Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-06-11
FORTS SILENCED.
Admiral Sampson Riddles the
Defenses of Santiago.
GREAT DAMAGE INFLICTED.
A Torrent Of Shells Fell Upon the
Spanish Works.
MARINESM SMAY HAVE BEEN LANDED

Previous to the Bombardment Orders Were
Issued to Avoid Firing on MORO Castle,
as Lieutenant Hobson and His Brave Com
panions Are There Confned-The Brook
Iyn Approached to Within Eight Hun
dred Yards of a Spanish Battery-The
Spanish Fire Failed to Strike Our Ships.
Kingston, Jamaica, June S.-Tho
American fleet Monday morning en-
gagged the Spanish batteries defending
the entrance of the harbor of Santiago
de Cuba, and after three hours bonn
bardment silenced nearly all the forts.
destroyed several earthworks and rem
dered the Estrella and Cave batteries
the two principal fortihcations, use
less.
The feet formed in double column,
six miles off MORO Castle, at o'clock
In the morning, and steamed slowly
5000 yards of shore. the Brooklyn
leading, followed by the Marblehead,
Texas and Massachusetts, and turned
westward. The second line, the New
York leading, with the New Orleans,
Yankee, Iowa and Oregon following,
turned eastward.
The Vixen and Suwanee were far out
on the left flank watching the rifiemen
on shore. The Dolphin and Porter did
similar duty on the right flank The
line headed by the New York attacked
the new earthworks near MORO Castle.
The Brooklyn column took up sta
ton opposite the Estrella and Cata-
lima batteries and the new earthworks
along the shore.
The Spanish batteries remained ST.
lent. II is doubtful whether the Span
iards were able to determine the char
acter of the movement, owing to the
dense fog and heavy rain. Suddenly
the Iowa fired n u inch shell, which
struck the base OF the Estrella bat
terry and tore up the works.
Instantly firing began from both col
umns. and a torrent of shells from tn,
ships fell upon the Spanish works
The Spaniards replied promptly, bu
their shots went wide. Smoke settle,
around the ships in dense Clouds rem
dering accurate aiming difficult. Their
was no maneuvering of the feet. tn
ships remaining at their original sta
uons and firing steadily. The squad
rons were so close in shore that it wa
difficult for the American gunners t
reach the batteries on the hill tops
but their firing was excellent.
Previous to the bombardment order
were issued to prevent firing on Morr
Castle, as the American admiral ha
been informed that Lieutenant Hob
son and the other prisoners Of tn
Merrimac are confined there. In spit
OF this, however, several stray shot
damaged Morro Castle somewhat.
Commodore Schley's line move
closer in shore, firing at shorter rang
The Brooklyn and Texas caused viii
havoc among the Spanish shore bat
teries, quickly silencing them. Will
the larger ships were engaging th
heavy batteries the Suwanee and IL
Vixen closed with the small in-shol
battery opposite them, raining rap
fire shots upon IT and quickly placir
the battery out of the fight.
The Brooklyn closed to 500 yard
and then the destruction caused by h
guns and those Of the Marblehead al
Texas was really awful. In a few mi
utes the woodwork of the Estrella 70
was burning and the battery was 6
fenced, firing no more during the e
gagement.
Eastward the New York and Ne
Orleans silenced the Cave battery
quick order, and then shelled Il
earthworks located higher up.
Later the practice was not so acc
rate, owing to the elevation OF t
guns. Many OF the shells struck, ho'
ever, and the Spanish Eunpers retire
Shortly after o'clock the fri
ceased, the warships turning in ord
80 permit the use of their port bs
teries. The firing was then resume
and became a long, reverberating era
OF thunder, and the shells ralred t
Spanish batteries with terrible effe
Fire broke out In the Catalina &c
and silenced the Spanish guns there.
The firing Of the fleet continued u
ell 10 o'clock, when the Spanish
ceased entirely and Rear Admir-
Sampson hoisted the cease firing 81
nal.
Generally the fire OF the fleet W
very destructive. Many OF the cart
works we're knocked to pieces and
KatTalla and Catalina -fortldcatiQ