The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-11

lCOpyrlBuLt 1875 uy tIlS ASsOSAHbSu 4NoSH1
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July Q,
via PORT ANTONIO. jamaica, July 9,
8 p. m.-Following Is the official ac-
count of the engagement with the Span
lsh squadron, as seen from the United
States steamer Vixen:
At a. m. the quartermaster on duty
reported that tug was coming out OF
the harbor. Examination proved the
vessel to be Spanish cruiser flying o
large Spanish Gag and a smaller flag at
the masthead, which was thought to be
the admirals Aag, as 1t was on the lead
ing ship.
The Vixen at this time was lying
about two miles off shore and four
milea to the westward OF Morro Castle
and from this time to the end was new
er out OF sight OF the chase and was
within two miles Of the destruction Of
the three armored cruisers.
Word was ut once sent to the COM
manding officer and all hands were call
ed to quarters. Full speed was ordered
and the helm was put to port to stand
further OF shore and leave the Brook
lyn's fire line unobstructed. The Brook
lyn had holsted her signal that the en-
emy was attempting to escape and the
Vixen noticing that the leading ship
was Turning to the westward, slgnalled
that the enemy was attempting to es-
cape in that direction.
The feet at this time had resumed its
station and the vessels began rapidly to
close in towards the mouth OF the har-
bor, concentrating q terrific long range
fire upon the enemy.
There was no doubt that the enemy
was coming out. There we're several
anxious moments before It could be de-
termIned whether the Spanish admiral
would order his fleet to dlsperse and at
tempt to break through the blockading
squadron or would keep his ships to-
gether The leading vessel had chang
ed her course to the west, then Sec
ond vessel appeared, followed shortly
by the Crlstobal Colon. The Colon was
easily Identified because her mast was
between her two smokestacks. The
other ships could not easily be idenu-
fed as the Vizcaya, the Almirante
0quendo and Infanta Maria Teresa had
the same appearance.
The Fatal THrp.
Meanwhile the fleet approached the
mouth of the harbor and when the
fourth vessel appeared and turned to
the west It became evident that Ad-
miral Cervera had reconnoitered the
field and selected the west as the weak
est part Of the blockade, because the
strongest eastern current had drifted
the heaviest ships to the east OF their
customary positions. The western por-
ton OF the blockadlng circle was de-
Tended by the Vixen and the Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn headed north, apparent
" intending to intercept the head OF
the enemy's column.
AS the leading ships OF the enemy's
column appeared the western battery
opened heavy fre. apparently direct
ed at the eastern and central ships OF
the blockading squadron.
At 10 A. m. the Brooklyn was nearest
and engaged the two leading ships,
which were close together with an in
terval OF three-Quarters OF mile be-
tween the second ship and the Crlstobal
Colon.
At 1915. the Brooklyn turned with n
port helm, making a complete turn to
the east so that she first again headed
west. The enemY's leading ships were
on her starboard quarter and the fourth
vessel was coming up astern rapidly. At
this time the Vixen was west OF the
leading ship and was steaming on q
parallel course.
For the next fifteen minutes, the
Brooklyn received and returned the
FIRE of the two leading ships and an oc-
casional shot from the Cristobal Colon.
At 1890 the chase was well formed,
the positions being as follows:
The enemy's ships In column between
Catnnas and GuanHcabon, the Brooklyn
steering a parallel course a mile dis
tant, with the Oregon two miles SOUTH
east. The other American vessels were
obscured by the smoke.
At 1898 the Colon and the leading
ships of the enemy were close togeth-
er, Just clear OF the Brooklyn's bow as
viewed from the Vixen. the Crlstobal
Colon gaining speed and closing UP. II
was apparent that the leading vessel
was disabled and on fire, as she drop
ped rapidly astern. She apparently
headed for the shore on Juan Gonzalez
The Oregon, forging ahead capitally,
engaged the fourth ship. AS she pnss-
ed, two smaller Spanish ships, probably
the Furor and Pluton, to the westward
of Cabanas, engaged the Iowa and
Texas, though apparently on FIRE, But
the leading vessels we're too far to the
west to be Identified accurately. The
Indiana was In sight little to the
west OF Moro Castle.
At 1924, the Cristobal Colon was still |
gaining and was reserving her fire. At |
this moment the only American vessels
seen from the Vixen were the Brooklyn, |
Oregon, Texas and Iowa. six miles be-
hind the oregon. The Indiana was four
miles Rstern OF the Iowa.
The Fleeing Colon.
At 1887 the Crlstobal Colon and other
Spanish ships resumed their heavy fire. |
The second vessel was five miles from |
the Vixen. The Oregon was gaining |
rapidly on the Cristobal Colon, which |
was using smokeless powder. The |
enemy's fire was very high. and many
OF their shots passed over the Brooklyn, |
falling close to the Vixen, piece os
shell tearing the flag at her mainmast.
At l0a7 the Brooklyn forged ahead |
and the Oregon fired her forward thir- |
teen-inch gun at the leading Spanish |
vessel. At lOAS the Texas, IN front OF |
the Iowa, was gaining rapidly. At this |
time the Brooklyns fire was stendy and |
deadly, her shells striking or bursting |
alongside Of the Spaniards.
At iOa9 the Texas reached Juan Con-
Zales. and the Indiana was apparently |
or Cabanas.
At 1890 the vixen approached, head |
ing north northwest The Texas was
aaining rapidly, the Iowa appeared to |
be off Juan Gonzales. and yacht np-
pcared on Guayacabon, hotIy engaging |
the enemy's ships.
At 1854 another Spanish vessel was