order to communicate with
the commander-in-chief. Before reaching
Altares l met the flagship New York COM
ing TO the westward and communicated to
her That the Spanish feet were coming out
ana standing to the western part of the
line. " '"e
Having then received your orders to pro-
coed to Guantanamo 1 headed in that d.
recuon, signaling to the Harvard as we
passed Altares that the Spanish fleet were
coming out.
AT 1920 when Off Baiquiri, sighted a
large man-of-war, painted dingy white.
with two tunnels and two military tops,