Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-07-09
aaiseellansults geadiag.
CERVERA'S DASH FOR LIBERTY.

CERYERA'S DASH FOR LIBERTY.
Some More Particulars About the Destruc-
ton of the Spanish Fleet.
The main facts connected with the
destruction of the Spanish feet have
already been published but addition
al details are still coming in.
Just why the Spanish admiral de-
cided upon his bold dash, does not
clearly appear; but there are several
probable reasons.
1t has been several times stated that
General Blanco was very much dis
pleased with Cervera as commander
of the fleet. Among other things, it
was stated that Blanco had ordered
Cervera to 60 out of the harbor and
fight, and upon Cervera's failure to do
so, Blanco cabled the queen asking
that Cervera be superseded in COM
mand. These stories came by way of
Madrid and may or may not be true.
On Saturday afternoon, Admiral
Cervera called a consultation of his
officers, and by a small majority, it
was decided to make an attempt to
leave the harbor. The minority argu-
ed that destruction was certain, and
besides the feet was in bad condi-
ton for the attempt. Among other
things, fremen had mutinied and
the best gunners were in an exhausted
condition as the result of their service
of the guns of the land batteries on
Friday and Saturday. The admiral
himself was in favor of making the
attempt, and as the majority was with
him, all agreed.
Early Sunday morning careful OBJ
servations were taken of the American
fleet from the overlooking heights.
To the east, at Siboney there were a
number of transports that had just ar
rived with reinforcements, and the
Spaniards had information that there
were a number of warships with
them. This, however, was, incorrect.
Out to the west the blockading vessels
were scattered along and the prospect
did not look quite so discouraging.
Had the admiral chosen the east, he
would have probably met with more
success but luck was against him and
he chose the west, intending, if posi-
BILE to make Cienfuegos, or Havana.
Admiral Sampson had gone that
morning in the flagship New York to
Siboney, for conference with General
Shafter. The Brooklyn, Texas, Iowa,
Oregon, Indiana, along with the other
smaller ships, were out on the block
aiding line. They were not expecting
anything so startling as dash from
the feet, and were really not in the
very best position to receive such a
dash.
The vessels came out of the harbor,
preceded by the two torpedo boat de-
stroyers. The Cristobal Colon came
next, and following her came the Viz
caya, Oquendo and Infanta Maria
Teresa in the order named. The ships
had been cleared for action, the men
were at the guns and officers were
nerved up to the serious business that
they knew was before them.
The commodore's flagship, Brooklyn,
was the only vessel of the blockading
fleet that was in position to cut off the
Spanards, and the commodore at once
steamed forward to engage the whole
squadron. He opened fire on them
and they returned the fire direct at
the Brooklyn, with every gun that
could be brought to bear.
The two torpedo boats also rushed
viciously toward the Brooklyn. She
let dive at them also but the convert
ed yacht Gloucester, formerly the
"Corsair," bravely rushed in and en-
gagged them both. The Gloucester
made a remarkable fight, especially
considering her light guns and the tor
pedo boats soon had enough of her.
They tried to engage the Brooklyn
again but within very few minutes
both were in sinking condition.
There were 60 men on the Pluton, and
only 20 escaped to the shore. Lieu
tenant Wood rescued six drowning
men from the Furor and the Glouces-
ter got the flags of both boats.
The torpedo boats were sunk within
four miles of the harbor but before
they were sunk, the Oregon, Iowa,
Indiana, Texas and Vixen had closed
around the Spaniards to the assistance
of the Brooklyn and Gloucester.
The Spaniards were, of course, next