The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-29
COOKS STORY ON CERVERA.
CAPTAIN OF THE BROONLYN DE
SCRIBES THE BATTLE.


when the Spanish Squadron Was
Observed Coming Ont of the Har-
bOr-ViNen PIucI1iIy Took Position
to Protect the Flagship Against
Torpedo Attnck-Detnils of the En-
eagemeEft Conform to Previous Ac-
counts.
Washington. July 2S.-The navy depart
ment to-day made public the following
report of Capt Cook Of the Brooklyn on
the destruction of Admiral Cerveras fleet:
United States Flagship Brooklyn, First
Rate. At Anchor Guantanamo Bay, July
7. 1S97.-Sir: First-At a. m, July s,
gave orders and arrangements were made
for general muster at $3.50 a. m. At $3.50
a. m. The enemy were telegraphed by the
Iowa as coming out. At the same time
they were discovered by the quartermas-
ter on watch, n. Anderson, of this ship,
and reported to the officer of the deck.
THE executive officer, Lieutenant Com
mander Mason, who was on deck about
to execute the order for general muster.
Immediately gave the order Clear ship
for action and general quarters
Signal was made at the same time,
Enemy coming out action.
l went Immediately forward stood for
the enemy and gave orders to get steam
in all boilers.
1--WE started with steam In three boilers
at about u knots speed.
''Second-The head Of the Spanish
squadron in column was just outside abe
entrance of the harbor of Santiago, head
ing about southwest.
THE Spanish squadron consisted of the
Maria Teresa (iagship), Vizcaya, Oquen-
do and Colon. and two torpedo destroyers.
We opened fire on the leading ship in five
minutes from the discovery
'Third-The port battery was first en-
gagged as we stood with port helm to head
off the leading ship and giving them
raking fire at about 1900 yards range.
The enemy turned to the westward to
close into land. We then wore around to
starboard, bringing the starboard battery
in action. The enemy hugged the shore
to the westward.
"Fourth.-The Brooklyn leading was fol-
lowed by the Texas, Iowa. oregon, Indiana
and Gloucester The Vixen, which had
been to westward of us on the blockade
ran to the southwark and eastward of us
and kept for some time off our port side.
distant about 1000 yards, evidently intend
ing to guard against torpedo attack upon
this ship; the shell passing over us fell
very thick about her, some passing over
her AT this time the firing was very fast
.,g af,a gra M a
our escape with SO little injury was mirac-
ulous, and can only be attributed to bad
Workmanship on the part of the enemy.
The Maria Teresa, which had dropped
astern while we were wearing, under the
heavy fire of our fleet. ran ashore.
"At about 1855 a. m, the Vizcaya was
seen TO be one fire and the Colon passed
inside of her with increased speed, took
the lead and gradually forged ahead.
1.-The Vizcaya soon after ran on the
beach, abaze with fire
1--WE sigualled the oregon to cease fir
ing on the Vizcaya as her flag was down.
Firing Immediately ceased and we both
continued the chase Of the Colon, now
about 12000 yards away. The ranges ran
from 800 to 5000 yards with the ViZcaya
rs she kept in and out from the coast.
I'VE steered straight for a distant point
near Cape Cruz, while the Colon kept
close to the land. She could not have
come out without crossing our bows and
we were steadily gaining on her.
1--WE were getting more steam all the
time and now had four and one half boil
ers on and the remaining one and one-half
nearly ready.
IS. The Vizcaya Oquendo and Colon
continuing on and gaining In distance;
the Brooklyn was engaged with the three
leading ships of the enemy, which were
forging ahead, the Texas, Iowa and In
diana keeping up a heavy fire, but stead
lily dropping astern. The oregon was
keeping up a steady fire and was coming
up in the most glorious and gallant style,
outstripping all others. 1t was an inspir-
ing sight to see this battleshp with a
large white wave before her and her
smokestacks belching forth continued
puffs from her forced drafts. We were
making fourteen knots at the time and
the Oregon came up off our starboard
quarter at about 800 yards and maintained
her position, though we soon after increas-
ed our speed to fifteen knots, and just be-
fore the Colon surrendered were making
nearly sixteen knots.
g. The Oquendo soon dropped astern,
and, on fire, ran ashore. The Vizcaya
and Colon continued on under fire from
the Brooklyn and oregon. The other yes
sells of our fleet were astern and out Of
range. The Texas was evidently coming
up fast.
~. After running for about fifty miles
west from the entrance the Colon ran into
q hight Of land beached, fred a gun to
leeward and hauled down her flag The
Oregon and Brooklyn had Just previously
begun to fire upon the Colon and were
landing shells close to her
Il was sent on board by Commodore
Schley to receive the surrender. The cap
tain spoke English and received me pleas
antly though naturally much depressed.
He surrendered Internationally He was
polite. shook hands and said that his case
was hopeless, and that he saw we were
too much for him. 1 was on board about
fifteen minutes. AS we came from the
Colon the flagship New York came In
with the Texas. reported on board the
flagship to Rear Admiral Sampson. l
stated to him that / believed the Colon
could be gotten off the beach.
"s. During the entire action / was in
constant communication with you 50 that
/ was enabled to promptly execute your
orders and instructions. The officers and
crew behaved with great end uncxcep-
tfopa tia coolueeg and bravery so that Il