The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-24
And Survivors Forced to Haul Down
the Spanish Flag and Hoist the
White Emblem of Surrender.
GUNBOAT JORGE JUAN SUNK
AND THE BAY MADE SAFE AS A REN-
DEVIOUS FOR OUR FLEET.
Not an American Man or ship Injured
Great Havoc Created by the
Gums of the Topeka.

KEY WEST. Fla. July 2S.-The United
States gunboats Topeka, Annapolis. Wasp
and Leyden silenced the three Spanish forts
in Nipe bay. on the northern coast of the
province of Santiago de Cuba, on Thursday,
and sunk the Spanish gunboat Jorge Juan,
which lay in the harbor. Her crew escaped
in small boats under heavy fire from the
Leyden. The four ships mentioned, which
had entered under orders from Rear Ad-
miral Sampson, pounded the forts for an
hour, when the Spanish flag was hauled
down and the white flag run up. The Amer
leans did not lose a man, but the Spanish
loss must have been heavy. The Americans
took possession of the harbor as base of
operations for the Porto Rico campaign. 1t
is understood however, that the plans have
been changed since. in consequence of the
occupation of Santiago by the United States
forces, and that Nipe will not be used for
the purpose originally intended.
For week or more the Topeka had been
blockading the northeastern coast between
Cape Lucrecia and Cabonico, with strict or
ders from Commodore Howell not to at
tempt an entrance into any of the harbors.
A few days ago, while cruising past Nipe.
which is about midway in the blockade line,
ana directly across the island from the city
of Santiago, an armored launch. at least 100
feet long, came out and fired two shells.
both of which, however fell short The To-
peka returned the fire and chased the launch
into the harbor, but in consequence OF the
commodore's orders could not follow her in.
On Thursday the Annapolis. Wasp and
Leyden came from Santiago, and Captain
Hunker, of the Annapolis, who was ranking
officer. was surprised to learn that Nipe had
not been taken. Admiral Sampson had un-
derstood that this had been done, and had
orders for the monitors detailed to the Porto
Rico campaign to rendezvous there. When
the situation had been cleared up Captain
Hunker ordered the ships to go in. The
Wasp and Leyden, being the smallest Of the
quartet, led the way. followed by the An
napols, while the Topeka, which carried
heavier battery, brought up the rear.
The channel leading into the harbor was
very narrow, and on a bluff to the right.
called Gallery Point, was lighthouse and
fort. AS the ships entered the port the
Spaniards were signaling lively with blue
bah and light They were apparently noti-
flying the Spanish ships in the harbor of'the
approach of the Americans. These Spanish
ships were the Jorge Juan, two smaller gum
boats and the armored launch before men,
toned. AS the Wasp and Leyden rounded
the point the fort fired dozen shots. none
Of which, however, fell near them, and the
Topeka returned the fire with her three
Founders.
Almost Immediately the Spaniards de-
serted the fort and ran while the Topeka
continued to send shells into them. A body
of riflemen on the beach returned the fire
with few wild shots, but they, too, were
quickly dispersed by the Topeka's smaller
. guns. The Topeka also discharged two tor
pedoes. At the same time another small
fort to the left of the channel fired on the
American ships, but it was silenced as easily
as the other.
In the meanwhile the Wasp and Leyden
had taken up a position in the northwestern
81 portion Of the harbor and opened fire across
the water at the Jorge Juan, which lay to
the southeast, in front of the town Of May
ari. Her position was about mile and a
quarter from the beach. and behind her A
third fcrt stood on an eminence. This fort
opened fire on the Wasp and Leyden. and
as the Annapolis and Topeka came up tba
Spanish gunooat Joined in the fight, and
general battle followed.
The Topeka anchored in the middle Of the
harbor about 1000 yards from the jorge
Juan, and the other three American boats
drew up on either side and formed a semi
circle. They then closed in on the Spanish
ship. pouring a destructive fire at her and
the fort beyond. The Topeka sent several
four-inch shells crashing into the Jorge
Juan. and she sank within twenty minutes
When the firing became heavy the officers
and crew OF the spaniard put of in small
boats made the shore under heavy fire, and
escaped into the woods. Two shots from
the Topelv.s bow gun. fired on an elevation
Of 400 yards. dropped square into Mayarf
fort the Spanish pennanta disappeared and
white flag was run up. This ended O.