The state herald., 1898-07-08

Santiago Sunday, by the Herald's dis
patch boat Golden Rod to Port An
tonic, Jamaica, thence to Kingston, ia
maica. Monday.-Scattered along the
shore for distance of two miles to the
west of Moro castle now lie the ar.
mored cruisers and torpedo boat de
stroycrs that composed Admiral Ger
vera's fleet.
In Il running fight of two hours these
vessels, the cream of the Spanish navy,
We're almost annihilnted this morning
by the powerful ships of Admiral
Sampson's fleet, under the immediate
command of Commodore Schley.
Sunday quiet rested over the en-
trance to Santiago harbor, and no
signs of life. We're visible about old
MORO. Beyond and toward the city
of Santiago all was still. After two
days of fighting the armies of both
nations were resting in their trenches.
or this way for distance of half
a dozen miles from shore the vessels
of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet lay lazily
at anchor.
Admiral Sampson. desiring TO asccr-
tain the exact condition of the Span
ish coast defenses about Aguadores,
ordered the flagship to 20 that way.
Weighing anchor. the New York leis-
urely steamed Off to the eastward.
Idle thoughts occupied the minds Of
the men in the fleet. They We're spec
ulating, as they had been for weeks.
when would come their opportunity TO
get at" the Spanish fleet in the inner
harbor.
Suddenly as a flash, Mt half past o
o'clock, n vessel appeared near the en-
trance TO the harbor. She was throw
ing out great black clouds of smoke
and was pointing straight toward the
American fleet.
The ease of the American officers
and sailors was rudely disturbed.
They had grabbed their glasses, scan
ned the harbor entrance, and We're
amazed TO discover that an armored
cruiser was coming out.
In the absence Of Admiral Sampson,
Commodore Schley. from the Brook
lyn, ordered the American warships To
rush in shore. In n few moments II
was seen that the vessel emitting such
clouds Of smoke was the Cristobal Co
Ion, Admiral Cervera's flagship. She
had passed the wreck Of the Merrimac
anu was ibi Nllt Sti At iuii
speed.
Before Commodore Schley and his
men could recover from their surprise
other clouds Of smoke came into view
beyond the Cristobal Colon. With n
rush fully equal TO that of the Span
ish flagship, the Almirante oquendo
came toward the open sea.
Behind her came the Vizcaya, also at
full speed. while the rear was brought
up by the lnfanta Maria Teresa and
the two torpedo boat destroyers, the
Furor and the Pluton. This stirring
scene, so dramatic and so unexpected.
quickly put the captain of every Amer
lean vessel on his mct,lc.
"Cervera's trying To escape" was the
cry that resounded through the fleet.
Every American vessel quickly
weighed anchor. The engines We're
started. and one by one the great
American warships made ready for
battle. Every man scampcred to his
gun and the captains, knowing that
Admiral Sampson had gone along the
coast. eagerly watched the Brooklyn,
Commodore Schlcy's flagship.
In few moments the Resolute was
speeding TO the eastward after the
New York, but the advance of the
Spanish fleet was so rapid that our
men could not wait for Admiral Samp-
son TO get back. Just as the Crlsiohal
Colon was p0king her nose out into the
open sea, Commodore Schlcy sent the
Brooklyn madly rushing 10 the west.
ward To head on Cervera's flagship. He
ordered the Massachusetts and Oregon
TO follow after. at the same time order.
Ing the lndlann. Iowa and Texas TO In.
tercept the other ships OF the escaping
fleet. Then began one OF the greatest
sea fights In history.
II Is not known whether Admiral
Cervera had blown up the Merrimac or
passed II In single column. His ship,
the Crlst0hll Colon. clided out Of the
hnrbor and shot TO the westward. her
two tunnels and hight black bnlwnrks
showing plain against the green hills.
her pennant and the Spanish red and
yellow ensign lashing out. In few
seconds the American fleet was In mo.
uon. the Indiana. which was closent,
heading straight In shore TO get close
range.
The Spanlnrd opened fire with nm II.
Inch lionotorlnnn mighty fountains Of
water rose about the hattlcshlp's
weather decks. The shell fell near her
bow. The Indiana replied with her ~.
Inch guns. aud monument later let 70
everything that could he brought 10
bcnr. One OF the first shells fell ON tho
Spanish cruisers deck.
Corccrn was going past and the In.
diana rounded 10 give him n hrondsltlc.
and then, ms the Iowa and the Texas
opened IN him, the ,loomcd admiral
turned 10 the hnrhor mouth. where ,hc
Almirnntc oqucndo was Just coming
Into view.
At first one could scarcely believe
Ills eyes, hut when the Ol,iendo mn.
penrcd and steamed swiftly westward
Into the smoke and lightning where
Ccrrcrn's flag silil dew. Il flashed u,,on
us that there was 10 he history mnk.
Ing Indeed. II was sublime spectacle
Of desperate admiral who Ind de.
clded TO give battle ngnlnst oyerwhrlm.
ing odds In tho open water rather tlInn
remain and blow M his own shlps In
the hnrbor Of the bclcngucrcd city.
Cervorn's ling was hidden for n time
nS u" iicd westward. his port brond.
side emitting flashes and tongues OF
ilnmcs which marked his progress.
For tho next i've minutes he ran n
gauntlet such M no ship ever run In
history, Dnd when his consorts were
burning nhd he surrendered his shlp
nc sun hnd gun or two capable of
action.
The Indiana fcil on the oaucndo.
paying no heed Ia the Morro battery,
whose gunncrs tried hard 10 protect
the cruiser nH she moved 10 the west.
ward. The Town let ccryorn 10 ON
into the hnnds Of the Oregon, Mnssn.
cluscits md brooklyn. nnd then turn.
pI with thp l'.Nuv d. ,.a,,.,t a..