New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19


spaniards apparently kept no lookout. The SOL
dlers in the forts and the people in the town
were fast asleep when the warships APP
preached.
1t was not yet broad daylight and the coast
of the island was yelled In unusual haze "A
range OF broken hills came almost down 10 the
ocean. and further inland, making q sharp hhe
against the sky. rose a tall range OF mountains
O:erhead the sky was deep blue. but nearer
the horizon were great masses Of cotton-looking
clouds A ten-knot easterly breeze was blowing
and long. heavy swell was rolling.
The plans of the Admiral thoroughly
carried out. The fleet steamed majestically into
the harbor and in due course Of time opened
tremendous fire upon the Notifications Three
times the warships made the circuit outlined In
the Official plan. The forts withstood the frst
round, but the Montgomery. from her station
near Fort Canuelo. Cabras Island. wrought
complete destruction. with glasses the officers
Of the Montgomery could see the occupants OF
the fort jumping the walls and running
away.
The Detroit. which went nearest to the Moro
had to train her guns at a high angle. Her
shots directed at the north side of the Morro
cut deep burrows in the face Of the Notifications
The Iowa leading the fleet delivered her deadly
missiles with great accuracy upon Morro's
northern walls The rest OF the fleet hrcd IN
order. first on MORO and then on San Carlos
according to position
THE SPANISH FIRE WILDLY.
On the second round the Spanish gunners
were thoroughly awakened and stood by their
guns bravely keeping up furious but aiinless
fire From their firm foundation and high ele-
walton they had splendid opportunity to cripple
the fleet, but the Spanish gunners seemed 10
fire regardless Of aim and as II only desirous OF
emptying their magazines.
From the Associated Press dispatch-boat the
American shells could be seen to fall among the
forts and among the troops OF the garrison
raising clouds Of dust and causing fires 10
break out.
1t was hoped the Spanish fleet would emerge
from the harbor soon as the firing began ana
a feeling Of deep disappointment spread through
the feet when the lookouts reported the harpor
clear.
At the end OF the third round the monitor
Terror failed to understand the order to with
draw and engaged MORO Castle alone for half
an hour.
As seen from the dispatch boat Of the Asso-
c,ated Press. which occupied grandstand po-
s,tion the souatty little monitor in tackling the
towering fort was making a magnificent ais
NAV OF daring The Terror moved IN as II IN
tending 10 ram the forts, and the spanish gum
ners evidently became much excited az her oe-
hayior, for they fred rapidly and without 'ah'"s
any aim and the Terror was not toucHeu'
From the dispatch boat every shot nred py inc
Spaniards could be seen. The nash ana s"'ohe
- tbeir batteries were followed by great splash
,nrs hundreds OF feet from the Terror Inc
shells OF the Spaniards on exploding would hing
columns of water sixty feet high
The scene was intensely interesting. but IL
was ro, so exciting as had been expected The
Spanish aim was so astoundngy bad that alb
solutely no anxiety felt for the ships In
fact when the Spanish forts fired volleys which
hid them in smoke followed a few seconds later
hy the geyserke spouting and splashing not
dangerously near the Terror. dersive cheers
went up from the coored crew OF the dispatch
boat. standing in the bow Of the latter. for they
o-e oerre haters Of the Spaniards The oiilceis
and reporters on the dispatch-b boat viewed the
bombardment through narihe-eiasses iioi' 'i'o
ton of the pOthousc.
The heavy swe'ls somewhat affected the aim
of the gl,nuers Of the Terror, for some or her
shnlls struck tho sea in front OF the Forts. r.
nally the Terror seemingly grew tired ana she
slowly withdrew. firing as she steamed away.
Then the Spaniards became almost frantic WIN
excitement and blaZed away at the monitor
until she long out OF range
A VIEW OF THE DAMAGE DONE.
After
boat went among the fleet to inspect the dam
age done The sailors were calmly cleaning the
decks and polishing the guns. on board the
Iowa boat was struck and caught fire an *
baustnlpe was denied the bridge railing was
shattered and three men were slightly wounded
and all this done by the one shell which
struck the ship. =. a.,
One shell which exploded the New-York
Titled a man wounded four others. shattered
two searchlights. splintered cutter tore thrce
Lrarr oil -
holes in ventilator ana broke slra!i unEt
arm Pieces OF this shell were carefully gain
cred I'D for souvenirs. but there were not
enough pieces TO 80 around. The New YORK was
hit only once.
Press left the vicinity OF San Juan dc Porto Rico
for the Island OF st. Thomas with the cabIe
dispatch describing the engagement the fleet
was preparing to bury the dead In ADDITION 10
the man killed on board the New-York. n gun
ner's mate on board the monitor Amphtrite died
from the effects OF the heat.
OF the New-York's four wounded men only
two were seriously enough injured to call FOR
their transfer to the hospital-ship Solace. which
subsequently joined the feet.
The New-York fired 80 shots, IL Is said DUR
Ing the bOmbardment
The cable operator at San Juan de Porto Rico
cabled 10 the operator at st. Thomas eaiiy dur
ing the morning Of the 10Th announcing that Il
vigorous bombardment Of the capital of Porto
* ,oEe io The Woods II is consdared pro6abe
that most OF the Inhabitants Of the place fol-
lowed his example. and fled from the city soon
after they were awakened by the 1owa's first
broadsde.
The only war vessel OF foreign Power at San
Juan de Porto Rico during the bombardmcnt
was the small French cruiser ReCaut de Ge-
nouilly. She had her rigging cut by pieces OF
she'll After the bombardment the Frenchman
left for the Island OF ST. Thomas, where her
commander told Captain Converse OF the Mont
gomery that the American operations were en-
tirciy justlable. 1t is understood however.
that the French officers. In conversation with
other people, criticised the wisdom Of the bonn
bardment.
CUBA AND PORTO RICO.
INTERESTING INFORMATION GIVEN BY THE b.
REAU OF FOREIGN COMMERCE.
Washington. May BIN response TO the demand
for information in regard TO Cuba and Porto Rico
tha R,ren Of EnreiRn Commerce of the Siain Do