The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-19


Tor the evening concert on Thursday with
especial reference to rousing the patriotism
Oh the boys in blue. choosing many of
the airs that were popular In the North
during the civil war. but though these
were favorably received, It was not till the
Dand struck up Yankee Doodee" that tho
BOYS cheered. When the concert closed
with Star Spangled Banner" the voices OF
at least fifty men took up the words OF
each verse, the young apprentices partc-
ularly being prominent in the lead and the
chorus spread through the ship from fore
castle to cabin with an enthusiasm that
carried the hearts OF all on board.
Searchlight and night signal exercise took
place during large part of the first watch
Thursday night, and the progress made In
working both the lights and the signals
was very satisfactory. Friday was passed
without incident except that the weather
became very warm and muggy. and the
work OF the men below deck, particularly
In the fire rooms and engine rooms, was
exhausting far beyond what it had been
at any previous time this year.
In spite OF the heat and the rather heavy
sea, however. the men did their work SO
thoroughly that every chip kept her posi-
ton with a precision that have never
seen surpassed even in merely practice
evolutons
Land--the Island of Luzon--was sighted
early Saturday morning, and being now in
close proximity to the enemy the whole
squadron began Its final preparations for
the battle that every one knew was near
at hand. Aboard the Olympia and Bau-
more, and possibly some Of the other ships.
the sheet chain cable was "bighted," or
coied around the ammunition holsts so as
to give them considerable protection. There
is little doubt that these improvised shields
would have kept out many shell il the
Spaniards had shot straight enough to hit
them. Nets of tough, pliable manila rope,
about as thick as ones little finger, were
stretched beneath all the boats and were
drawn across the front of the ward room
bulkheads. These splinter nets were in
tended to prevent the woodwork from
throwing deadly missiles when struck by
shot or shell.
All unnecessary material was thrown
overheard, and in most of the ships the
men preferred to dispense with many OF
their usual comforts rather than to keep
dangerous woodwork in the parts of the
ships where they would have to do their
fighting. Mess chests. mess tables, dddy
boxes, chairs, wardroom bulkheads and
vast quantity of other impedimenta, went
swimming also, and II the currents hap
peped to take the stuff ashore the Luzon
Islanders will reap A. rich harvest.
When a few miles distant from Subic
bay, a rather deep opening in the bold
rugged coast, the Boston and the Concord
were sent ahead to learn whether any part
of the Spanish squadron was hidden there.
Later they were reinforced by the baiu,
more, the three vessels moving at speed
of about fifteen knots. while the other
three remained with the transport and
steamed at only six knots. In the after
noon the three scouting vessels came back,
having explored Subic bay without finding
any craft there except few small sloops
and schooners which were overhauled but
not otherwise disturbed.
Commanding officers now came over TO
the flagship. all vessels lying motionless on
an absolutely calm sea When the war
council broke up we soon learned that the
commodore had told his captains that he
intended to enter Manila bay that night,
largely because he felt sure the Spaniards
would not expect him until that favorite
reckoning day in Spanish affairs,
"manana" Then our ships idled along at
a speed of about four knots. not wishing
to appear off the entrance 10 Manila pay
too early.
The moon had risen. and although 1t was
occasionally obscured by light clouds the
night was not one in which squanioh
ought to have been able TO run through
well defended channel without drawing
upon itself a hot fire. Consequently al
quarter to 10 o'clock. the men were sent
TO their guns not by the usual bugle call,
but by stealthily whispered word OF
mouth. Every man was long since ready
and the final steps OF battle clearing were
completed In deathly silence in very few
minutes. OFF to port we could see tne
sullen loon of the land where, for all
we knew the enemy was already watching
our approach. Astern we could dimiy make
out the phantomlike hulls OF our consents.
n N
vessel except one at the very stern, wnica
was necessary as a guide for the following
shin and this one was shaded on each size.
The speed was increased TO eight knots,
and we slipped past the batteries that We
believed existed on the point north oil the
entrance without seeing anything 10 lead
us TO think we had been seen. Then Cor
regilor island came abeam, and every
glass was turned on Its frownins ffoat.
But not till we had swung into the chief
chaunel--Boca Grande as 1t is called-dd
the lookouts of Corregidor catch sight OF
u.s. Then a bright light flashed UP In the
center Of the island. and 1t was answered
by similar one on the north shore. AZ
last a rather feeble rocket staggered aloft
over Corregidor, and we felt sure we should
soon hear from their guns. But no; on we
went, deeper and deeper into the bay ana
still no hostile move was made. Not until
most of the squadron had passed the mar
rowest part of the entrance dii gun
greet US.
Shortly after 1 o'clock a bright Hash on
our port quarter was followed py me
boom Of heavy gun. ana sinuilaueousl.
we heard the vndictve whistle OF slot
far over our heads The first hostile sh I
had been fired and the fight was on. ThH
battery whence this shot had conle was too
far astarn 10 receive any return nre from
the Olympia. but the commodore was sonle-