Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-04
.0NE--S|DED SHOOTING.
Navy Has an Easy Time SiIenc.
ing the Batteries Of
the Dons.
LATTER HARDLY MAKE ANY REPLY

Wasting s::ot and Hitting Only the Wide,
Wide Sea-Account of the Latest Bonn
bardment at Santiago Moro Castle Re-
duced to a Brand New Run-work
Merely Done for Its Moral Effect.
Off Santiago de Cuba, July 2, via
Kingston, Jamaica, July 4.-[Copyright,
1888, by The Associated Press. 1.-The
men on the flagship New York were a
pretty tired lot after nine hours fight
ing yesterday when they turned out at
O'Clock this morning. At o'clock the
fleet went to general quarters. The
knowledge that MORO castle was not
to be spared created much interest and
the greatest satisfaction among the
gunners. Rear Admiral Sampson said
to the correspondent of The Associated
Press shortly before the firing COM
menced: General Shafter sent me
word last night that the batteries at
the south end Of the harbor had fired
on his troops. / am almost certain that
General Shafter is mistaken, as all our
information shows that no guns bear
to lombard again to-day. 1t will be
useful, and may have a moral effect
that will assist the army"
Soon Siienced the Spanish Guns.
With the flagship New York leading
the eastern end of the crescent of ships,
the fleet steamed inshore 1000 yards
from MORO castle, until in a position
m 1a1n hot bot
At 5:45ith firing commenced. The sea
was smooth ana light breeze was
Blowing. For-the first ten minutes the
craftsmanship Of the American gun
ners was splendid. One Of the eastern
batteries. was so badly punished that
not a shot was fired from it during the
engagement. a few shells from the
western batteries dropped around the
ships, but hit nothing. The terrific
fusillade of heavy shells from all the
battlesIips Of the United States navy
sileneed the fire from the shore in Short
order.
One Shot DismOunts q Gun.
One particularly good shot from the
flagship New York sent gun on one OF
the eastern batteries flying high into
Tic anu Geu OIL
earth and debris rose all around Moro
At $3.50 the firing had become slower
and more deliberate. The Indiana, Ore
gon and Massachusetts We're signaled
to go right in front of the harbor to
shell the Punta Gorda batteries inside
on the eastern arm. They steamed to
within 1,o0O' yards of the shore. The
Oregon took shot at MORO castle, and
down came the Spanish flag At sight
of this splendid piece of craftsmanship
the crews of the -different ships sheered
enthusiastieaNyifor several minutes.
Made No Attempt at Reply.
The three battleships then kept up an
insessant fire on the Punta Gorda bat
teries, doing great havoc to the forth
fications and works in course of con-
struction. Not a shot came from the
| enemy. The other ships contented
themselves by taking occasional shots
at Moro castle. Its ancient battle
ments were knocked to pieces, and great
, holes doomed up its parapets. At
{, 1925 Admiral Sampson hoisted the sig
! nal cease firing" but it was half an
hour before the Oregon had fired her
| last shot. AS the ships returned to
| their blockading stations two futile
shots were fired at them from five-inch
rapid-fre guns on one of the western
batteries.