The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-27

sure, after her surrender. and despite
all efforts she sank. When IL became
evident that she could not be kept afioat,
she was pushed by the New York bodily
upon the beach-the New York's stem
being placed against her for this purpose
-the ship being handled by Captain
Chadwick with admirable judgment. and
sank in shoal water and may be saved.
Had this not been done she would have
gone down in deep water and would have
been to certainty total loss.
81 regard this complete and important
victory over the Spanish forces as the
successful finish of several weeks OF
arduous and close blockade. so stringent
and effective during the night that the
enemy was deferred from making the
attempt to escape at night and deliber-
ately elected 10 make the attempt in
daylight. That this was the case was
Informed by the commanding officer of
the Cristobal Colon.
81 enclose, for the information OF the
department.. copies OF orders and mem
orandums issued from time 20 time res
lating to the manner Of maintaining the
blockade. When all the work was done
SO well II is difficult to discriminate in
praise. The object OF the blockade OF
Cervera's squadron was fully accom-
plished. and each Individual bore well
his part in it, the commander in COM
inand of the second division, the cap
tains of ships, their officers and men.
The fire OF the battieships was powerful
and destructive, and the resistance OF
the Spanish squadron was, in great
part. broken almost before they had
got beyond the range Of their own forts,
The fine speed OF the Oregon enabled
her TO take front position in the chase
until the Oregon had thrown l3-inch
shell beyond her. This performance
adds TO the already brilliant record OF
this fine battleship and speaks highly
of the skill and care with which her
admirable efficiency has been main
tained during q service unprecedented
In the history Of vessels of her class.
The Brooklyn's westerly blockade po-
sition gave her an advantage in the
chase which she maintained to the end,
and she employed her fine battery with
telling effect. The Texas and the New
York were gaining on the chase during
the last hour. and had any accident
befalien the Brooklyn or Oregon would
Colon. From the moment the Spanish
vessel exhausted her first burst OF speed
the result was never in doubt. She fell
I'm fact far below what might reasonably
have been expected OF her.
'Our loss was one man killed and one
wounded, both on the Brooklyn. 1t Is
difficult TO explain this immunity from
loss of fife or injury to ships In combat
with modern vessels of the best type,
but Spanish gunnery Is poor at the best.
and the superior weight and accuracy
of our fire drove the men from their
guns and silenced their FIRE. This is
borne out by the statements Of prisoners
and by observation"
sCHLEY AND EVANS.
Commodore Schley. in his report &c
Admiral Sampson, after declaring that
the signal was first given by the Iowa
and then by the Brooklyn, remarks:
81 have never before witnessed such
deadly and fatally accurate shooting
as was done by the ships OF your COM
mand as they closed In on the Spanish
squadron, and deem IL high privilege
to commend TO you for such action as
you may deem proper the galIantry and
dashing courage. the prompt decision
and skilful handling of their respective
vessels OF Captain Philip, Captain
Evans, Captain Clark and especially
Of my chief OF STAFF. Captain Cook, who
was directly under my personal obserpa-
tion, and whose GOODNESS. promptness
and courage were OF the highest order
The dense smoke Of the combat shut out
from my view the Indiana and the
Gloucester. but as. these vessels were
closer TO your flagship. no doubt their
part In the conflict was under your i'm
mediate observation.
81 have never in my life served with
n braver, better or worthier crew than
that OF the Brooklyn. During the com.
bat. lasting from 9:30 q. m. until l.16 %.
m, much OF the time under ire. they
never tagged for a moment and were
apparently undisturbed by the storm OF
projectiles passing ahead. astern and
over the ship. l congratulate you most
sincerely upon this great victory TO the
squadron under your command. and
am glad that had an opportunity to
contribute in the least 20 the victory
that seems big enough for all OF u.s."
After describing the part taken by the
Iowa In the engagement. Captain Evans
says: Il cannot express my admira-
ton for my magnificent crew. 80 lons
as the enemy showed his fiag they fought
like American seemen. but when the
nag came down they were as gentle and
tender as American women. In con-
ciusion air. allow me 20 congraeulate
you on the complete victory achieved by
your feet"
Captain Clark OF the Oregon writes:
II cannot speak in too high terms OF the
bearing and conduct OF all on board this
fhip. When they found that the Ore
gon had pushed 20 the front ana was
hurrying 90 a succession OF conflicts
With the eremys vessels. n they could
be overtaken and would engage. their
enthusiasm was intense. As these
vessels were 30 much more heavily ar
mored than the brooklyn they might
have concentrated upon and over