The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-20

troops of the garrison, raising clouds
OF dust and causing fires to break out.
EXPECTING TO MEET THE SPAN
ISH FLEET.
1t was hoped the Spanish fleet would
emerge from the harbor as soon as the
firing began, n a feeling of deep dis
appointment spread through the fleet
when the lookouts reported the harbor
clear.
At the end of the third round the
monitor Terror failed to understand the
order to withdraw n gag MORO
castle alone for half an hour. AS seen
fror1 tie dispatch BOAT of the Associat-
ed Pr IS, which occupied a grand
stand position, the squatty little mont
tor, in tackling the towering fort. was
making a magnificent display of dar-
ing. The Terror moved in as If intend
ing to ram the forts and the Spanish
gunners evidently became greatly ex-
cited at her behavior. for they fired
rapidly and without aim. The Terror
was not touched. The scene was in
tensely interesting, but it was not so
exciting as had been expected. The
Spanish aim was SO astoundingly bad
that absolutely no anxiety was felt for
our ships. In fact, when the Spanish
forts fired volleys, which hid them in
smoke, followed a few seconds later by
the geyser-like spouting and s%plashing,
not dangerously near the Terror. de-
risive cheers went up from the colored
crew of the dispatch boat, standing in
her bow. The heavy swells somewhat
affected the aim of the gunner Of the
Terror, for some of her shells struck
the sea in front Of the forts. Finally
the Terror seemingly grew tired, and
slowly withdrew, firing as she steam
ed away. Then the ~Spaniards became
almost frantic with excitement and
blaZed away at the monitor until she
was long out of range.
On board the Iowa a boat was struck
and caught fire, an exhaust pipe dent
ed, the bridge railing shattered and
three men were slightly wounded. All
this was lone by the solitary shell
which struck the Iowa.
TWO DEAD AND FOUR WOUNDED.
One shell which exploded on the New
York killed a man, four 9TH
ers, chartered two search lights, splin-
tered a cutter, tore three holes in a
ventilator and broke a small davit arm.
Pieces of this shell were gathered UP
for souvenirs, but there were not
enough to go around. The New York
was hit only nee
When the dispatch boat of the AS
ISOLATED Press left San Juan for the
island of ST. Thomas with the dispatch
describing the engagement, the fleet
was preparing to bury the dea In ad-
dition to the man killed on board the
New York, a gunner's mate IN the
monitor Amphitrite died from the eff
fects of the heat.
OF the New York's -four wounded
men only two were seriously enough
hurt to call for their transfer to the
hospital ship SOlace, which subsequent
ly Joined the fleet.
The New York fired $50 shots, it is
stated, during the bombardment.
The cable operator at San Juan ca
bled to the operator at st. Thomas ear
ly on the morning of the 18th, nnoun
ing that a vigorous bombardment OF
the capital of Porto Rico was in prog.
| ress, adding that he was going tC
take to the woods. 1t is thought prob
| able hat most of the inhabitants OF
the place followed his example and flee
from the city soon after they were
awakened by the IOwa's first broadside
The only war vessel of a foreign pow
! err at San Juan during the lombard
ment was the small French cruiser
Rigault de Genouilly. She had hel
rigging cut by pieces of shell. After
the bOmbardment, the Frenchman left
for the island Of ST. Thomas, where
her commander told Captain Converse
| of the Montgomery, that the American
operations were entirely jutsifiable. L
is understood, however, that thu
French officers, in conversation will
other people. criticised the wisdom o.
the bombardment.