Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1898-07-27
SAMPSON AND SeHLBYl
Their Report IN the Destruction Of Ger
vera's Spanish Fleet.
EVERY VESSEL GIVEN CREDIT.

4NhAA Hhaahk NANnA kNEkAAH
Washington, July 26.-The navy de-
partment to-day made public the reports
Of Admiral sampson, Commodore Schley,
Captain Clark OF the Oregon and Captain
Byans Of the Iowa on the battle Of July
3, which resulted in the destruction Of
Cervera's squadron. After giving the
location Of the blOcksding squadron and
the manner In which the Spanish fleet
same out OF the harbOr, Sampson says:
The men of our ships in front Of the
port were at Sunday quarters for in
spection. The signal was made stimuli
taneously from several vessels that the
enemy's ships were escaping and general
quarters sounded. The men cheered a.
they sprang TO the guns and Gre was
opened probably within eight minutes by
the vessels whose guns commanded the
entrance. The New York turned about
and steamed for the escaping feet, flying
the signal to close In towards the harbOr
entrance aud attack the vessels. and
gradually increasing speed until toward
the end Of the chase she was making
sixteen and one half knots and was
rapidly closing on the Cristobal Colon.
She was not at any time within range Of
the heavy Spanish ships and her only
part In the firing was 10 receive the un-
divided fire from the forts In passing the
harbOr entrance and to fire a few shots
at one OF the destroyers, thought at that
moment 10 be attempting 70 escape from
the Gloucester.
The Spanish vessels, upon clearing the
harbor. turned 10 the westward in a
column, increasing their speed 10 the
full power Of their engines. The heavy
blOckading vessels, which had closed In
toward MORO at the instant OF the
enemy's appearance at their best speed,
delivered a rapid FIRE, we'll sustained and
destructive, which speedily overwhelmed
and silenced the Spanish fire. The initial
speed OF the Spaniards carried them
rapidly past the blocading vessels aud
the battle developed into a chase In
which the Brooklyn and Texas had at
the start the advantage Of position. The
Brooklyn maintained this lead until the
Oregon steaming with amazing speed
from the commencement Of the action,
took arst place. The Iowa and Indiana
had done work, and not having the speed
OF the other ships were compelled to drop
out OF the chase and resume b~lockading
stations. These vessels rescued many
prisoners. The Vixen finding that the
rush Of the Spanish ships would put her
between two fires, ran outside OF our own
column and remained there during the
battle and chase.
The skilltul handling aud gallant fight
ing Of the Gloucester took the admiration
OF every one who witnessed 1t and merits
the commendAtion of the navy depart
ment. Anticipating the appearance OF the
Pluton and Furor, the Gloucester was
slowed, thereby gaining more rapidly a
high pressure Of steam, and when the
destroyers came out she steamed fol-
them at full speed and was able to close
at short range, where her fire was accu.
rate, deadly and OF great volume. During
!, this eight the Gloucester was under th'
fire OF SOcapa battery. Within twenty
minutes from the time they emerged from
Santiago harbor the careers OF the FurOl
and PlutOn were ended and two.thirds Of
! their people killed. The Furor was beacheC
and sunk In the surf. The Pluton sanl
In deep water a few minutes later, Tn,
destroyers probably suffered much injury
from the fire Of the secondary batterie,
Of the battleships Iowa, Indiana anC
Texas, yet | think a very considerable,
factor in their speedy destruction was tn,
FIRE at close range Of the Gloucester bat
terry. After rescuing the survivors OF tn
destroyer, the Gloucester did excellen.
service in landing and securing the crew
Of the Infanta Maria Teresa.
The method OF escape attempted by tn,
spaniards, all steering In the same di
rectiOn and in formation, removed al
tactical doubt or difficulties and mad
plain the duty Of every United States yes
sel to close in Immediately and engag,
In pursuing the ships, which wa
promptly and effectually done.
The rescue OF prisoners, including tn
wounded from burning Spanish vessels
was the occasion OF some OF the mos
daring and gallant conduct Of the day
! The ships were burning fore and aft
their guns and reserve ammunition ex
ploding, and II was not known at wha
moment fire would reach the main mag
azines. In addition to this a heavy sur
: was running just inside the spanisI
ships. But no risk deferred our officer
: and men. When all work was done 8
well it is difficult to discriminate Il
praise. The object OF the blockade O
Ceryera's squadron was fully accom-
lished and each individual bore we'll hi
part in 1t; the commodore in cOmman
OF the second division, the captains
thp uAipus thtAi uulCtlh uuu uleus
The Gre OF the battleships was power
. full aud destructive aud the resistranc
d OF the Spanish squadron wa in a grea
part broken almost before they got be
You'd the range OF their forts. The an
D, speed OF the Oregon enabled her to TAX
a front position in the chase and N
ChristObal Colon did not give up unit
J the Oregon had thrown a i3-inch she
N beyond. This performance adds to III
already brilliant record Of this fin
battleship. The BrOOklyn's westerl
: b~lOckading position gave her IN advan.
age In the chase, which she maintaine
b, to the end and, she employed her dI
re- battery with telling effect. The Tex