Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-28
CAPTAIN ClARK'S TERSE TALE
But for Skill of Oregon's Crew Two
Ships Might Have Succeeded '
in Running Away.

WASHINGTON, July 26.-Following is
the report of Captain C. E. Clark, of the
Oregon:
UNITED STATES OREGON, FIRST
RATE, OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July
4-Sir:
l. l have the honor to report that at
$3.50 a. m. yesterday the Spanish fleet was
discovered standing out of the harbor Of
Santiago de Cuba. They turned to the west
ward and opened fire, to which our ships re-
piled vigorously. For a short time there was
an almost continuous flight of projectiles
over this ship, but when our line was fairly
engaged, and the Iowa had a swift advance,
as II to ram or close. the enemy's fire be-
came defective In train, as well as range.
The ship was only struck three times. and
at least come of them were by fragments Of
shells. We had no casualties.
2. AS soon as 1t was evident that the
enemy's ships were trying to break through
and escape to the westward, we went ahead
at full speed with the determination of car
rying out our order-''If the enemy tries to
escape, the ships must close and engage as
soon as possible, and endeavor to sink his
vessels or run them ashore" We soon
passed all our ships, except the Brooklyn,
bearing the broad penant of Commodore
Schley. At first we only used our main
battery, but when it was discovered that
the enemy's torpedo boats were following
their ships, we used our rapid-tire guns as
well, as the skies upon them, with telling
Nli''b. 40 VIC IduStu IttI lHG SltTUllOSC
Of the ships 1t headed for the beach, evil
IDENTIFY afire. We raked her as We passed.
pushing on for the next ahead, using our
starboard guns as they were brought to
bear and before We had It fairly abeam, it
too was making for the beach.
The Chase.
The two remaining vessels were now some
distance ahead, but our speed had increased
to sixteen knots and our fire, added to that
or the IrnnklNn soon cont nnpthnr tho
Vi2caya, to the shore in flames. Only the
Colon was left, and for q time it seemed as
though it would escape, but when we opened
with our forward turret guns and the
Brooklyn followed, this vessel began to edge
IN toward the coast, and it's capture or
destruction was assured. A. it struck the
beach its flag came down and the Brooklyn
signalled, Cease firing" following it with,
congratulations for the grand victory,
thanks for your splendid assistance
). The Brooklyn sent a boat to it and
when the admiral came up with the New
York and Texas and Wien it was taken
possession of. A prize crew was put aboard
from this ship under Lieutenant Com
mander Cogswell. the executive officer, but
before IL p. m. the ship which had been
hlling in spite of all efforts to stop leaks
was abandoned, and just as the crew left it
went over on it's side.
4. l cannot speak in too high terms of
the bearing and conduct of all on board
N'' 'N'I' W hSi NAlNN oii Nht clC6Oli
had pushed to the front and was hurryirg
to a succession of conflicts with the
enemy's vessels, which If overtaken would
engage them, their enthusiasm was in
tense. -
All Credit to Orcgon's Crew.
8. AS these vessels were so much more
heavily armored than the brooklyn they
might have concentrated upon and over
powered 1t and consequently / am persuaded
that hut for the Way the OficarS and nnn
of the Oregon steamed and steered the ship
and fought and supplied its batteries the
Colon, and, perhaps, the Vizcaya, would
have escaped. Therefore l feel that they
rendered meritorious service to the coun-
try, and while | cannot mention the name
Of each officer and man individually am
going to append a list of the officers with
the stations that they occupied, hoping that
1t may be of service to them should the
claims of others for advancement above
them ever be considered.
Here Captain Clark gives a list of the
officers and their positions in the fight.