The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-05-12

splashed all about their hlll1s. One shot
struck the Olympia nearly abreast OF the
wardroom gun, but burst without doing
much damage. Another entered the Bos-5
tons port quarter, exploding in the state.
room and starting fire, which was quick
ly extinguished. Capt. Wildes, of the Bos-5
ton, moment later had a narrow escape
A shell from a Spanish gun tore through
the vessels foremost passing Just IN front
Of him.
"Encoura ged by the small amount Of dam
age that was being done by the guns from
the Spanish ships and batteries, the flag
ship turned and steamed majest1cally up
within 1900 yards Of the enemys vessels.
At this range even the quick-fring six
a perfect storm Of projecties was poured
in upon the unfortunate Spanish fleet.
Vessels Burning.
"Three vessels were set on fire and their
men were forced to abandon the guns. Sat-
isf1ed with the work thus far accomplished,
Commodore Dewey gave the signal and the
fleet steamed slowly out of the range Of
the batteries in order that the crews, which
had been continuously at the guns for
moro than two hours, could go to break
fast. There was lull in the firing. and
shortly before eight o'clock the fleet
ing Justify. For three hours they remained|
out of range of the enemy's guns, and then
the signal for action tluttered at the hall
yards of the &gship.
Attack Renewed.
'"rhis time the Baltfm ore was given the
place of honor. She opened up with her
guns on the Spanish ships and batteries as
coolly as If at target practice. The replies
were slow and irregular. The Raleigh, the
Boston, the Concord and the Petrol were
directed to break into the inner harbor and
destroy every hostile ship in sight. The
gunboat Petrol, with her light draft, was
enabled to move up within 1000 yards. With
her guns going as rapidly as they could be
fired, she created awful havoc among the
vessels still flying the Spanish flag.
''In the meantime the Reina Christina
had been burning fiercely and had been
Abandoned The Ulloa, which had also been
deserted, lurched suddenly and sank be-
meath the waters of the bay.
"A few minutes later the Spanish flag
on the arsenal disappeared and was re-
placed by white ensign that fluttered
bravely in the wind. The signal was then
made to the Petrol to finish the destruc-
ton Of the vessels in the inner harbor.
The Don Juan de Austria, the Marquis
Duerc, the Isla de Cuba and tho Correo
were set on fire. The Manila, a large
transport and a number of tugboats were
seized before they could be sunk md passed
into the hands of the Americans.
"Dewey's orders on approaching Manila
had been to capture or destroy every Span
ish vessel in sight. Within six hours after
the Olympia steamed past the fortifications
at the entrance of the harbor the orders had
been implicitly obeyed. Not a Spanish YES
sci remained in the hands of the enemy.
The total casualties on the American fleet
were six men slightly wounded while the
Spaniards report 61S missing.
Spaniards Were Brave.
'"The officers of the gunboat McCulioch
bear testimony to the bravery of the Span
iards. They particularly praised the gall
liant crew of the Castillo, whom they de-
scribe as 1.-The bravest men ever sacrificed
in battle" They consider the result Of the
fight remarka BILE instance of the advan-
tage Of lcng-range firing to the side which
is better in artillery and craftsmanship.
1.-THE Don Antonio de Ulloa made most
magnificent show Of desperate bravery.
When her commander found she was so
torn by the American shells that he could
not keep af1oat he nailed her colors to the
mast, and she sank with all hands fighting
to the last. Her hull was completely rid
died, and her upper deck had been swept
clean by the awful fire of the American
guns but the Spaniards, though their YES
sci was sinking beneath them, continued
| working the guns on the lower deck until
! she sank beneath the water
"Private papers captured at Cavite show
| 1t was intended that the Spanish feet should
| engage the Americans outside the bay the
| day before the fight. No explanation is
| Forthcoming of the change in plans A
landing was not effected at Manila, where
food is scarce, as Commodore Dewey could
not undertake any responsibility.
1.-THE only loss on the American vessels
| was Of Chief Engineer Randall, of the Nc
| Culloch, who died Of heat and apoplexy,
as the squadron was entering the harbor.
| He was buried at sea-
| Rumored Evacuation of Manila.
| Madrid May Sit is claimed that mes
| sage has been received here from Manila.
announcing that the Spanish. troops have
retired from Manila, taking with them all
| their arms. ammunition and stores.