The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-29

had presented a fairly regular outline,
but now they had a jagged appearance.
Big gaps were plainly visible at Quintas
da RecrO, but there was not sign of
life there. Admiral Sampson had eff
fectually stopped the work on Punta
GOrda.
1t would have been perfectly feas-
ible for these three ships unaided to
have steamed past the Notifications
right into Matanzas and taken it or
shelled it at pleasure. After satisfying
himself that his object had been &C
complished. Admiral Sampson headed
back for Havana.
The Puritan and Cincinnati were left
to look after Matanzas and they will
see to it that MatanzaS is not the scene
of much fertilization work in the fu-
ture.
During the bombardment one of the
New Yorks engines at intervals went
1000 yards on Punta Gordo and 1000 on
Quinias da Recro, the machinery
working perfectly not only in the engine
room, but throughout the whole ship.
The bombardment gave an excellent,
though at the same time frightful il
Iustration of a waTship's death dealing
powers. Had a single ship been in the
place where the shells fell, it seems as
if she would have been blown to bits be-
fore she could have returned the fire.
When a 10000 ton ship, usually as
steady as a rock, shakes and trem bles
like a frightened child; when firmly fit
ted bolts start from their sockets, and
window panes and woodwork are shat
tered; when the roar pealS up from port
and starboard, then is realized the ter
rible power of a modern war ships bat
teries.
Scenes of intense interest occurred on
the hagShip'S deck during the lombard
ment. The center of attraction natur-
ally was about the forward bridge
where Rear Admiral Sampson paced up
and down, his long glass in hand, paus-
ing now and then to watch the effect
of the shots. Captain Chadwick was
at his side, in the dual capacity of CHER
of staff and captain of ship. Lieuten-
Lieutenant Commander Potter, execu-
tive officer of the ship and Lieutenant
]. Roller, the navigator, all were on the
bridge and as busy as they could be-
Three men were at the wheel and the
usual staff lookouts and signal boys
were in their places. The coming tow
with it's heavily protected sides, was
without an occupant. The whistling
of a few shells could not drive the men
who directed the fighting squadron
from their unprotected point of want
age. Directly beneath the bridge on
the superstructure, just aft of and
slightly above the forward turret, stood
Chaplain Royce. ready to give the last
consolation. Near the chaplain stood
Richard Harding Davis, representing the
London Times; Ralph D. Paine, repre-
senting the Philadelphia Press and the
correspondent of the Associated Press.
About 300 shots were fired during the
bombardment. The cruiser Cincinnati
did wonderfully quick and rapid work
with her batteries. The monitor Puri-
tan probably fired fewer shots than the
others, apparently not using her rapid
fire guns, but taking careful aim with
her 12-inch monster at Quintas da
Recro.
To those on board the flagship who
had never before been on a warship
when she was firing both batteries at
once and who had never heard the
shells whistle through the air, the ex-
perience was not so bad as anticipated.
The noise of the guns deafened some of
them slightly, but an application of
wool to the ears deadened its effect and
taken all in all, the shock of the broad
side was not SO great as had been ex-
pected.
The town of Matanzas, at no time was
in danger from our fire. 1t lies we'll to
the south of Punta Gorda If the
Spaniards had any killed, it musc have
been in the Notifications. Several per