The Advocate and news., 1898-05-04


Dispatches from the Associated Press
representative on board the New York
tell Of the bombardment of the Matanzas
batteries last Thursday 1t was the first
engagement in which the navy of this
country has participated for thirty years.
The New York was lying about twenty
miles east of Havana at half past ten
In the morning when Rear Admiral
Sampson decided to steam to Matan2as.
At the entrance to the harbor the mon
itor Puritan and the cruiser Cincinnati
met the flagship AT slow speed the
flagship proceeded to the harbor, the
Puritan following half mile astern and
the Cincinnati about two miles to the
westward.
Rear Admiral Sampson and Captain
Chadwick stood ON the high bridge, care
fully surveying the forts which had the
temerity to fire on the United States tor
Dedo boat Foote. When about three
miles from Punta Gorda, the extreme
point OF the eastern end Of the harbor, a
long yellow streak was seen on shore
1t looked like newly-erected earthwork
Closer inspection revealed a number of
men clustered around the shore. Still
the New York steamed slowly ahead
until 1t was ascertained without any
doubt that the Spanish troops were busy
erecting what seemed to be a sand bat
terry and had already gotten several guns
into position.
Rear Admiral Sampson decided that
this was detrimental to q pacific block
ade. When the New York was about
1000 yards from Punta Gorda her helm
was put to starboard, and commence
firing" the bugle blew. Naval Cadet
Boons, in charge Of 'waist," the 6-inch
gun amidship on the port side had the
honor of firing the first shot. The flag
ship shook from stem to stern as the
first projectile aimed by the United
States at the shore of Cuba few from the
mu2zle of the big gun. This was at
1856 p. m. 1t seemed minutes before
the yellow smoke cleared away, but in
reality 1t was less than five seconds.
Then little cloud of dust was seen to
rise at the right Of the earthworks With
a deafening report the S-inch gun in the
forward turret let fly dts iron missile.
1t landed high. The after turret came
next with the same-sized projectile. A
shout OF delight went up from the flag
ship as a dense cloud rose slowly from
the very center Of the earthworks, show
ing how true had been the aim.
Then from the entire port side fear
full fusilade was poured on shore, the
four turret guns firing almost simulta-
neously and the 4-inch guns added their
smaller hail.
When the smoke blew away Punta
GOrda was dotted with dust clouds that
looked like miniature geysers springing
suddenly from the earth. Each showed
where shot had struck. At this stage
the guns in the Quintas del Recro bat
terry were observed to be firing upon the
flagship. This fort Is on the eastward
arm Of the harbor, 1000 yards from
where the flagship was lying. It is pro-
vlded with four 8-inch guns. The flag
ships tlre was at once directed upon it.
Up to this period the New York had
been firing alone. Captain Harrington
on the Puritan, and Captain Chester, on
the Cincinnati, had drawn up and were
vigorously signaling for permission tc
fire,
When this was reported to Rear Ad-
mlral Sampson, he said "All right;
tell them to go ahead" So, while the
New York was commencing to fire ON
Quintas del Recro, the Puritan took
position to the eastward and opened on
the same point. The Cincinnati went to
the westward and poured a rapid broad
side into the earthworks on Punta Gorda.
Occasionally shots from Qulntas del
Recro could be seen coming in the direc-
tion Of the New York. All fell very short
and at no time threatened the ship.
Only about ten shots are believed to have
been fired from this battery during the
whole engagement 1t Is possible that
its guns may have been disabled, as two
S-inch shells were distinctly seen to land
sQuarely in the fort.
| For about five minutes Quintas del