Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-07-30
THE LONG DESIRED ACCOUNT
SAMPSON AND sCHLEY REPORT.
The ADMIRAL Praises the Gloucester
and RrIeay Commends AII-SchIey
Gives Praise to His Officers ana
Men and to the Captains of the
Oregon, Texas and Iowa.

Washington, July 26.-The Navy de-
raIl ncrJ today mace public the reports
of Admiral Sampson, Commodore Schley'
Captain Clark of the Oregon and captain
Evans Of the Iowa on the battle OF July
,. which resulted in the destruction OF
Cervera's squadron. The admIrals re-
port in part, follows:
United States Flagship New York,
first rate, off Santiago de Cuba, July 10,
lS0S.-.Sir:
Tie positions of the vessels of my com
mand off Santiago at the moment were:
Flagship New York was four miles east
of her blockading station and about seven
miles from the harbor entrance. She had
started for Sboney, where | intended to
land. accompanied by my staff, and go
IN fine front to consult General Shatter
for 4 discussion of the situation and for
a more definite understanding between us
of the operations proposed, which mad
been rendered necessary by the uneNpect-
edly strong resistance of the Spanish gar
I1son at Santiago. ! had sent my chief OF
staff on shore the day before to arrange
an interview with General Shatter who
had been suffering from heat prostlatloh.
/ made arrangements to 90 to his head
quarters and my flagship was III the posi-
ton mentioned above when the Spanish
squadron appeared in the channel The
remaining vessels were in OF near their
usual blockadng positions, distributed III
a semi circle about the harbor entrance.
The men of our ships in front OF the
port were at Sunday quarters for inspee-
ton The signal was made simuItane-
ou,ly from several vessels, 'Enemy's ships
escaping and general quarters was
sounded The men cheered as they Sprang
to their guns and fire was opened prob
ably within eight minutes by the vessels
whose guns commanded the entrance. The
New York turned about and steamed for
the escaping squadron flying the signal,
Close in toward harbor entrance and at
tack vessels, and gradually increasing
speed until toward the end of the chase
she was making sixteen and half knots
and was rapidly closing ON the CriStobal
Colon. She was not at any tlme within
the range VI the ht'NH 'P"ii7' '''' - '''>'
her only part in the firing was to receive
the undivided fire from the forts in pass
inc the hai'bor entrance and to fire few
shot. at one of the destroyers, though
at the moment the destroyer was at
tempting to escape from the Gloucester.
The skillful handling and gallant fight
1.- -,-r enc ,rlOucestCt, was rfie ADMIRATION
of everyone who witnessed it, and merits
the commentator of the navy depart
ment The destroyers probably suffered
much injury from the fire of the second
ary batteries of the battleships Iowa. In
diana and Texas, yet ! think consider
able factor of their speedy destruction
was the fire at close range of the Glouces
ter battery After rescuing the surviv-
ors of the destroyers the Gloucester did
excellent service in landing and securing
the crew of the Infanta Maria Teresa.
Thi, rescue of prisoners, including the
wounded from the burning ships, was the
occasion of some of the most daring and
gallant conduct of the day. The ships
were burning fore and aft. their guns and
reserve ammunition were exploding and
it was not known at what moment the
fire would reach the main magazines. In
addition to this heavy surf was run
ming just inside of the Spanish ships. But
no risk deferred our officers and men UNI
ill our work of humanity was complete.
SchIey Praised With the Rest.
When all the work was done 50 well,
it i, difficult to discriminate in praise.
The object of the blockade of Cervera's
squadron was fully accomplished and
each individual bore we'll his part of it
the commodore in command of the see
ond division, the captains of ships their
officers and men. The fire of the battle
ships was powerful and destructive ana
the resistance OF the Spanish squadron
was in great part broken almost before
they had got beyond the range of their
own forts. The fine speed of the Oregon
enabled her to take Il front position in
the chase and the Cristobal Colon did not
give up until the Oregon had thrown
a l3-inch she'll beyond her. THIS perform.
lnce adds to the already brilliant: record
OF this fine bdttleship and speaks highly
ct the skill and care with Wnirh her adj
mirable efficiency has been maintained
during service unprecedented in the his.
cory Of veSse of her class. The Brook
lvn's westerly blockading position gave
ner an advantage in the chase which She
maintained to the end and sac employed
her fine battery with telling effect The
J"Nas and the New York wete gaining
on tn" chase during the last horr and had
any accident befallen the Brooklyn or the
Oregon would speedily have Ucrh1ulcd
the Cristobal Colon.
SchIey's Report.
Washington, July 26,-The following