The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-05-11
HOW DEWEY DID IT.
First Authentic Report of the Battle
of Manila HarbOr.

stroyers, but no harm was done 10 our
ships Commodore Dewey had fought
with Farragut at New Orleans and Mo-
bile bay, where he had his first expe-
rience with torpedoes. Not knowing
how many more mines there might be
ahead, he still kept on without faltering
No other mines exploded, however, and
it is believed that the Spaniards had only
these two in Place.
Protected by their shore batteries and
made safe from close attack by shallow
water, the Spaniards were in strong
position.
HOT SHOT FROM THE DoNs-
They put up a gallant fight. The
Spanish ships were sailing back and
forth behind the Castillo, and their fire
was too hot. One shot struck the Baltimore
and went clean through her, fortunately
hitting no one. Another ripped up her
main deck. disabled six-inch gun aud
ex ploded box of three-pounder ammu-
milton, wounding eight men. The olym-
pia was struck abreast the gun in the
wardroom by shell, which burst out
{ Hllts AOluS 44AkAC AAiAHECs AD At-t
halyards were cut from Lieutenant
Brumbay's hand on the after-bridge. 4
shell entered the Boston's port quarter
and burst in Ensign Dodridge's state
room, starting hot fire, and fire was also
caused by a shell which burst in the
port hammock netting. Both these fires
were quickly put out.
al ha
toms foremast, just in front Of Captain
/ Wildes on the bridge. After having
made four runs along the Spanish line,
finding the chart incorrect, Lieutenant
Calkins, the Olympis's navigator, told
the commodore he believed he could take
the ship nearer the enemy, with lead
going TO watch the depth OF water. The
flagship started oyer the course for the
/ fifth time running within two thousand
yards of the Spanish vessels. AT this
range even six Founders were effective.
and the storm of shells poured upon the
unfortunate Spanish began TO show mark :
Ell results. Three of the enemy's vessels
were seen burning. and their FIRE slack
/ ened. On finishing this run Commodore
Dewey decided to give the men break
fast, as they had been at the guns two
hours with only one cup Of coffee TO sus-
tain them. Action ceased temporarily
for nearly thirty-five minutes at seven
O'Clock, the other ships passing the flag
ship and cheering Justify. Our ships re-
manned beyond range Of the enemy's
| guns until ten minutes of II O'Clock,
when the signal for close action again
went up. The Baltimore had the place
of honor in the lead, with the flagship
following and the other ships as before.
The Baltimore began firing at the Span
ism ships and batteries at sixteen min
ufes past eleven o'clock, making series
of hits as if at target practice. The
Spaniards replied very slowly and the
commodore signalled the Raleigh. the
Boston, the Concord and the Petrol 20 &c
into the harbor and destroy all the enc
nly's ships. By her light draft the little
Petrol was enabled TO move within one
thousand yards. Here firing swiftly. but
accurately, she commanded everything
still dying the Spanish flag.
Only few minutes later the shore
battery in Cavite point sent over the flag
ship shot that nearly hit the battery in
Manila, bat soon the guns got hettei
range and the shells began 10 strike neal
US or bust aboard from both the batter
les and the Spanish vessels. The heat
was intense and
REMEMBER THE MAINE.
men stripped off clothing except theii
trousers. As the Olympia came nearer
all was as silent on board as if the ship
had been empty except for the whir o.
blowers and the throb Of engines Sud
denly shell burst directly over US.