The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-07
NEW COMMANDMENT STORY

NEW COMMANDMENT STORY
Copyright, 1898 by the Associated Press.)
Off Santiago de Cuba, June ?, per Asso-
ciated Press Dispatch Boat Wanda, via
Kingston, Jamaica, June 8.-The hermet-
icaIly sealed fleet of Spain in the harbor
of Santiago de Cuba got its first taste of
American gunpowder on Tuesday after
noon and it was evidently not greatly to
the liking of the Spaniards, for with the
big American warships firing only two
rounds from their largest guns, one Span
ism ship was hit and parts Of the fortifica-
tions were destroyed. One Pinch shell
from the Massachusetts plunged into the
deck of the Reina Mercedes, the partly
dismantled Spanish cruiser, and killed
eight Spanlards. besides wounding many
more.
After the discovery Of the fleet Sunday
Schley waited 4S hours to see if they would
venture out. No movement was made,
however, and on Tuesday morning the
commodore decided ne would find out just
how far in the mouth of the harbor the
Spanish cruiser CristobaI Colon was loca-
ted, appearances at different times being
very deceptive. In addition to this. he
was confident that the forts would re-
turn his fire and in that way the location
Of the Spanish guns and the probable &C
curacy Of their action could be deter
mined.
At 10 o'clock, accompanied by Lieuten-
ant Sears, Lieutenant Well and Ensign
MoCauley, all of the flagship, boarded the
yacht Vixen and were taken to the Mass
achusetts. Up to the time of their going
on board, there was no intimaton on the
big battleship that she would be allawed
10 shoot. Leaning up against one of the
big guns in the turret, Commodore Schley
patted IL with his hand and said:
'Higginson, how would you like to try
a few of those on that fellow in the har-
bor?"
Captain Higginson and the officers near
him fairly jumped with delight.
Very much, indeed" replied Captain
Higginson expressiveIy, and his officers
Joined in the expressed request.
II am sure I could plunk her If we get
the range on her" said Lieutenant CLAIM,
who had charge of the big pair in the
forward turret.
We'll" said Commodore schley. "tel
your DULLES that can't see there"
Then still chewing his cigar ne stood
with his glasses in his hand, looking
toward the objective point.
The men Of the secondary batteries.
who were not busy, profited by the exam
pie and stood out on the open deck and
watched the firing Of the guns.
The three war vessels were then about
six miles from the entrance of the bay,
TO the southwest of 1t, where the Cristobal
Colon could not be seen, as she lay broad
side on to the narrow entrance OF nook.
There was but one place where she could
be fired at by American ships and the
firing would have to be done. IL the ships
were moving. in two minutes.
GO ahead at 10 knots northwest" was
the order issued by the commodore and
the ships Strengthened out.
Fire when you are about 1900 yards"
was the next order from the commodore,
who stood on top of the big 13-inch gun
turret.
Lieutenant Potts told off the distance
70 lieutenant Sears and when 1900 yards
was announced, the Cristobal Colon's
stem and the bow OF the partly dismanued
Cristina Mercedes showed in the harbor.
You can fire now" said the commo-
aore to the semi-stripped captain, who
stood unconcernedly in the open Of the
great turret Then the commodore stepped
off the turret in order to avoid concus-
sion.
Let her go. lieutenant" was heard
from the turret. when there was a fright
ful roar and the immense half-ton projec-
tile propelled by the explosion of 500
pounds Of powder. wen; flying toward the
mark. For three seconds II few along its
trajectory. and when it dropped there
arose a fountain of water which for a
minute hid the Colon from sight. while a
ringing cheer went up from the jackies On
deck
a little short there Try your other a
little higher up" said the commodore.
and elevating it to 5000 yards the second
big gun hurled a projectile toward the
enemy.
a fair hit" cried the men as the shell
crashed into the stem of the Reina Mer-
Cedes and exploded.
The two after guns then spoke and
after this the entrance of the harhor ~
Santiago was closed out Of the vision
from on BOARD the batueship.
By this time the cruiser New Orleans
had come in range and the forts were
opening a steady fire from what are evil
derry high-power modern guns. The
shells dropped thick and fast over or
short of the Massachusetts,. and the
American bTne jackets jeered and laugh
ed At the bad aim Of the Spaniards. One
very we'll put shot went close through
N eupper works Of the Massachusetts.
hu lit did not hit anything and simply
made a splashing in the water upon the
other side Of the battleship.
We'll. the dagoes are getting little
better" said a sailor.
The remark caused another wagSish
blue Jacket to say ooh. give them year
and they'll learn to shoot"
The long rifles Of the New Orleans by
this time were playing tattoo on the
iow-lying forts near the entrance. 50 as
10 draw their fire and ascertain their
range and the Towa's big l2-inch guns
were hurting steel projectiles into the
harbor entrance The forts kept up a
perfect cannonade. and some Of their
ahots wer eweu aimed, so far as the