New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-23
LOG OF CRISTOBAL COLON.
STORY OF CERNERAS FLEET FROM THE
DAY IT LEFT SPAIN UNTIL 1T
WAS DESTROYED.
WAS DESTROYED.

Guantanamo BAY. July 11.-When Admiral
Cervera and the other officers OF the fleet OF
Spain were about to sail on the -. Louis az
prisoners Of war il was discovered by Flag
Lieutenant James H. Sears tina; the officers OF
the Cristobal Colon had their log books with
them He reported the fact tn Commodore
schlsy who at once ordered them seized.
The second in command. Adolphus Contreros,
Capitsine de Frigate. came aboard the Brook
Ign and asked that they be returned. as they
were the only records saved. Commodore Scnley
said:
II Will turn them over TO my Government for
Information"
Contrcrcs storned and pleaded and finally
Commodore Schloy lest his temper, as much as
he ever does-and that is little--and said
Il do not 500 the; YOU are entitled to any con-
slderation at all You sunk your ships after
YOU had surrendered. You ruined YOUR guns
and did everything that dishon 'rahie enemy
could think Of. | shall hold your log.
The story told 10y tho log book is an interest
Ing one The minute details. as translated by
Lieutenant Benjamin Wells, jr.. from ihe daily
record, constitute tho first complete story Of
the movements of Admiral Cervera's feet from
the time 1t left spa ID the memorable day OF
destruction.
April li-Arrlyed 81 Porto Grande. Cape de verd
Islands, anchoriug 7t i'os It. m.
o16 co s"S oa 2Snga nd %TgHGS
ship and took in stores, guns and equipments De-
April 2l-Sailcd from Porto Grande. together with
Infanta Maria Teresa. NlzcaYa. oluend0: fiuton.
Fur0r and Terror during the morning. The Colon
flowed the Furor. the Oqu"ndo the fluton ana the
Teresa the Terror The squadron steamed at an
consdsrabe diaicuity being experiencei with the
lows and with the engines o: the large vessels
Weather was generally good. Steam WAS only kept
on one boiler Of the torpedO-bOat destrOyers.
7, Is noted that whenever there 10 be a gen
eral cleaning day the flagship made signal for it,
There comparatively few drills noied in the log
May s-Terror and Piuton detached and stood in
for Martinique. Latitude lt?S north. longitude
May IA about m the Terror rejolnsd. sig
morning TO shorten distance. believing he would re-
turn about shutdown" Teresa took Terror in tow
Trouble with boilers OF Terror.
May 12-About l a. m Frlror rejoined. Squadron
off Martinique at this time. Put forty bags OF coal
aboard the Furor Squadron stood 10 sCuthward
ossd tnZS- G Nth eb,v Sas Of cds IN tSs
forenoon the Teresa ana Vizcaya entered the har-
oauendo' "Toymorrow 0 give thriy-a1e tons coal
to the torpedo destroyers
vizcaya and Pluton returned from the harbor
Squadron stood TO the northward.
May l6-Rendezvous appointed Santiago de
May lat daylight Colon signaned This vessel
were also offering their congratulations (what for
the log does not state'. The flagship replied. "Ad-
lions And later The ADMIRAL thanks the squad
ron for congratulations and IS sure Of victory with
May ls-Adnnlral sisnalled that re Intended to
run into Santiago de Cuba.
May la-Arriyed at Santiago de cuba. anchorng
at Nav so ..c 20 shifted anchorage to En.ensda de
May 27-va,ch-,ower sgnalled ten enemy's ships
vessels A. $50 the semaphore signaled Enemy
has disappeared
report position OF the enemys ships and announce
May 2s-Enemy's squadron to eastward. steam
NE IN column hGaded toward he haroor RecoS-
and merchant vessel Prepared the battery. load
Ing With stce! shells
m M@ sg 3 & the anfya d
IA win Two masts Win three tops on
May 3l-Log says here that the Colon was struck
bombardmen; II struck her in the side and injured
June Colon shifted her berth up the harbor
trance: Later flagship made signal. MERCHANT
was. h passing Ensenada do Nispero sunk by
torpedo from Pluton and by mine without ac-
ofFcer and six men"
p6oTo 9PenSd yf a. s A.
Mercedes rapid-hre guns in the mouth Of the har-
Comm ander Emilio Costa. executive OF the Mer-
cedes. and FIVE men: wounded. Ensign Alijandrc
June le-At $50 enemys squadron opened a brisk
FIRE the shore batteries. some OF The rrojectiles
our batteries continuing the fire until 6:35 at which
hour !; ceased. During forenoon equipped a com
June IA; : enemy opened fire 10 westward upon
Point Cabrera lasting until 6A3. According sig
two steam launches.
June Is Mention made Of diver having examined
wreck 81 the Merrimac. divers had been sent from
Of STAFF some days before this Night signals
made by the senaphore that the enemy's squadron
June 2I-Twenty ships appeared only four %
which were ren-of-war. ono Of them Very large
June H--The landing company equipped ana at :
's'ed IN hrst lsun.h the aTllllery ana ammunition
ashore The next morning.
IAt sos heard sh no from rnCnys squad,
Il which the enemy did slowly. lasted until
nso In the afternoon sent landing party ashore.
June :5-seIt a detachment ashore and sent rim
June ?. Sent 10 tho Detachment at the Iron Pie.
rstions 10 ,hd party a; Dos cruces "''S
June . sent provisions 70 the party AT Dos
June 2s- Sen, provisions to party q; Dos Cruces
and In afternoon sent cartridges and Nv" boxes OF
Nauser rife ammunition to the detachment under
the command Of tho third officer
June 21-Sen' ammunition to IN, Dos Cruces party
10 the Iron Pier and one day. provisions other
June IS Provisions ard clothing sent to the Dos
Caminos Do Coh~~ party.
tachmen,s. Heard cannon shots shore IN the
afternoon Droiectile passed near the bow Of the
firing in that direction from or A;aroS). Heard
sharp firing between the town and Sihoney. tho
squadron firing upon the hsrbor. A number Of tho
wounded arrived AT The military hospital Men
Juiy 2-FIag.hip signalled. Light fires under ali
boers" and that tho colon should light hers So
as have steam at p At a. heard rife
Bays Bay squadron opened ''f ''' batteries ana the
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