The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-02
YES! THEY REMEMBER THE MAINE
Lesson First===Complete Roat of the Spanish Fleet
in the Waters of the Pacific. Now Occupy
One of the Philippine Islands.
STORY OF THE FIERCE BATTLE.

London, May 1.-The American squad
ron, commanded by Commodore Dewey,
won a complete and glorious Victory over
the Spanish fleet in the Philippines to-day
The fighting was of the tiercest character
last II sfrom O'Clock this mor ! g.
until ono O'Clock this aiternt Oh Ino
bravery of the American seamen was OF
the highest character, and, led by the In
trepid Dewey, inflicted upon the enemy II
blow that Hay be termed almost verita-
bic rout,
During tho night Commodore Dewey
Rlgnuleu tu his war ships that were III
SIbic Bay, 80 mics 10 tho north of Manila
harbor, to clear the ships for action and to
follow him. The squadron got under way
with the flagship Olympia leading, and
followed by the cruiser Baltimore, cruiser
Boston, cruiser Raleigh Gunboat Concord
gunboat Petrol, revenue cutter McCulloch
and transports Mansham and -IHtiro'
Yhere had been consultation OF the cap
tains on board the flagship during the
night audit was decided that the hrst
stroke should be made decisive.
At4.15 o'clock this morning the lookou!
ON the masthead of tho Olympia reported
the Spanish fleet off the port bow lipsd up
between Cavlte and the mouth OF Manila
harbor. Tho distance betwosn the two
places Is about eight miles. Tho Spanish
beet was commanded by Admiral Montijo
and consisted of the cruiser Relna Cristina,
csuiser Castillo, cruiser Velasco, cruiser
Don Antonio do ulloa, cruiser Don Juan
de Austria, gunboat General Leo, gun
boat Ell Cano, gunboat 1sla de Cuba gun
boat Isla dc Luzon and dispatch boat Mar.
ques del Duero.
The news OF the battle, which comes
through Government sources and by way
Of the Spanish cable, show that the attack
was terrible in its energy. Signaling Tor
the American transports to keep well out
md that the Olympia and Baltimore
would engage the Spanish admirals flag
ship the Rpina Cristina and the Castilla,
the largest OF the enemv'I fleet, the Amer
lean war ships moved In line OF battle on
the Spaniards. -.
On both sides OF Manila harbor are erect
el forts well manned, though the reports
as to the strength of their armament haVe
baen conflicting
AS soon as his ships had been worked
around so that their starboard batteries
presented broadside to the enemy, Com
modore Dewey began terrific cannon
hding of the enemy's ships and the span
ish forts. Every shot told. Tho Olympia
battery consists OF four eight-inch rifles,
ten fiveinch rapid.fire guns, Ii slx'pouna-
srs. six ono-ponnders, -four machine guns
nnu SIX bOrp6lO UuUeS. 1 no hoafiooe 80
terry OF the enemy was on the Reina Girls
tina, which had six 62-inch Hontoria
guns, two2 Finch and three 2 inch, rap
Sd-flro.guns; two l.5-inch, six three-pound'
srs, two machine guns and live torpedo
tlbes
: Commodore Dewey directed the move
ments of the squadron from the onnning
tower of the Olympia. He moved his ship
close up to the Rsina Cristina aud sent
shell after shell blowing into the spanish
admirable hull. Captain Charles V. Grid'
ley, OF the Olympia, was with him The
superior aim and heavier projectiles OF tue
Olympia soon began to tell, and the hre
from the Spanish grew moro VII anu
somewhat slower.
Captain Dyer, OF the Baltimore, put his
Rbip in close fighting distance to the Cas-
tlla The Baltimore has four eight-incf
and six six.inch guns in her main battery
10 the Castila's four 5.9-inch krupp guns
and two 4.7.inch and three 2 2-inoh guns
Both ships have good secondary batterie:
Tor cruisers.
The din Of battle was terrific. All TIM
while the Spanish forts were Keeping VI
an iucessant fire on the American teet
The ships were developed In cloud o
smoke, weighted by the early morning ayr
md the incsssant crack OF tho rapid ur'
RpIs and booming of the big,guns mln9Ie'
into yoluminOu5 thupuor.