New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-24

tain Hunker, Of the Annapolis. who was rank
ing officer surprised 10 learn that Nipe had
not been taken. Admiral Sampson had under
stood that this had been done. and had ordered
the monitors detailed for the Porto Rico CAM
paign - rendezvous there. When The situation
had been cleared up Captain Hunkcr ordered
the ships 70 90 in. The Wasp and the Loyden.
being the smallest of the four. !el the way.
followed by the Annapolis. while ;he Topeka
which carried heavier battery, brought up The
rear
The channel leading int tho harhor was mar
row. and on bluff % the right called Gallery
Point. were fort and signal station. A. he
American ships entered the Spaniard- w.re sis-
mailing in a lively fashion with blue ball and
nag. apparently informing the Spanish ships in
the harbor. which We're the .ore~ Juan. TWO
smaller gunboats. and the armorcl launch be-
fore mentioned.
As the Wasp and the Lcyden rounded the
point the fort fred dozen shots. none ~
which, however. fell near them. and the Topeka
returned the fire with her three-poundors.
Almos, Immediately the Spaniarls deserted
the fort and ran, while the Topeka continued
to send shells into them. body Of rHemcn on
the beach returned The fire with fcw wi.d
shots but they. too. were quickly disposed of by
the Topeka smaller guns The Topeka also
discharged two torpeGoes. At thu same time
another small fort to the left u the channel Gre J
on the American shI-. but IT way sii"nced as
easily the other.
In the mean time the Wasp and the Loylcn
had taken up position IN the northwestern
portion Of the harbor. and opened hre across
,he water at the Jorge Juan which lay 10 the
southeast in front Of the town Of Mayari. Her
position vas about mile ard a quarter from
sI.f, IN
an eminence. This fort opened fire on The Wasp
and the Leyden. and as the Annapolis and the
Topeka came up the Spanish gunboat Joined in
tbe Gght and general battle followed.
SINKING THE JORGE JUAN.
The Topeka anchored IN the middle - the
harbor. about four thousand Yards from the
Jorge Juan. and the other American vessels
drew 10 on either sid" and formed semi
circle They then closed in on he Spanish snip.
pourjng n destructive FIRE at hcr and tho fort
hcvond Tho Topeka sent i-inch shells crashing
into the Jorge Juan at such Il I"'e ln"' S.' sd 4"
within twenty minutes
When the firing became heavy the officers ana
c,ev ~ ,he guaniard put Of in small boats.
made the shore under heaVy hre' ana escaped
into the woods.
Two shots from the Topeka's bow gun dropped
souore Into the Mayari fort. when the Spanish
remnants disappeared and a white has was run
nm This ended a short but one Of the most
vicious battles Of the war.
All the American ships sent small boats over
IN the Spanish gunboat. that or the topeka ne
ing under command Of Lieutenant Niplack foi-
,ner,y naval aitacht at Berlin. vienna ana
Rome They found that the Jorge Juan ioie-
castle had been entirely nipred away by the
,ronola's finch shells. aud that her f"re ana
,oiyzenmasts and flagstaff were carried on. II
g. thought that The Spaniards scutied heT De-
Zorro abandoning the vessel. Divers were sent
do,r and a curious collection of rchc5 was
,ou,d one was the ships motto;
.ns brave. ana you viii go home 70 spain
,rhoy also brought up gunsights and swabs
.ignal flags. and many other mementos "i tne
..,ao,e,nent. which were distributed among the
oRcore and men OF the victorious shlps' four
80 s,a cats stll alive were clinginS 10 the
.'oa,,oce and one dog. which had been chained
=, Tho deck. was drowned. That part OF the rls-
.,., u.h,ch was above water swarmed win rats
,tA a,,en,ntcd to renew the battle WIN 'ne
..,or,oans but were driven into the sea
Th. barbor was found to be well nhheu' i"o
of the mines were exploded one ABOUT oAe A-'