Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-10-01
CRUISER AGAINST BArrLEsHIp.
Schiey was Eager to Attack, Al
though at Overwhelming ODDS.

SchIey was Eager to Attack. Al
though at Overwhelming ODDS.
Here is an incident which shows
more clearly than anything else just
what the navy is ready 10 do and
how delicately balanced is the ship
on the shoulders of our sea fighters.
When Schley had enriched our his
tory on July and every ship in
these waters under the royal banner
of Castillo had been shattered, he
was sailing east 10 resume station
before Santiago. Word came to
him that the Pelayo, pride OF the
Spanish navy, had reached the Car
ibbean, and he was directed to en-
gage her as soon as found. To nav.
val experts the suggestion that
crusier fight a battleship is insanity
gone mad, but nevertheless, the
Brooklyn started on her errand.
Near Santiago a battleship was
sighted, heavily armoured and tur-
reted, but at such a distance that
her colors could not be distinguished
under the glass. Toward her the
Brooklyn started. Commodore
Schley and Captain Cook stood on
forward bridge as the big cruiser
fairly leaped forward to give battle.
"She is white, an unusually thing
in war time,n said the commodore,
watching the stranger through the
glass. ~ don't believe she is Span
ish, he remarked moment latter;
and then consulting a picture of
sister ship to the Peyalo suddenly
exclaimed SPY joyel 1t is the Pei
ago, after ALL"
"On the signal bridget shouted
Captain Cook. Can you make out
her colors?"
'Not yet. sir,' came the answer
followed moment later by, awe
have raised her colors, sir, and she
is Spanish"
"Send your men to quarters, Cook
said the Commodore, "and start an
eight Inch shell for her when l give
the word.n
On went the Brooklyn, fast closing
the distance between herself and the
stranger--a big battle ship of mod
ern type and with her flag aft--two
stripes Of red on each side of yellow
as it appeared, and the crown in the
proper place. The bugle sung "To
quartersl' and the men, although
they had been fighting all morning,
rushed to their guns with a cheer.
For moment the commodore hest
tated "On the signal bridget he
called "are you certain the stranger
is Spaniard?"
"Certain, sir came the reply. 81
can see her colors distinctly
The Commodore had his glasses
on the battle ship. Turning TO the
captain Of his ship be said: "Cook
that fellow is not at quarters. His
guns are turned away from us. He
is not up TO snuff. Watch him close
ly, and the moment he sends his men
to quarters or moves q turret, let
drive. Give him everything we have.
We will sink him in twenty minutes
unless he gets shot under our
belt"
Just then the officer on the bridge
reported that the battle ship was
signaling with the international
code, and soon translated the mes.
sage: This is an Austrian battle
ship"
Half an hour later the commander
of the Maria Theresa (Austrian) was
seated in Commodore schley's cabin.
'If you had sent your men to
quarters or moved turret 1 should
have raked you; it was narrow
escape" said the commodore, during
the conversation. "Your flag Is 80
like SPANS saving that you have
white stripe where she has yellow,
that 1T is hard to tell them apart at
any considerable distance, and 1
came very.near letting drive at you."
1--WE Eknow that" returned the
Austrian, "and we were very much
worried. We signaled you long
before you answered We had no
wish to be troubled. We have seen
the wrecks along the coast. But,
"he inquired, as he arose to leave,
"do ousend cruiser to meet battle
ships?"
The commodore smiled as be ans.
wered; Eve always make a fight
With the first ship we have at hand.
We never wait because we are out
rated. We try to win with what wo
have"
"You Americans are very re.
workable, said the Austrian, as he
went over the side to his boat
Chicago Record.