The state herald., 1898-05-20
FIVE SAILORS DEAD.
WERE KILLED AT oARDENAs
Torpedo Boat winsiow Nearly Sunk by
Spanish Flre-Foolish Attack by Three
Small Vessels Against tho Forts and
and Gunboats.

and Gunboats.
Key West, Fla, May 12.-The first
engagement In the present war In
which the Americans have sustained
loss of life has been fought and five
gallant defenders of the flag fell under
the Spanish fire. The engagement was
fought in the Bay of Cardenas, Cuba,
near Matanzas, and was participated
in by the United States gunbOat VIII
mington, G. G. Todd, commander; the
torpedo boat winslow and the gunboat
Hudson for the Americans, and several
small Spanish gunbOats, covered by
the fire of the forts. The following is
the official list of the dead and wound
ed:
DEAD.
WORTH BAGLEY, ensign U. s. N.
JOHN VARVERES, oiler.
GEORGE B. MEEK. fireman.
j. DENFEE, fireman, first class.
ELIJAH B. TUNNELL, cabin cook.
WOUNDED.
j. b. Bernardo, lieutenant, command
ing Winslow.
William Patterson. seriously but not
fatally.
Daniel w. McKeow, quartermaster,
first class, slightly hurt.
News of the engagement was
brought by the Hudson this morning
when 1t arrived at Key West at 8 O..
m. carrying the bodies of the dead,
which Were lying on the deck, covered
by the stars and stripes. The wound
ed We're in the bin of the Hudson.
The engagement took place inside
the harbor of the Cardenas. The Will
mington, the torpedo boat Winslow
and the gunboat Hudson were the only
vessels engaged. They entered the
harbcr for the purpose of attacking
some Spanish gunboats which were
known to be there. These latter, how
ever. Were not discovered by the Amer
lean force until the Spaniards opened
fire. The land batteries of Cardenas
supported the fire of the Spanish gun
The battle, while 1t lasted, was ter
rifle. The Wilmington and the HUI
son We're ahead and opened fire on the
Spanish boats, which We're lying at
the docks. The firing began at a range
of $500 yards.
few minutes later the Winslow
came up and also opened fire. In an
instant the entire attention Of the
Spanish gunboats and land batteries
was directed upon her.
From all sides shot and shell poured
In on the little torpedo boat. The VIII
mingtOn and the Hudson still kept IN
their fire, but they could not turn aside
the terrible storm of fire and death
pouring In upon the torpedo boat.
The crew of the Winslow, however.
never faltered for second. At 2:35 n
solid shot crashed into the hull of the
Winslow and knocked out her boiler.
In an instant she began to roll and
drift helplcssly.
Then there was moment of awful
suspense. y fierce cheer of triumph
went UP from the Spaniards on the
gunboats and In the batteries, and
again storm of fire was opened upon
the helpless boat.
The gunboat Hudson. which was w.
Ing near by. started TO the assistance
Of the Winslow. She ran alongside
the torpedo boat and tried to throw n
line To the imperilcd crew. Up to this
time, with the exception of the one
shot. which disabled the boiler OF the
Winslow. tile firing Of the Spanish gun.
boats had been wild. but as the Wins.
low lay rolling In the water the range
grew closer and shells began to explode
nll about her.
II was difficult for the Hudson to get
near enough TO throw a line TO the
winslow's crew so terrible was the fire
all about her.
Finally. after about wenty minutes.
the Hudson approached near enough
TO throw n line.
Ensign Baglcy and six men were
standing In group ON the deck OF the
Winslow. "lIcayc her, hcaye her.
shouted Bnglcy. as he looked toward
the commander OF the Hudson and
called for u line. Don't miss H."
shouted an officer from the Hudson,
and with n smile Baglcy called back:
LET her COMETS getting too hot here
for comfort" This line was thrown
and about the same instant n shell
burst In the very midst OF the group Of
men on board the Winslow.
Baglcy was Instantly killed and a
few more dropped about him. Half a
dozen more fell groaning ON the
blood-staincd deck. One of the dead
men pitched hcadlong over the side OF
the boat. but his feet caught In the
iron rail and he was hauled back.
Bagley's body was stretched on the
deck with his face completely torn
AWAY and the upper part OF his body
shattered.
II was n terrible moment. The tor.
pctia boat. disabled and helpless
rolled and swaycd under the fury Of
the fire from the Spanish gunboais.
When the shell burst In the group
on board the Wlnslow, another wild
shout OF triumph went up from the
Spanish boats and batteries. and again
n heavy fire wns opened on the torpc'
do boat.
Finally the Hudson succeeded In get
ting line on board the winslow and
was towing her ont OF the deadly
range. when the line parted. ana again
both boats were nj the merry OF III,
Spanish fire.
Al 3.O5 u. m. the Hudson managed tt
get another line on the deck OF III,
Winslow. hut there We're only thre,
men loft M thnt time to make II fnst
The line wns finally secured and III,
Winslow wns towcd MP TO pcdrns H.
land. where she wns anchored with hci
dead aud wounded on her decks. Their,
some men from the Hudson went oi
board the Wlnslow and took the mos
seriously wounded men on. Three whc
were taken ON board the Gunboni Mn
chins died shortly nftcrwnrd.
Washington officials crlticlsc the nc
tion OF Lieutenant Todd In attacking
the forts with such nm inndeauni,
force. nnd my that II was unnecessary