The herald., 1898-07-24
SUNDAY FIGHTS
BETTER THE DAY, BETTER THE
DEED, THE SAILORS MOTTO
All the Big Events at Santiago Occur
red on the Embellishments
Superstition-God With Us

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 17-(Corre-
spondence of the Associated Press) The
| Sabbatarian may not find it as good rea-
son for thankfulness and congratulation
as do the men of the American fleet of San
| tiago de Cuba, but the singular fact re-
mains that every event of supreme i'm
portance that has happened in our naval
operations during the war with Spain has
fallen on Sunday.
| On Sunday, Dewey won the great victory
at Manila.
On Sunday, May 2sth, schley found the
| feet Of Cervera in Santiago harbor and
| said: "They will never go home.''
| On Sunday, July 3rd, a portion of Ad-
miral SIMPSONS feet under Commodore
| Schley defeated the attempt of Admiral
| Cervera to escape and destroyed his squad
ron; and on Sunday, July 18th (today), the
Spanish flag on MORO Castle, Santiago,
was hauled down forever, beginning the
| finale Of Spanish control in the Western
hemisphere.
| This Sunday morning was beautiful,
among the most beautiful that have fallen
to the lot Of our ships before Santiago.
| The blockade was depleted, the two flag
ships, New York, with Admiral Sampson
flag flying, the Brooklyn, to the Spaniards
known as the "three horned DEVIL" flying
Commodore Schley's broad pennant, being
the only warships in sight
The little Vixen, Captain Sharp omni-
present and the Gloucester, Captain VAIN
right filled out quota of our ships. Sun
rise developed the fact that the flag of
Spain still floated over Moro Castle and
that the Spanish soldiers were still in the
~ 10
watchful officers on deck saw the flag
slowly come down. A salute of some kind
was fired inside, for guns were heard. As
soon as the flag had been lowered, the
New York moved toward the entrance Of
the harbor, followed by the Brooklyn
Soon both these great cruisers lay close
under the batteries that for weeks had
menaced them and swung lazily at anchor,
while steam launches were lowered to take
ashore officers who desired to see the har-
Dor and Notifications. At the same time
the church pennant went up on the New
York, and in the very mouth of the har-
Dor began service Of Thanksgiving to
the Creator.
On one launch went Commodore Schley
and party, including a correspondent of
the Associated Press. The trip was full
of interest. Entering the narrow neck of
the harbor the eye met with a great ex-
panse of water, beautiful sheet, har-
Dor Offering a splendid protection and all
the great requisites for a naval station.
All along both banks were the earthworks
and batteries and these were mounted with
rapid-fire guns and revolving cannon.
Looking up at Moro, one saw the crumb-
ling old ruin in the same condition in
which it has been for half century, ex-
cept that 1t has received on one corner a
large shell that has partially demolished
tower and flag support.
| Punta Gorda, just inside the Morro on a
| hill, had three guns, evidently ship guns
pointing directly down at the entrance TIC
the west were two emplacements on the
side hill, both with four-inch rapid-fire
guns and six-pounders. To the east of
Moro, the earthwork battery displayed
three modern guns with shields, and three
muzzle leaders.
Turning we'll into the mouth of the har-
Dor, the Reina Mercedes was seen lying
over on her side and about two-thirds SUBJ
merged
All her boats had been taken off and her
heavy port guns. On the starboard, how
ever. were two heavy guns. All her rapid
fire guns were in position SO that they could
be used for harbor defense. Around the
rail on the quarter deck hung the crews
hammocks as though for an airing, and
blankets and other paraphernalia showed
q hurried deserton. She does not lie in the
channel, but ashore in the eastern shall
lows. The cause of her hurried abandon
ment was soon discovered in the big shell
in har Ie tuo or thra baic VII ell ,1a
where the Massachusetts and Texas had
poured in hot fire. On her starboard side
is seen the effect of one of the shells that
fell on her during the second bombardment
on July G. The whole side of the deck is
torn away and the steel lies curled up in big
heaps. On her bow cleaned in white and
gold and yellow the crown of Spain with
the royal coat of arms beneath.
Five hundred yards up the harbors mar
row neck lies the wreck of the collier Mer-
rimac, not by any means an obstruction to
the channel, but much further up than was
necessary, her position, while demonstrate
ing Hobson's wonderful bravery, showing
also that he lost his bearings in the dark.
Only the tops of her single smokestack and
her two masts are visible. Al tug, the
Colon, and lighter We're lying just near
her and Commodore Schey stopped to ex-
anime the captain. Schley talks Spanish
well, and easily engaged the man in con-
versation. The latter said he had been en-
ployed in taking troops from the batteries
at Moro. He did not know how many sail
ors had returned or escaped from Admiral
Cervera's squadron but he believed there
were only few. He then directed Com
modore Schley to wooden house on the
hillside where lay, he said, the electric
plant for setting off the harbor mines. Our