The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-03
New Orleans Guns Did Good Mork
at Santiago.
BATTERIES WERE GREATLY DAMAGED
A Couple OF Shells Found the Span
isn Flagship.
ACCOMPLISHED HIS PURPOSE
which Was 10 Find out the Loca-
tion of the batteries on the HILLS
Preparatory TO Attack.
(special cable ts The Post and New Yort
Herald Copyright, 1885 by James Gordoz
Bennett

speoial cable to The Post and New YorN |
Herald Copyright, 1898 by James Gordon
Bennettl
On Board The Post erald's Dispatch
Boat. via Port Antonio. Jamaica, June q
the example Of his superior at
san Juan. Commodore schley on Tuesday
shelled the Notifications at the mouth of
the harbor Of Santiago de Cuba.
Not only did be accomplish his object,
which was to locate the Notifications and
gauge their strength. but he succeeded in
greatly damaging the batteries and sending
= she'll or two into Ceryeras flagship. the
Cristobal Colon. without losing a man or
having one Of his ships injured.
Commodore schleys purpose was to
prepare for decisive attack on Santiago
on Admiral SIMPSONS arrival. and he sue
ceeded admirably, for now the fleet off,
GERS know just what they may expect from
the Spanish defenses
1t was not the intention to engage Ger
yera's fleet. and the firing on the Cristobai
Colon was only an incident
This engagement was the initiation OF
the Brazilian warship Ama2onia. now the
United States cruiser New Orleans. into the
American service. and she acquitted her
self nobly,
Commodore schley early in the day
shifted his flag from the Brooklyn to the
signslled the Iowa the New Orleans and
the auxiliary cruiser Vixen-once the pleas
ure yacht Josephlne--to form column"
Moving at about nine knots an hour. with
the Massachusetts, in the lead, the column
uovod from west TO east along the harbor
entrance 5000 yards away at first. but grad
ually drawing in nearer.
| Suddenly the Massachusetts sent two
1 shells through The air from the thirteen
/ inch guns in her after turret Well hal
the gunners gagged the range one shot
struck the Cristobal Colon living IN the
harbor, and the other struck the water
not more than fifty feet away firm her.
hardly spread when the forward turret
= guns spoke almost together the shells
from them falling dangerously near the
Spanish atmirals flagship.
Quickly the gunners in old Moro cas-
tie and In the lofty batteries OF punta Cor
da and zoeapa took up the Massachusetts.
challenge 10 battle. Their FIRE at first wa.
directed at her, but she was almost on
Of range before they were at il.
Seeing their shots at the flagship fal
short the Spanish gunners turned to tn,
cruiser New Orleans, which was trailinl
after the Massachusetts,. with the Iowa
half mile further behind.
Any doubt navy officers may have hai
ahous the New Orleans guns was dispelle,
with her arst shot. Rising swiftly up iron
one OF her large guns. proiectie erashe,
into battery on the hills Jus. north O
, old Moro. sending up a mass of debri
high in the air Again and again her gun
spoke, and each time il was 10 Spain
I cost, Two of her shots struck MORO castl
o and others. without great damage. tn
5 nelghtoring batteries,
As the New Orleans moved out
= range the Iowa brought her twel Inc
e guns into play on the Cristobal Colos
g which, although somewhat damaged by III
Massachusetts, had moved closer TO th
r harbog entrance.
A lively interchange OF shots between ba
tleship and cruiser continued several mis-
uies without damage TO either. althoug
two Of the Spanish shells threw ln the foa
e quite near Fighting Bob" Evans craft
As the column passed the harbor 81
% trance, the Massachusetts, turned again
. the west and led her ironclad hcnchIn,
!, back over the course,
" The Vixen. which had bravcly used u
II six FOUNDER as she followed the Iowa
&, wake, was ordered to keep out OF dang
10 Swerving In until she was only 40
l yards from the heailands. the Msssachl
A. seits again let loose with her guns, Il
- hiciing considerable punishment on q
smaller batteries along tho shore,
which the New Orleans added as she can
by.
Al this time the Spaniards were kee
ing w hot FIRE, but none OF their sho
took effect, most OF them falling shor
The Iowa, however. again had a narro
esoane from being hit.
Having accomplished what he set o
to do. Commodore Sehley. after steamil
the second time past the harhor on d
Massachusetts. pu, TO sea. and the 9th
vessels followed, The Spanish guns ke
firing long after they were out OF range.
In all. the Spsniards fired about 500 sho,
not one OF which did any damage TT
American ships did not fre more tn.
sseventy shots, and most OF them told