Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-27
scHLEY GETS FULL CREDIT.
The Oregon Comes in for Full Share of
Glory.

Glory.
/ WAsmNGToN, July 27 The navy
department today made public the
reports Of Admiral Sampson, Con:mo-
dore .Schley, Captain Clark, of the
Oregon, and Captain Evans, Of the
Iowa, on the battle Of July 3. which
/ resulted ia the destruction Of Ger
vera's squadron After giving the
positions Of the squadron when the
/ Spanish fleet started out. and the
/ preparation for opening the battle,
Admiral Sampson says the New York
was not at any time within range Of
/ the heavy Spanish ships, and her only
ipart in the firing was 10 receive the
undivided firing from the forts in
/ passing the harbor entrance, and 10
/ fire few shots at one OF the torpedo
boat destroyers.
The initial speed Of Spaniards car
ried them rapidly past the blockadlng
/ vessels, aud the battle developed into
a chase, in which the Brooklyn and
Texas had, at the start, the advant-
age Of position. The Brooklyn main
tained this lead until the Oregon,
steaming with amazing speed from
the commencement Of the action, took
the first place. The skiilful handling
and gallant fighting Of the Gloucester,
to the admiration Of every one who
Witnessed it, merits the commenda-
tion Of the navy department.
The admiral then takes up in de
tail the destruction Of each of the
| Spanish vessels, and the chase after
the Cristobal Colon, and says;
when the Vizcaya went ashore
/ the Colon was about six miles ahead
Of the Brooklyn ant Oregon, but her
squirt was finished and the American
ships were gaining upon her. Behind
the Brooklyn came the Texas and
New York. 1t was evident, from the
bridge Of the New York that all the
American ships were gradually over
hauling the chase, and that she had
no chance Of escaping. At 1880 the
Brooklyn and Oregon opened hre and
got their range-the Oregon's heavy
hells striking beyond her-and at 1:lO
she gave up without firing another
shot, hauled down her colors and ran
ashore at Rio Toruquino, IS miles
from Santiago. Captain Cook, Of the
Brooklyn, went on board to receive
the surrender. While his boat was
alongside, | came up in the New York,
received his report and placed the
Oregon in charge of the wreck,tn Saye
her, if possible ana directed the prs
oners TO be transferred to the Reso-
Lutte, which had followed the chase.
commodore Schley, whose chief of
StalI had gone on board to receive the
surrender had directed that all their
personal effects should be retained by
the officers. This order | did not
modify The Cristobal Colon was not
injured by our fire, and probably is
not much injured by the Bleaching,
though she ran ashore at Il high speed,
"When all the work was done 50
well, it is difficult to discriminate in
praise, The object of the blockade of
Cervera'S squadron was fully accomp-
lished, and each individual bore well
his part in 1.-THE commodore in
command on the second division; the
captains Of the ships, their officers
and men.
The fine speed Of the Oregon en-:
ablcd her TO take front position in
the chase, and the CriStohal Colon did |
not give up until the Oregon had F..
thrown IA l3-inch shell beyond her
This brilliant performance adds to the /
already brilliant record of this line
battleSuip, and speaks highly Of the .