Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-27

snort time there was an almost continu-
Gus flight of pfojecties over this shin but
when our line was fairly engaged, and the
Iowa mad made d swift advance as if TO
ram or close. the enemy's fire became de-
fectivo in train as well as range. The shin
was only struck three times and at least
two of them were by fragments of shells
We had no casualties.
las soon as it was evident thar Tho
enemys ships were trying to break through
and escape to the westward, we went
ahead at full speed with the determination
of carrying out to the utmost your order:
If the enemy tries to escape the sh;ps
must close and engage as soon as pos
sible and endeavor to sink his vessels or
force them TO run ashore We soon passed
all our ships except the Brooklyn, bearing
the broad pendant of Commodore Schley
At first We only used our main battery
but when it was discovered that the
enemyS torpedo boats were following our
ship. we used our rapid firing guns as well
as the six-inch upon them with telling eff
feet. AS we ranged w near the sternmost
of their ships she headed for the beach
evidently OIL fire. We raked her as We
passed, pushing on for the next ahead,
using our starboard guns as they We're
brought to bear and before we had passed
her fairly abeam she too was making for
the beach. The two remaining vessels were
now some distance ahead but our speed
added to that of the Brooklyn, soon sent
another, the ViZcaya, to the shore in
flames. Only the Crfstobal Colon was left
and for time it seemed as il she might
escape, but when We opened with our for
ward turret guns and the Brooklyn fol-
lowed, she began to edge in toward the
coast ana her capture or destruction was
assured As she struck the beach her flag
came down and the Brooklyn sienafed
cease firing. following it with. 'Congratu-
iations for the grand victory, thanks for
your splendid assistance
The Brooklyn sent a boat to her. and
when the admiral came M with the New
York and Texas and Vixen she was taken
possession of. prize crew was put on
board from this ship, unoer Lieut. Cogs-
well, the executive officer, but before IL
pm, the ship, which had been filling in
spite of all efforts to stop leaks. was
abandoned and just as the crew left she
went over on her side.
Il cannot speak in too high terms of the
bearing and conduct of all on board this
ship. When they found the Oregon had
pushed to the front and was hurrying to a
succession of conflicts with the enemy's
vessels, IL they could be overtaken and
would engage, their enthusiasm was in
tense.
las these vessels were so much more
heavily armored than the Brooklyn. they
might have concentrated upon and over
powered her. and consequently / am per-
Suaded that but for the way the officers and
the men OF the Oreeop steamed and steered
the ship and fought and supplied her bat
teries the Colon and perhaps the Nizcaya
would have escaped Therefore, i feel that
they rendered meritorious Service to the
country, and while 4 cannot mention the
name of each officer and man ind;yiduallv
am going to append list of the oficefs
with their stations that they occupied hon.
ing that ohey may be of service to them
should the claims of others for advance
ment above them ever be considered"