Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-27

seven miles from the harbor entrance. She
had started for Sibouney where I intended
to land, accompanied by several of my
staff, and go to the front to consult with
General Shafter. A discussion of the situa-
! ton and more definite understanding
between us of the operations proposed had
been rendered necessary by the unexpected
! ly strong resistance of the Spanish garri-
son at Santiago. l had sent my chief of
staff on, shore the day before to arrange
an interview with General Shafter. who
had been suffering from heat prostration.
l made arrangements to go to his head
! quarters. and my flagship was in the posi-
ton mentioned above when the Spanish
squadron appeared in the channel. The re-
manning vessels were in near their usual
blockadng positions, distributed in a semi
circle about the haPbor entrance, counting
from the eastward TO. the westward, in the
following order The Indiana about a mile
and half from shore, the Oregon the New
nork,s place between these two, the Iowa.
Texas aud Brooklyn, the latter two miles
from the shore west of Santiago"
Praise for the Little Gloucester.
from the rear, the admiral proceeds to
give high praise to the Gloucester as fol-
lows:
The skllful handling and gallant fight
ing of the Gloucester excited the admra-
ton of every one who witnessed it and
merits the communication of the Navy De-
partment. She is fast and entirely unpro-
tected auxiliary vessei-the yacht C0rsair--
and has a good battery of light rapid-fire
guns. She was lying about two miles from
the harbor entrance, to the southwark and
eastward, and Immediately steamed in
opening fire upon the large ships Antici-
patng the appearance of the Pluton and
furor. the Gloucester was slowed thereby
gaining more rapidly high pressure of
steam, and when the destroyers came ont
she steamed for them at full speed and was
able to close at short range where her fire
was accurate, deadly and of great volume
D lH TINS night the Gloucester was under
the nre of the Socapa battery. Within TWEEN,
ty minutes from the time they emerged
from Santiago harbor the careers of the
turor and Pluton were ended and two
thirds of their people killed The Furor
was beached and sunk in the surf: the
Pluton sank in deep water a few minutes
later. The destroyers probably suffered
inuch INJURY from the fire of the secondary
batteries OF the battle ships Iowa. Indiana
and the Texas, yet l think a very consid-
cradle factor in their speedy destruction
was the hre at close range of the Glou-
cester's battery. After rescuing the sur
FiFoFs OF the destroyers the Gloucester did
eNcellent service in landing and securing
the crew of the Infanta Maria Teresa
Rescue Of Prisoners.
The rescue of prisoners was difficult
and dangerous task, The admiral saws:
This rescue of airisoners. including the
wounded. from the burning Spanish yes
sells was the occasion of some of the most
daring and gallant conduct of the oav
The ships were b1rhIrfg fore and aft. their
ploding. and it Vas not known At Whit
II oment the fire would reach tho main
asaZines In addition to this a heavy
SUIT sur was running yjustiinside of the Span
lsh ships But no risk deferred our Off
GERS and men until fliefr work of humanity
as complete 81 ~
Injuries to the Colon.
Regarding the injuries to the Cris.obal
Colon he says: att .
a. The Cristobal Colon, was not injured by
our firing, and probably is not much in
jured by Bleaching, though she ran ashore
at high speed. The beach was so steep
that she came off by the working of the
sea But her sea valves were opened and
broken reacherousIy, / am sure after her
surrender, and despite all efforts she
sank: When it became. evident that she
could not be Kept afoat she was pushed by
the New York bodily upon the beach. the
New 1ork's stem being placed against her
Tor this purpose. the ship being handled by
Capt. Chadwick with admirable Judgment,
ana sank In shoal water, and may be
saved. Had this not been done she would
nave gone down in deep water, and would
nave been TO certainty a total loss"
The Order of Battle.
Inc order of battle under which the
shlPs fought was issued June Q and IS
transmitted by the admiral with his re-
port. 1t follows:
The fleet off Santiago de Cuba viii be
organized during the operations against
that port and the Spanish squadron as fol-
lows: ~ Az
First squadron, under the personal COM
mand OF the commander-in-chief: New
1ork iowa, Oregon New Orleans Nav
flower, Porter.
Second squadron, Commodore Scblev.
Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Texas, Marble
me vessels joining subsequently, vii! be
assigned by the commander n-chief The |
vessels will blockade Santiago de Cuba
closely, Keeping about six miles from the
MORO in the daytime, and closing in at
alsnt' the lighter vessels well in shore. The
lrSt squadron will blockade on the east
side OF the port, and the second squadron |
on the west side. If the enemy tries to |
escape, the ships must close and engage as |
soon as possible and endeavor to sink his |
NeSseis or force them to run ashore in the |
channel. 1t Is not considered that the |
shofe batteries are of sufficient power to |
90 any material injury to battle ships. In |
sinooth weather the vessels will coal on |
slauoh. II withdrawn to coal elsewhere |
or 1or other duty. the blockading vessels |
On either side will cover the angle thus left |
vacant" "