The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-29
TORPEDO BOAT ERICSSON.
Lieut.. Usher Tells About the Chase
and Rescue of Spania rds.
''U. S. Torpedo Boat Ericsson,

Lieut.. USner IeIiS ABOUT une OnhSc
and Rescue of Spaniards.
"U. S. Torpedo Boat Ericsson,
"Harbor of Guantanamo Cuba, July 8.
"Sir-1. In obedience of Article 437, Page
SO, United States Navy Regulations 1896, I
respectfully report that on the morning of
July 8, 1898, the United States torpedo beat
Ericsson was proceeding under half speed
on the starboard quarter of the United
States flagship New York towards Siboney
when the enemy was sighted coming out of
Santiago entrance we being then five 60 or
six Co miles to the east of the Morro The
vessels of our fleet were firing on the enemy.
The helm was put hard aport at once and
full power put on as speedily as possible
and the course directed toward the enemy's
ships the crew at quarters and the vessel
in all respects ready to deliver torpedo at
tack. By the time we had turned to west
ward two of the enemy's vessels were in
plain sight; they were followed at short in
tervals by the other two cruisers, and then
after a longer interval by the two torpedo
boat destroyers. The fire of the shore bat
teries supported the enemy's fleet and the
fire of both fleets was rapid and continuous.
The flagship New York had hoisted Signal
26O Close in towards harbor entrance and
attack vessels The Ericsson proceeded sas
speed gradually increasing. The shore bat
teries at entrance to Santiago were direct
ing their fire on the Gloucester at this time,
which was holly. engaged with the two tor
pedo boat destroyers At full speed we drew
near the entrance, and as we passed and
afterwards the fire of the shore batteries
was directed on us. Several shells struck
US, short or beyond and two burst over
head and over. The Ericsson was not
struck. The Brooklyn, Texas, Oregon,
Iowa and Indiana were closely engaged
with the Colon, Vizcaya, Oquendo and
Maria Teresa. The firing was furious. AS
we drew near the two torpedo boat destroy
ers were seen to strike to the Gloucester
and the Maria Teresa and Oquendo to,run
ashore strike their colors and disp, white
flags. They were both on fire and clouds of
steam arising from their matches and ports.
The Indiana remained near them; the Iowa
directed her fire on the Vizcaya and the
oregon Joined in the chase of the Colon.
The course of the Ericsson directed to-
wards the Vizcaya, pepared to deliver tor
pedo attack, but before we could arrive
within striking distance the Vizcaya was
seen to strike to the Iowa. run ashore and
burst into flames, her engines being left
I! running and clouds of steam issuing from
all her openings on deck and in her sides.
The course of the Ericsson was then set for
the Colon, which running very fast to
the westward, pursued by the Brooklyn,
Texas and Oregon. AS the Ericsson
was hauling away from the New York in
the chase signal was made Interrogatory
2S72: Request permission to continue the
chase The flagship hoisted negatively, and
by wig-wag signals directed the Ericsson
to pick up men in the water astern. Turned
Nnrfh n1 and YafF rod No
man afioat on piece of Wreckage and then
returned to the chase. the New York in
the meantime chasing fast after the Colon.
AS we came up with the Iowa, lying about
two miles seward of the ViZcaya, the
Ericsson was hailed and directed TO go in
shore and rescue the crew of the Vizcaya
from the burning vessel. Ran close along
side the Vizcaya and sent small boats TO
her, boats from the Iowa pulling in also at
the same time Explosions from the arhmu-
milton on board the ViZcaya began about
this time, and her guns, which had been left
the flames. The ViZcaya was on fire fore
and aft, but the mass of the fire was aft,
and the position of the Ericsson was peril
Gus in the extreme, and only the urgency OF
the occasion caused her to remain. Rescued
eleven officers and about ninety sailors
and marines from the vessel, many OF them
sorely wounded. The Spanish were no
SOONER taken on board than they urged inn
mediate withdrawal of the Ericsson, bat
this vessel remained until all alive had been
taken from the ViZcaya by the Ericsson
small boats and the boats from the Iowa.
used. The Ericssons deck was then crowd
ed with prisoners, most OF them naked and
many of them wounded ana she returned TO
the Iowa towing the Vizcaya's cutter also
filed with the prisoners. These were all
put on board the Iowa. and the Ericsson
nation given by the Resolute, which
came up and signaled, 'Enemy's ships
to eastward Spoke Resolute. which re-
ported that she had made out an enemys
battle ship off Siboney. then spoke trans
port Comal, which had only seen the sig
nal displayed by the Resolute; then spoke
Harvard, which reported having made out
an enemy's battle ship; requested Harvard
to notify Iowa and proceeded under full
speed eastward off the vicinity of Siboney
sighted Indiana and an Austrian battle
ship. The Indiana signaled Ericsson 10
come within hail and directed that we pro-
coed under full speed westward to notify our
vessels of presence of Austrian battle ship
Infanta Maria Teresa, which, desiring to go
commander-in-chief in view of the exist
ing conditions. Proceeded as directed I'M
til up with Iowa. Reported TO Iowa that
all our coal was almost gone and that we
were using salt feed in the boilers. the
vessel only carrying two hours fresh feed
at full power and the Ericsson then having
been over four hours under full power. Re
ceiVed permission to return eastward and
proceeded until signaled by Harvard to come
within hail. BY her was directed TO tow
her boats to and from the burning wrecks
of the Maria Teresa and Oquendo. This
was accordingly done until no more persons
remained to be rescued from the vessels.
the remaining prisoners being all ashore on
the beach Received permission from the
Harvard 10 proceed westward. About p.
spoke Iowa and received permission 10 so
to Guantanamo for coal and water at which
harbor Ericsson arrived at 9:45 p. m and
reported the victory to the commanding
officer of United States steamship Massa-
chusetts. the senior officer present.
''3 There were no casualties on board this
vessel.
%. / respectfully commend the good con-
duet of Edward Ryan G.. NJ. SECOND c.. L.,
who manned the small boat and brought off
the officers and men from the stern of the
III. larA.r e. d.ln