Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1898-06-17
ON THE o; YMpIA.
An Albuquerque Young Man In the Naval
Fight al Manila.
HIs GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF TIE BATTLE.

Immediately after the great naval en-.
gagement in Manila bay. where Dewey
gained a signal victory over the Span.
iards, THE CITIZEN announced that Al.
buquerque was represented by a young
man on the flagship Olympia. His name
Is Thomas Hedden, and he IL the brave
and worthy son Of Mrs. A. II. Meyers, re-.
siding on South First street. The letter
IL as follows. telling In graphic words
how the Asiatic squadron OF the United
States navy, under Dewey, defeated and
destroyed the Asiatic squadron Of Spain,
under MOntejO:
United States Flagship Olympia, Ca
ylte, Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, May
~, lSgS-Dear Mother; | suppose you
know by this time that we are here on
account OF war being declared between
Spain and the United States. This place
belonged 10 Spain. We were laying In
at Hong Kong when war was declared,
and we at once made all preparations for
battle. Having everything all ready on
the 18th OF April, which was four days
after war was declared, we left Hong
Kong and steamed 10 Mirs' bay, China, a
short distance from Hong Kong, and
there awaited u final orders, which ar.
rived on the 9th OF April. The same
day, al 2 o'clock p. m, we raised our an
chOrs and started for this place with or
ders 10 destroy the Spanish leet.
"0ur feet consisted OF the following
ships: Olympia, Boston, Baltimore,
Raleigh, Concord, Petrol, Mccullough
and two transports 20 carry coal and
stores for us. We arrived at the entrance
OF Manila bay on the 30th OF April, and
a. they had a very strong fort at the en-
trance we decided 20 try and run by
them at midnight. We laid outside un.
I'll IL o'clock that night, and then started.
The Olympia took the lead and all the
rest followed right behind her; In Indian
fashion we slipped past them without
being seen until we we're three miles
inside OF the bay, then they saw US and
fired on us, but did no harm for we were
ont OF range. II was then eighteen miles
TO the city where the Spanish feet lay, 10
we steamed slowly as to get there At
daylight and give them a grand reception
for breakfast.
Their fleet consisted Of twelve ships
aud two torpedo boats, besides four
strong forts which were right alongside
the ships. They knew that we only had
six ships and they we're sure Of sinking
US II we tried to fight them. 30 on we
moved, and Just at daylight We saw them
about five miles of. They were ready
for battle, with all their lags flying and
their crews at their guns. Az we steamed
a little closer, the forts opened FIRE at the
Olympia and the shells fell short, strik-
ing the water In front OF us and bursting
into thousands OF pieces. Az we came
within range. all their ships aud forts
fired at US, and the shells flew all around,
making the air sing IA they passed over
aud around us. We had not tired yet-we
Just steamed right on until within good
= range and then the Olympia opened
up on them with n OF her big
> 3 inch rifles. That was the signal for
our fleet TO engage and maybe you think
we didn't. We hoisted '0ld Glory at
every masthead and every man stripped
\ himself TO the waist, tied a black hand.
/ kerchief around his head and with three
cheers we went at those Spaniards with
such terrible force that they didn't know
how 1t all happened.
Zach OF our ships steamed In 9
straight line-one behind the other, and
Rs we passed along let 20 all ouI
"a guns and such quick firing and gO0C
~ shooting was never done before. Oul
ships looked a. though one continue
sheet OF fire was belchlng out OF th,
, sides. As the battle continued, the Span
ish tried TO blow up the Olympus
y with one Of their torpedo boats
We were on 10 their movements
a aud We 1lled that boat 80 full OF holes
A that she went down In quick time. Their
they tried IL with another torpedo boa
- and ma aanN haE 20 the aar n uuaNaW,
graveyard Just as quick. After this, the
= tried the Olympia with one Of their BIZ
= ships and we dropped shells on her 81
fast that she turned and tried 10 run 70
the beach but failed TO get there, ant
down she sunk with nearly all on board
The Olympia crew sent up three TOusinI
cheers as she went d0wn-it was a fin
N eight
/, Their largest ship then tried to &c
; away from u feet but we were not al
's lowing the ships OF the enemy TO escape
10 we sent some eight inch shells into he
stern and she caught fire, followed by
"A terrific explosion and then sunk wit
most OF her crew.
\ 1.-THE battle lasted three hours and fort
Or minutes, aud at the end OF that tim
n eleven Spanish ships were at the bolton
AZ OF Manila bay, also two torpedo boat
aud all the forts were silenced and th
10 Yankees ruled the waves OF the bay
10 with r0usinR cheers coming frOI
m each OF our ships we retired TO the mic
40 die OF the bay and had breakfast. FC
- my part, | must say | never enjoyed AM
Oh thing better than | did the sound OF II
n shells flying all around me. Over 500
ne shots were fired In the engagement
and comes the best news
all. After the desperate battle, aghtin
for three hours and forty minutes, not
man was killed on the American sid
re- and only eight or ten wounded. while Il
en- Spaniards had undoubtedly 1900 kilt
nv and wounded.
" I'VE are holding this place now an
will hold 1t until the war Is over, which
hope will be soon, for | am anxious 10 7
turn home nee more. | have been
the old ocean just fifty months this Ma
and my time would have expired In tv
weeks II war had not been declared.
will have 20 stay until the war Is over.
AAF H. HnHaauu