The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-07-15

the spanish cruisers and the four Am
erican vessels. At 1890 o'clock the
Infanta Teresa and Vizcaya were al
most on the beach and were evidently
in distress. As the Texas was firing
at them a white flag was run on the
one nearest her. Cease firing" called
Captain Philip and moment later
both the Spaniards were beached.
Clouds of black smoke rose from each
and bright flashes of flame could be
seen shining through the smoke. Boats
were visible putting out from the cruis-
ers to the shore. The Iowa waited to
out Of the fight. The Iowa herself had
suffered some very hard knocks.
The Brooklyn, Oregon and Texas
pushed ahead after the Colon and Al
mirante Oquendo, which were now
running a great race along the coast.
At 1880 o'clock Cervera's flagship, the
Almirante Oquendo, suddenly headed
in shore She had the Brooklyn and
Oregon abeam and the Texas astern.
The Brooklyn and Oregon pushed on
after the Cristobal Colon, which was
making fine time and which looked as
II she might escape, leaving the Texas
I'd finish the Almirante Oquendo.
This work did not take long. The
Spanish ship was already burning. At
11:O5 o'clock down came the yellow
and red flag at her stern. Just as the
Texas got abeam OF her she was shaken
by mighty explosion. The crew Of
the Texas started to cheer Don't
cheer because the poor devils are dy-
ing" called Captain Philip; and the
Texas left the Almirante Oquendo to
her fate to join in the chase OF the
Cristobal Colon. That ship In desper-
alton was plowing the waters at a
rate that cause the fast Brooklyn
trouble. The Oregon made great
speed for battleship and the Texas
made the effort Of her life.
The Brooklyn headed the pursuers.
She stood well out from shore in order
to try to cut off the Cristobal Colon
at point jutting out into the sea far
ahead. The Oregon kept a middle
course about mile from the cruiser.
The desperate Don ran close along
shore and now and then threw n she'll
The Texas kept well up In the chase
under forced draught for over two
hours. The fleet Spaniard led the Am
orleans merry chase, but had no
chance. The Brooklyn gradually
forged ahead. so the escape of the Girls
| tobal Colon was cut off at the point
above mentioned. The Oregon was
abeam OF the Texas then and the
gallant Don gave it up.
| At 1915 he headed for the shore and
five minutes later down came the
Spanish flag. The Texas, Oregon and
Brooklyn closed in on her and stopped
their engines a few hundred yards
away. Commodore Schley went aboard
the Crstobal Colon and received the
surrender.
Meanwhile the New York, with Ad-
miral Sampson on board, and the Vix-
en- were coming up or the run. Schley
signaled to Sampson: I'VE have won
great victory. Details will be com
municated."
1t was hoped that the Cristobal Col
on might be saved as Fourth of July
gift to our Navy. She was beached, her
bow on sandy shore and her stern
was afoat. She was not materially
| damaged by the shots. One 13-inch
shell and one S-inch had hit her, but
1t was found that the Spaniards had
taken every measure to destroy her
after they themselves were safe. They
had opened every sea valve In the
ship and had thrown the caps over
board. They opened all the ports and
smashed the dead lights. They had
even thrown the breach plugs of their
guns overheard.
The Colon floated at 7 o'clock in the
evening and drifted 500 yards down
the beach to westward, swinging bow
out. At II o'clock she lurched and
turned over ON her starboard side,
with her port guns pointing straight
up to the sky. She lies in only four
fathoms Of water, but it is unlikely
that she can be saved.
Cervera told n correspondent after
the battle: 81 was ordered out by
Captain-General Blanco on cables from
Madrid. I knew 1t meant destruction,
but obeyed. have known that l was
in a hopeless situation since my ar
rival, and I am relieved that the situ-
alton is ended. have been most cour-
teously treated"
During the engagement the cruiser
Brooklyn was hit thirty-seven times,
but sustained no serious damages. The
Oregon was hit once; the Texas twice
and Iowa four times. As the New
York came up she got in n few shots