The record-union., 1898-07-11

and central ships of the blockading
squadron. At 10 a. m. the Brooklyn
was nearest and engaged the two lead
ing ships, which were close together
with an interval Of three-Quarters OF
mile and then the second ship and the
Cristobol Colon. At 1905 the Brooklyn
turned with a port helm, making the
complete turn to the east so that she
was again heading west. The enemy's
leading ships were on her starboard
quarter and the fourth vessel was COM
ing up astern rapidly. AT this time the
Vixen was west of the leading ship and
was steaming on parallel course.
For the next fifteen minutes the
Brooklyn received and returned the fire
of the two leading ships and an occa-
sional shot from the Cristobal Colon.
AT 1870 the chase was well formed,
the positions being as follows: The
enemy's ships in column between Ca
Eanas and Guayacabon. the Brooklyn
steering a parallel course a mile dis
tant, with the Oregon two miles south
east. The other American vessels were
cbscured by the smoke.
At 1O:3.i the Colon and the leading
ships of the enemy were close together.
just clear of the Brooklyn's bow, as
viewed from the Vixen, the Cristobal
Colon gaining speed and closing up.
1t was apparent that the leading yes
sci was disabled and on fire. as she
dropped rapidly astern. She appar-
emily headed for shore off Juan Con
ZaleS.
The Oregon, forging ahead capitally,
engaged the fourth ship. AS she passed,
two smaller Spanish vessels, probably
the Furor and Pluton, to the west
ward of Cabanas engaged the Iowa and
the Texas, though apparently on fire.
But the leading vessels We're too far
to the west to be identified accurate
ly. The Indiana was in sight, little
to the west of MORO Castle.
AT 1924 the Cristobal Colon was still
gaining and was reserving her fire. At
this moment the only American vessels
seen from the Vixen were the Brooklyn.
Oregon, Texas and Iowa, six miles be-
hind the Oregon. The Indiana was
four miles astern of the Iowa.
At 10:3I the Cristobal Colon and 9TH
er Spanish ships resumed the heavy
fire. The second vessel was five miles
from the Vixen. The Oregon was gain
ing rapidly on the Cristobal Colon.
which was using smokeless powder.
The enemy's fire was very high. and
many Of their shots passed over the
Brooklyn falling close to the Vixen,
a piece of shell tearing the flag at her
main mast.
At 1915 the Brooklyn forged ahead
and the Oregon fired her forward 13-
inch gun at the leading Spanish yes
sci. At 10:41 the Texas, in front of
the Iowa, was gaining rapidly. At this
time the Brooklyn's fire was steady and
deadly her shells striking or burst
ing alongside of the Spaniards.
At 1919 the Texas reached San Con-
zales. and the Indiana was apparently
off Cabanas. At 1880 the Vixen ap-
preached, heading northwest. The Tex
was gaining rapidly; the Iowa ap-
peared to be off Juan Gonzales, and
the yacht appeared off Guayacabon,
hotly engaging the enemy's ships. At
1854 another Spanish vessel was on
fire and heading for the beach with a
heavy list to port This was the Viz
caya, making for the reef at Acer-
radores At 11:O1 the Vizcaya ported
her helm and headed east, apparently
seeking the entrance to Acerradores.
The Texas and Vixen directed their
fire on the ViZcaya until II :O7, when,
as the colors went down, we ceased.
At 11:O9 there came a burst of flame
and smoke from the Vizcaya's stern,
and all the ships resumed their fire
while passing the doomed vessel, which
was hard on Acerradores Reef.
At 11:1G the Brooklyn. Oregon. Tex
as, Iowa and Indiana, the last named
five miles from the Cristobal Colon,
We're in sight Of the Vixen. 1t was
believed that Acerradores was the des-
tination of the Spanish flagship. At
11:25 the Iowa had stopped. The after
end of the Vizcaya was sheet of
flame, and from 11:26 to 11:42 there
were many explosions on board the
Spanish cruiser. apparently caused by
the ignition of loose charges about the
guns. They resembled huge chysan-
themums with ribbons of smoke as the
burning powder grains fell from the
end of the petals.