The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1898-07-30
THE LONG DESIRED ACCOUNT
SAMPSON AID scHLEY REPORT,
The AamiraI Praises tle 6ieueester
sna nsteay Cemnenas Aii-.sehiey
Olives Praise 20 sis Oaisers ana
Men ana - the Captains 81 the
0FeGsn, Fexas ard Tswn.

Washington, July 20.-The Navy de-
rAnnent today made public the reports
Of Admiral sampson, Commodore Echley.
Captain Clark u the Oregon and captain
Evans Of the Iowa on the tlattle Of July
,, which resulted In the destruction Of
Cevera's squadron. The adnnirAl's re-
port in part. follows
@United states Flagship New York,
Rrst rate. on santiago Dc Cuba, July Is.
1893 Sir
rTae positions 81 The vessels Of my com
mand OF Santiago at the moment were:
Flagship New York was four miles east
Of her blockading station and about seyen
miles from the haFbor entrance. She had
started fos siboney, where intended 70
land. accompanied by my stan, and 60
TO the front 10 consult General Shafter
for a discussion u the situation and for
= more definite understanding between Us
Of the operations proposed, which had
been rendered necessary by the dnexpect-
edly strong resistance Of the Spanish gar
Tison At Santiago. had sent my chief Of
staff ON shore the day before 10 arrange
an interview with General shafter, who
had been suffering from heat prostTation.
made arrangements 10 80 TO his head
quarters and my flagship was in the posi-
ton mentioned above when the Spanish
squadron appeared in the channel. The
remaining vessels were in or near their
usual blockading positions, distributed in
semi-cirrle about the harbOr entrance
The men Of our ships in front o. the
port were at Sunday quarters for inSpec-
ton. The signal was made simultane-
onsly from several vessels. 'Eneny's shipS
escaping and general quarter was
sounded. The men cheered ~ they spnang
10 their guns and fire vas opened prob.
ably within eight minutes by the vessels
whose guns commanded the entrance. The
Ne1 York turned about and steamed for
the esnPing squadron flying the signal,
Cos In toward harbof entrance and At.
tack veasels, and gradually Increasing
nFeed until toward the end Of the chase
she was making sixteen and a half knots
and was rapidly closing on the cristdbal
Colon. She was not Al any time within
the range d the heavy Spanish ships, and
her only psrt in the firing Was 10 receive
the undivided Ere from the forts Ia paAs.
ing the haT4sor entrance and 10 fire lew
shots At one 81 the destroyess. though
at the monsnt the Destroyer was at
tempting 10 escape from the Gloucester.
The skillfnl handling and gallant fight.
ing a the Gloucester, was the admiration
ii svcsyone who witnessed Il, and merits
the comnhendation of the navy depart.
menL The derlroyers probably suffered
much injury from the fire 81 the second
airy batteries Of the hatlleships Iowa, In.
diana and Texas. yet think consider.
able factor of their speedy destruction
was the Ere al close range o. the Glonces-
ter battery. AMER rearning the suryiv.
orr u the destroyers the Gloucester did
eHrellcnt service in landing and securing
The crew u the IniantA Maria Teresa.
This Fescae Of prisoaers, including the
wounded, from the burning ships, was the
occasion 81 some Of the most daring and
gallant conduct 81 the day. The ships
were burning fore and at, their guns and
reserve ammunition were exploding snd
Il was not known at shat moment the
ar would reach the main magazines. In
addition 10 this q heavy surf was rum
ming just inside Of the Spanish sAipA Cut
no risk deferred our oaIicera and men ,un.
III our work Of humanity was complete.
sehley Praised Win tAe Rect.
When ell the work was done % well,
Il Is difficult 10 discriminate in praise.
The object Of the blockade Of Cerrcra'.
squadron vas fully accomplished ani
each individual bore well his part Of IT.
the commodore in command Of the sec.
ond division, the captains Of ships, their
officers and men. The Gre Of the battle
ships was powerful and destructive and
the resistance Of the Spanish squadron
was In great part broken almost before
they had Rct beyond the range Of their
own forta The fine speed Of the Oregon
enabled her TO take a front position in
the chase and the Cristohal Colon did not
give up until the Oregon had thrown
a lS.inch shell beyond her. This perform,
ancc adds 10 the alrcAdy brillian: rccorl
Of this tne bAttleship and speaks highly
Of the skill and care with wale;l her al.
sn,;r, 80. ,,,n.s,,Ssa,. +, ~. NJ ~
49,, - - ~ - - RAJ. ny No. -
lien. r.a.ss,iv hlo..ssa,a. n,.,.,,,' -.
her an savsn..ee q .hs a. ,s.s,h go ~,
,n,,ate,ns.l Il ~ ara "a y. .,..s,a, ~
her sns hs,,srv Mir ,.sl,n. 49, - N. y
| Iaas ana N. Nsw Ynrs 49, s,,n,as
an ~, cha.a a.rInr a.. -, / n,s "a y
inv accident hrfallsn ,hs Ilnnllya \. ~ ~.