Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-05-10

The spanIards seemed encouraged to frc
faster, knowing exactly our distance, while
we had TO guess theirs. Their ship and shore
guns were making things hot for US.
Still the flagship stcered for the centre of
the Spanish line, and, as our other ships were
astern, the Olympia received most of the
Spaniards' attention.
Owing to our deep draught, Commodore
Dewey felt cons trained to change his course
at distance of 900 yards and run parallel
to thcspanish column. "oped with oil gnns, .
he said, and the ship brought her port broad
side bearing.
The roar of the aagship's i've inch rapid
irers was followed by deep diapason of her
after turret eight-inchers. Soon our other
vessels were equally hard at work, aud we
could see that our shells were making CaYite
harbor hotter for the Spaniards than they had
made the approach for ms.
Protected by their shore batteries and made
safe from close attack by shallow water, the
spaniards were in strong position. They
put up a gallant fight. The Spanish ships
were sailing back and forth behind the Gas
tilla, and their fire, too, was hot.
One shot struck the Baltimore, and passed
clear through her, fortunately hitting no one.
Another ripped up her main deck, disabled q
six-iDch gun and exploded box of three
FOUNDER ammunition, wounding eight men.
The Olympia was struck abreast the gun In
the wardroom by shell which burst outside
doing Ettle damage.
Tie signal halyards were cnt from Licuten.
ant Brumby's hand on the after bridge. A
shell entered the Boston's port quarter and
burst in Ensign Dodridge's state room, start
ing hot fire, aud fire was also caused by 9
shell which burst in the port hammock net.
ting. Both these fires were quickly put out
Another shell passed through the Roston'i
foremast just in front of Captain Wildes, or
the bridge.
After having nude four runs along the
Spanish line, finding the chart incorrect, Lieu
tenant ealkins, the Olympia navigator, toli
the Commodore he believed he could take the
ship nearer the enemy; with lead going IL
watch the depth of water. The flagship
started over the course for the fifth time, run
ming within 1000 yards of the Spanish vessels
| At this range even six-pounders were effec
tive, and the storm of shells poured upon til,
unfortunate Spanish began to show marked
results.
On finishing this run Commodore Dewe,
decided to give the men breakfast as they hat
been at the guns two hours, with only on,
cup of coffee to sustain them. Action ceased
temporarily at twenty-five minutes of eIgh
o'clock, the other ships passing the flagship
and cheering Justify.
1 Our ships remained beyond range of the en-
cmy's guns until ten minutes of If o'clock
when the signal for close action again wen
up. The Baltimore had the place of honor ii
the lead, with the flagship following and til,
other chips as before
The Baltimore began firing at the Spanish
ships and batteries at sixteen minutes pnst 1.
O'clock, making series of hits as if ut large
practice. The spaniards replied slowly, ant
the Commodore sienalled the Raleigh, th,
Boston, the Concord and the Petrol to go int
the inner harbor and destroy all the enemy
ships.
By her light draught the little Petlel wa
enabled to moyc within GOO yards. Here,
firing swiftly but accurately, she commanded
everything still flying the Spanish flag.
Other ships were also doing their whole
duty, and soon not one red and yellow ensign
remained afoat, except on battery up til,
coast. The Spanish flagship and the Castilla
had long been burning fiercely, and the last
vessel to be abandoned was the Don Antonio
dc UlIoa, which lurched over and sank.
Then the Spanish flag on the arsenal staff
was hauled down, and at hclf-past 10 O'Clock
white flag was hoistcd there. Signal wa.
made to the Petrol to destroy all the vessels in
the inner harbor, and Lieutenant Hughes
with an armed boats crew, set fire to the Don
Juan de Austria, Marquis Luero the Isla dc
Cuba and the Correo.
The large transport Manila aud many tug
boats and small craft fell into our hands.
g Capture or destroy Spanish squadron
were DewNy's orde-s. Never were instruc-
tinns more effectually carried out. Within
seven hours after arriving on the scene OF
action nothing remained to be done.