The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-27

WASHINGTON, July 2e.-The navy
department to-day made public the re-
port of Admiral Sampson and commo-
dore schley on the battle Of July 8,
which resulted In the destruction OF Cer-
vera's squadron.
The report Of Admiral Sampson Is
quite lengthy, the major part Of Il be-
ing description Of the dght, already
dllated on extensively in the PRESS dis
patches. In concluding his report the
admiral says: The method Of escape att
tempted by the Spaniarde steering
ii the same direction, and in formation
removed all tactical doubts or difficulties
and made plain the duty Of every United
States vessel TO close In Immediately.
eHgage and pursue.As already stated,
the first rush Of the Spanish squadron
carried It past a number OF the blocbad-
ing ships, which could not immediately
work up their speed; but they suffered
heavily in passing, and the Infanta
Maria Teresa and the Almirante oqen-
do were probably set on fire by the
shells firing during the first fifteen min
utes Of the engagement. IT was after
wards learned that the Infanta Maria
Teresa's fire main had been cut by one
Of our first shotB, and that she was una
BILE 70 extingulsh fire. With large vol
umes OF smoke rising from their lower
decks aft, these vessels gave up both
fight and flight, and ran In on the
beach, the Infanta Maria TeTeSaa4 about
10:l5 a. M, at Nina Nina, slE and one
hnlf miles from Santiago harbor en-
trance, and the Aimiarrte oquendo at
about 1920 a. m, at Juan Gonzalez,
seven miles from the port.
The Vizcaya was still under the hre
nf the leading vessels, the CFistoeei CO
lon had drawn ahead, jeadlng the chase
and coon passed beyond the range OF the
leading American ships The VlEcaya
was soon Get on fire, and ut 11;l5 she
turned lnsiore, and was beached at AZ
erraderos. fifteen miles from Santiago,
burning herceiy, and with her reserves
OF ammunition on deck already negin-
ming TO explode. When about ten miles
west Of Santiago the Indiana had been
nignaiied to. 81, back 10 che habor en-
trance, and at AgeTTaderos the Iowa
was compelled to resume bloelsadinE.
The Iowa, Gsslsted by che Ericsson and
the HIST, took of the crew OF the VIZ
caya, while the Harvard and the Glou-
cesterrescued those0f the Gnfanta Maria
Teresa and the Almlrante oquendo.
Daring amd Gallant Conduoi.
This rescue Of prisoners, including
the wounded from the burning Spanish
vessels was the OCCASION Of the most dar-
Inr and gallant conduct at the day. The
ships were burning fore and aft, their
4 e
piotiinE, and 1t was known at what mo-
mont the fire would reach the main
pnaqazineS. In addition to this a heavy
surf was running Just inside OF the
Spanish ships. But no risks deterTea our
offlcers and men until their work OF ha-
mRhIty was complete.
shins only the Crlstobal Colon-but she
vas their best and fastest vessel. Fore
ed by the situation to hug the Cuban
coast, her only chance Of escape was
by superior and sustained speed. When
tSe Vlzcaya went ashore the Colon was
about six miles ahead Of the Brooklyn
and the Oregon, but her squirt was nm
Tshpd. and the American ships were
now gaining ON her. Behind the Brook
Iyn and Oregon came the Texas, Vixen
and New York, II was very evident
from the bridge Of the New York that
ali the American ships were gradually
oyerhnuling the chase, and that she mad
no chance of escape. At 1880 the
Brooklyn and the Oregon opened fire
ard cot her range--the 0regon's heavy
EheiIS striking Beyond heT-0nd at 1890
ehe gave up without firing another Shell
hanied down her coloFg md ran ashore
al RIO Toruuino, forty-eight miles from
Santiago. Captain Cook, Of the Brook
Ivn. went on board to receive her sur
render. while his boat was alongside
came up IN the New York, received his
report and placed the Oregon in charge
OF the wreck, TO save her, Il possible
and directed the prisoners to be trans
fererd to the Resolute, which had tol-
lowed the chase.
Dldn't ModICy RShIsy's Orders.
Commodore schiey, whose chief Of
stat, had gone on board to receive the
surrender, had directed that oil their
personal effects should be retained by
me officers. This order did not modi-
Nv. The Cristobal Colon was not In
iured by our firing, and probably - not
much injured by beaching, though she
ran ashore at high speed. The beach
was 70 steep that che came on by the
working OF the sea. But her sea valves
Wcro opened and broken, treScheTously,
/ am sure, after her surrender, and de-
gpfte nil effots she sank. When II be-
ca4ne evident that she could not fioat
she yras pushed by the New York bodily
uDon the beach, the New York's stem
being piaced against hor for this pur-
nose, the chip being handled by Captain
CHADWICK with admirable Judgment
md sank In shoal water, and may be
rayed. Had this not been done she
would have gone down In deep water,
and would have been to a certainty
regard this complete and important
victory over the Spanish forces as the
successful result Of Several weeks OF ar
duous and close blockade, 30 strihgent
ana effectiye during the night that the
enemy was deferred from making The
attempt TO escape at night, and dphoer-
nteiy elected % make the attempt In
daylight. TbRt this was the case was
lnformed hy the Commander OF the Cria-
tobal Colon.
when ali the work was done so well
Il is dlflcuit 10 discriminate IN praise,
Tho object Of the blockade OF Cefvefae
sduadrnn was fully accomplished ana
each Individual bore his part IN it--the
commodore IN Command 0f the second
diViSlon, the captAing OF the Ehlps their
-