The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-08

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oregon be brought around to this coast,
anu y was due to his efforts that she was
STARTED on her long cruise around the
continent
1 On the 18th of last March, the COM
mander of the Oregon got cablegram
from Washington in CIPHER telling him
10 prepare for long cruise with all dis
patch. The commander of the Oregon at
THIS time was sick man and did not
reel able SO make q long cruise, and Capt.
Ciark was given the command in his
steau. Captain Clark is a cheerful sort of
man and one of great ability and good
/ Judgment. He quickly coaled his Ship,
taxing over 1900 tons of coal on board
and provisions. The government gave
the Oregon everything she asked for.
When 100000 was ask ed for for this
| cruise, a telegram put this sum in the
hands OF the paymaster in gold in a very
lew hours. When all was ready the Ore
gon put to sen and her first stop was at
Caiiao, where she arrived on April 4th,
ana IN three days took GA board l130 tons
OF coal and provisions. Then she started
for the Straits Of Magellan and aided in
every way by the CHILEAN government
coaied ship again at their station at
sandy Point. Here Captain Clark was
informed OF the Spanish destroyer
Temerario, which had been sent out to
| Intercept the Oregon. At Rio the Oregon
first heard that war had been declared,
but up to this time the officers Of the
Oregon knew nothing of what had been
transpiring at home or OF how anxious
| the country was for the safety of this
ship. The officers of the Oregon thought
that the war would be all over before they
could reach the United States, and were
daily ianenting their fate in being cooped
up on the Oregon which didn't seem to
be in the game.
When, however, the cablegraIns were
received at Rio by the officers of this ship
| they were almost spoiled by the attention
and praise they had received at home. AS
| for the Iemerario the Oregon did not
give her a thought. At Rio, Captain
Clark was told OF the Spanish fleet sail
ing from Cape Verde with four armored
cruisers and four torpedo destroyers
Captain Clark was anxious TO meet bat
| tleship or cruiser, but he was afraid of
| the torpedo boats, and on the trip up the
coast the greatest villigence was main
tanned by che Oregon's crew. At Bahia
the English treated the Oregon very Moe
| ly and offered to extend the twenty four
hours to some extent IL she desired to
stay there. When she left Bahia the Off
GERS of the Oregon knew that the Spanish
! feet of seven ships was at Martinique
and expected to run into them en- her
way but didn't. On reaching the coast
of Florida and Notifying the department
of her arrival there, Captain Clark got q
telegram for the Oregon to proceed to
| Hampton Roads for repairs. Captain
CLARK replied that his ship was ready for
active service and was in first class con-
dition, so he was sent to Key West. Here
she landed her boats and prepared for
war. In two days the New York came
Ealong and together these battleshipz
started for Cuba at twelve knot cir
The New York slgnalIed to the Oregon
that if the pace was too fast she would
TINT he could make fourteen knots if
necessary and so they sped on to join
Sampson.
"It was extremely gratifying to the men
on the Oregon when she joined the rest of
the fleet to hear the amateur band on the
Massachusetts, strike up the popular air,
IA new bully has come to town. The
way they were received by these vessels
made the Oregon people determined to
keep up their reputation If they had a
chance. In few days Sampson took the
Oregon aud went to Santiago where the
dreary blockade duty WAS commenced.
This continued without interru ption for
many weary weeks, until Shafter arri we'd
with his transports. 1t was varied only
by a few bonn bardments which were
| rather stupid affairs.
"On July third, the first Sunday in the
month, | intended to hold the regular
monthly muster and Sunday morning
quarters. We all put on our best white
clothes for the occasion and cleaned up
the ship as best we could. The first call
for quarters had sounded when suddenly
the alarm gongs began their horrible
racket. There were nine gongs on the
Oregon which made an unearthly din.
Captain Clark rushed on deck and as he
passed me said: Some one has pushed
the button to those alarm gongs by mis-
take
s'Just then one of the men on the super
structure called out: The enemy's ships
are coming ouu.' / looked toward the
harbor and saw two masts coming out Of
the harbor. Our tires were never Banked
We kept them low, but ready for quick
work. In second the forced draft was at
work and we made signal 25i, which
meant, the enemy S ships are esoaI ing.
In little time we were going fourteen
knots. The Spaniards turned to the west.
We were making great Roadway now and
not wishing to go under the bows of the
Iowa, put our helm to starboerd and ran
under the Iowa's stern at full speed.
| Captain Evans afterwards said it seemed