The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-27
WORK OF THE OREGON.
Captain Clarke's Brief Report On the
Battle.

Following is the report of Captain
C. e. Clarke of the Oregon:
United States Steamship Oregon, First
Rate. of Santiago de Cuba, July 4,
1898.
Sir-1. I have the honor to report
that at $3.50 a. m. yesterday the Span
ish fleet was discovered standing out
of the harbor at Santiago de Cuba.
They turned to the westward and
opened fire, to which our .siips replied
vigorously. For a shore time there was
an almost continuous flight of projec-
tiles over this ship, but when our line
was fairly engaged and the Iowa had
made a swift advance, as if to ram or
close, the enemy's fire became defec-
tive in train as we'll as range. The ship
was only struck three times, and at
least two of them We're by fragments
of shells. We had no casualties.
2. AS soon as it was evident that the
enemy's ships were trying to break
through and escape to the westward we
went ahead at full speed with the de-
termination of carrying out to the ut
most your order: IF the enemy tries
to escape the ships must close and en-
gage as soon as possible. and endeavor
to sink his vessels or force them to run
ashore" We soon passed all of our
ships except the Brooklyn, bearing the
broad pennant of Commodore Schley.
At first we only used our main battery,
but when il was discovered that the
enemy's torpedo boats were following
their ships, we used our rapid-fire guns
as well as the siX-pounders upon them
with telling effect. AS we ranged up
near the sternmost of their ships, she
headed for the beach, evidently on
fire. We raked her as we passed, push
ifaer flar rreTir, I,.ar
starboard guns as they were brought
to bear, and before we had her fairly
abeam, she, too, was making for the
beach. The two remaining vessels were
now some distance ahead but our speed
had increased to 16 knots, and our fire,
added to that of the Brooklyn, soon
sent another. the Vizcaya, to the shore
in flames. Only the Cristobal Colon was
left, and for time it seemed as if
she might escape, but when we opened
fire with our forward turret guns and
the Brooklyn followed. she began to
edge in toward the coast and her cap
ture or destruction was assured. AS
she struck the beach her flag came
down, and the Brooklyn signaled cease
firing" following with congratulations
for the grand victory, thanks for your
splendid assistance
g. The Brooklyn sent a boat to her,
and when the admiral came UP with the
New York and Texas and Vixen, she
was taken possession of. a prize crew
was put on board from this ship under
Lieutenant Commander CogsWell the
executive officer, but before II o. m.
the ship, which had been filing in spite
of all efforts to stop leaks. was aban-
doned, and just as the crew left she
went fover on her side.
4. / cannot speak in too high terms
of the bearing and conduct of all on
board this ship. When they found the
Oregon had pushed to the front and
was hurrying to a succession of con-
'fiicts with the enemy's vessel if they
could be Overtaken and would engage,
their enthusiasm was intense.
s. AS these VeSs els ere SO much NOR
heavily armored than the Brooklyn,
they might have concentrated upon and
overpowered her. and consequently l
am persuaded that, but for the way the
officers and men of the Oregon steamed
and steered the ship and fought and
supplied her batteries, the Colon, and
perhaps the ViZcaya, would have es-
capped. Therefore l feel that they rem
dered meritoriOus service TO the coun-
try. and while l cannot mention the
name OF each officer and man individ-
ually, ! am going to append a list of the
officers, with the stations that they oc-
cupied, hoping that it may be of SER
vice to them should claims of others
for advancement above them ever be
considered.
(Here Captain Clarke gives a list of
the officers and their positions in the
fight)