The state herald., 1898-05-06

be the Don Juan De Austria, was
blown up. There was considerable
loss of life. Captain Cadarzo, com
manding the Maria Christina. Is
among the killed. ] cannot now give
further details. The spirit of the
army, navy and volunteers is excel
lent"
An official telegram received at
late hour from the governor general
of the Philippines says:
admiral Montcjo has transferred
his fag ship to the cruiser Isle DE
Cuba from the cruiser Rcina Maria
Christina. The Reina Maria Christina
the cruiser Castillo. the other ships
having TO retire from the combat.
and some being sunk to avoid their
falling into the hands Of the enemy"
II seems that the American squad
ron was sighted of Subic last even
Ing. Apparently its commander ex-
pectcd TO find the Spanish there, but
Admiral Montcjo had retired to Ma
nila and the protection OF the forts on
the bar.
So Admiral Dewey kept on and
passed the forts Mt the entrance 10
the bay, just before dawn. There was
some firing from the batteries, but the
squadron did not reply. and there has
been no report whether the shots took
effect.
With the dawn Cavite opened fire
from her heaviest guns, and at once
the Olympia replied with her eight.
inch forward cannon. From this time
the fighting became general. Admiral
Montejo. In the Maria Christina. went
boldly to meet the foe. He was soon
engaged with the Olympia. n cruiser
u much superior force, and though he
inflicted much Injury. his ship was set
on fire and crippled by the Olympia's
heavy guns.
Admiral Montcjo was forced to leave
the ship. which was In n sinking condi.
lion, and was AT last forced to trans.
fer his ilng. The captain was shot
dead 10y the admirnls side as he was
leaving the doomed flagship. aud de
voted men were falling all around
him. The transfer Of the flag was n
deed OF desperate daring.
The admiral was forced 10 seek the
armed transport Isle de Cuba. winch
had suffered less damage than the 9th.
crs. Meantime some Of the American
ships withdrew TO the west Of the bay
and the olympia ana Baltimore fol
lowed.
The wounded were sent ashore In a
position ont Of danger Of the Spanish
ilre and the Americans returned To the
attack. With the ltcina Christina de
stroyed and many OF his other ships
shattered. gallant Admiral Montejo
WAS hard put to II for defense.
He forced the Americans 10 mancu.
yer. however. and forced them into
| positions Of great danger from the fire
Of the forts. In the second attack the
baltimore. Olympia. Concord and
Boston made straight for the Spanish
crippled ships, firing their heavy guns
with great rapidiiy.
The Spanish gunncrs s;ood nobly Ia
their guns and answered shot for shot
ns best they might. Hut weight was
on the American side and soon the
large wooden cruiser Cnstinc wns on
fire and nll the efforts Of the crew Ia
cxlngulsh the blaze were unaynlllnr.
The Americans continued To pour
their fire upon the devoted vessel and
To prevent the magazine from explod
| Ing she was scuitied and the crew
mndc for their shores In their boats oi
upon pieces Of the shattered spnrs.
The Don Juan de Austria was ever
less fortunate. She. too. was crippled
by the shot OF the Americans and In
her crippled condition could moi cscnp,
~" storm of shot and shells. Sudden
~ her magazine exploded.
Madrid. May 2.-sn. ma special t6
the Liberal from Manila mys AdmIra
MonicJo, the Spanish commander. ne
knowlrdgcs That the Spanish fleet In,
been completely demolished. lie add,
TINT the crew Of the spanish wnrshiI
Nindnnno hns been saved.