Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-07-08

fectiye range. They crowded on all
steam, however, in preparation for the
chase, never stopping their fire for one
moment.
1t did not take the flames long to
reach the Jurors magazines, and there
were two terrific explosions, probably
OF guncotton, on board of her, which
blew holes in her bottom. Her stern
sunk Immediately, and as il settled in
the water her bow rose straight into
the air and she went to the bottom in
perpetual oblivion, giving out a hiss
ing, scalding sound as she disappeared
below the surface.
Meantime, the large American ships
were gaining on the Spanish cruisers
and storm of shots was passing be-
tween the pursuers and the pursued.
The American fire was SO rapid that
the ships were envelopcd in thick
clouds of smoke, and it was impOssi:
BILE to tell at the distance which yes
sells were doing the greatest execution.
The Brooklyn and the five battleships
were keeping up an incessant fire
upon the Infanta Maria Teresa, the
Vizcaya and the Almirante Oquendo,
and the latter was returning it bravely,
though with no success. The Spanish
gunners seemed unable to get the
proper range, and many Of their shots
were very wild, though a number of
them fell dangerously near the mark.
The guns of the battery just east of
Moro also took part in the game, and
their shells fell around the American
ships. Many OF them struck the up
perworks of the fleeing Spaniards,
and must have resulted in killing and
wOunding many of their men.
The Spanish ships had now reached
point about seven miles west of
Moro and mile or TWO beyond the
place where the Furor was burning
and the Pluton broken in two against
the cliff.
The Gloucester, a fast little yacht
that cannot boast of any heavier
battery than several six Founders and
three Founders, was lying off Aguadores
three miles east OF Moro, when the
Spaniards came out. At first she
joined in the attack Of leading vessel,
and then held off, Capt. Wainwright
concluding to reserve his efforts for
the two torpedo boat destrOyers in the
rear. The Gloucester steamed after
them when they appeared and chased
them 10 point five miles west of Moro
castle, pouring shot after shot into
them all the time. Her efforts bore
abundant fruit, for to her belongs the
credit for the destruction of both of
the destroyers. She fired 400 shots
during the chase, and it was not long
before both destroyers were on fire
and plainly disabled headed for the
shore. The Pluton ran alongside of Il
low bluff, where she soon pounded to
pieces and finally broke in two COM
pletely. 1t was most dangerous
landing place for her crew, and but
about half OF them reached the shore
alive.
The Gloucester did not 90 any
further west, but lay off shore and sent
in q boat to the assistance of the crews
OF the destroyers.
The flagship and the Oquendo were
the first to show signals of distress
Two thirteen-inch shells from one OF
the battleships had struck the Maria
Teresa at the water line, tearing great
holes in her side and causing her to
fill rapidly. The Oquendo suffered
about the same fate, and both ships
headed for a small cove onJ wont
aground two hundred yards from the
shore, flames shooting from them in
every direction.
The officers and crew must have
been aware of the fate which seemed
to be before them, but it was not until
the ships were on fire and enveloped
in flames and smoke that the men
ceased firing.
The Gloucester, after sending boat
ashore to the Pluton, steamed along
the coast to where the armored cruisers