The herald., 1898-06-13

the sea. The rain came down heavily at
s11 and the smoke was so thick that 1t was
impossible to tell the effect of the shells and
a general signal to cease firing was hoisted-
By this time the enemy was almost silenced.
A few minutes later, with more deliberation,
the attack was recommended. Commodore
Schley's division, at this time and until the
end of the bombardment, could only be seen
family, while clouds arising on the west
ern arm Of the harbor were the only sign
that there was another attacking force be-
sides the easterly column.
The New York steamed closer, until she
was 1000 yards east of the batteries, and
mile from the shore. In this position most
effective work was done. three guns on the
eastern battery being dismounted. The ma
val reserves on the Yankee cheered vocifer-
ousy every few minutes as shots were seen
to land.
The officers on deck were at this stage
Of the engagement rugged out in their SOU
westers and oilskins. The admiral went be-
low, reappeared in black oilskins, and
tramped the forward bridge. Captain Chad
wick was outside the coming tower, just
below the admiral.
An incessant firing was kept up by the
easterly column, then using its starboard
batteries. The guns and buildings adjoining
MORO received awful punishment. The
Spanish flag flying on Morro castle was shot
away, but was quickly hoisted.
The Batteries Silenced
At 9:45 a. M, when there was no further
response from the enemy, the New York
signaled to cease firing and steamed away.
The Yankee was allowed to still batter away
at the three guns to the westward, all that
was left.
When the New York passed the New Or
leans Captain Chadwick hailed her, on the
Admirals order, and shouted to her through
the megaphone to join the Yankee and dis
mount the three guns to the right of Morro
castle. Captain Folger shouted back: Aye,
aye, sir; we can do it."
The New Orleans crew gave an enthusi-
astic yell as they heard Captain Folger's re-
ply and followed this up with three ringing
cheers for the New York.
The fiagships crew gave it back with in
terest Then the Oregon, which was close
by, followed the New Orleans example and
cheered Justify. The New Yorks crew did
not seem to realize that the Oregon had
cheered tenn and did not reply. ANSWER
that cheer" shouted Captain Chadwick,
and a great yell went up from the New
York. The navy regulations forbid cheer
ing, but regulations don't count for much
when the enemy's guns are silenced. The
New Orleans proceeded on her errand,
joined the Yankee and Dolphin and banged
away merrily at the silent guns. The New
York steamed across the mouth of the har-
Dor to the westerly end of the column. One
mortar battery inside the harbor, which
had not been seen before, sent one or two
shells in the direction of the flagship, but
not dangerously close. The Brooklyn,
Texas, Massachusetts, Marblehead and
Vixen were still firing.
At 1921 not 1:21, as previously eabled)
general signal to cease firing was hoisted,
the smoke cleared away from the sides of
the ships and they resumed their blockade
stations.
Nothing to Shoot At
One of the officers of the flagship was
heard to remark: "There is nothing more
to fire at just now; we have silenced their
fire effectively" What destruction was
done by our shells 1t is impossible to tell.
The defenses of Santiago de Cuba cannot
be compared to those of San Juan de Porto
Rico"
The bombardment was little more than
target practice. The enemy apparently de-
serted their guns soon after the firing COM
menced, and had it not been for the Mer-
rimac heroes. thought. to, be in Moro cas-
tle there would now be little left Of that
picturesque pile.
The men behaved splendidly through
out The bombardment of Santiago de Cuba
although perhaps more effective than the
bombardment of San Juan de Porto Rico,
cannot be compared with the cannonading
of the latter. The work done this morning
should make it easy for land attack by the
troops AS at Matanzas and at San Juan,
smoke and distance made 1t impossible to
tell the exact damage done by the shells.
The firing at times was short and wild, due
to those causes.
About noon, while the Dolphin was lying
close into cove few miles east of MORO
castle, she commenced firing on the Shore
apparently at some troops. She kept this
up for an hour or more. The other ships
lay quietly in their usual positions and there
was nothing to indicate that heavy bonn
bardment had been progressing few
hours before. Later the Dolphin signaled
that she had disabled carload of soldiers
and had knocked down blockhouse.