The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-02
TORPEDO BOATS
ATTACKED SCHLEY
Crept Out of Santiago Harbor in
the Dead of Night.
STOPPED IN NICK OF TIME
Two of the Searchlights of the Texas We're
Turned Upon Them and in the Next
Instant the GuDners We're
at Work

New York, June IA dispatch from Port
Antonio, Jamaica, says: The first engage
ment between Commodore Sch,ey's squad
ron and the Spanish ships of Cervera to- X
place Sunday night about midnight.
Two torpedo beats made desperate ef-
fort to destroy the American ships. They
were stopped in the nick of time owing to
the vigilance of the men under Captain
Philip, of the Texas.
The torpedo boats had cleared the har-
Dor, and were creeping along in the shad-
ow of the Castle Moro and the mount ain
at the entrance of the harbor. They had
Travelled two miles to the westward VIII n
the officer of the deck on the Texas sigh; ed
them through his night glasses.
Two of the searchlights of the Texas
were turned on them and the next in
slant the men who had been sleeping at
the loaded guns were aroused and at work.
Rushed at the Ships
The flashing of the lights told the Span
iards that they were discovered and they
made quick rush with all speed on to-
ward the Brooklyn and the Texas.
Before their bows had swung aroung
the crews of the port batteries OF the Tex
as were pumping steel at them. The rapid
fire guns were used.
The din of the guns of the Texas ala IN d
the whole fleet. The machine guns of the
Brooklyn were at work few seconds
after the Texas had started In.
The other ships were lying farther off
shore. The call to general quarters was
sounded on each of them in the belief that
all of Cerveras fleet was coming out in a
Or 4 q
were played on the waters by all OF the
ships.
The Texas and the Brooklyn poured such
a furious shower of small shells at the tor
pedo boats that the latter were forced to
turn about and seek safety in the harbor
What damage they sustained is unknown
Boats Sought Shelter
The torpedo boats took shelter under the
forts, and no attempt to pursue them was
made.
1t is thought that neither of them was
struck as they retreated quickly, ana they
made small targets in the uncertain twl-
light
The Spaniards did not discharge torpe-
does though they got within 500 yards or
the Texas.
The greatest vigilance is maintained at
night on the American fleet to prevent
inst such attacks as this one was. Schley's
ships have made examinations of the bat
teres and the channel, revealing much
stronger guns and mines than was suppo :
ed to exist. Four rows of mines have been
laid across the narrow entrance OF the har-
Dor.
Early this morning the Marblehead VEN
tn. ed to within two miles of the harbor,
and positively recognized the Cristobal
Coon and two cruisers the Vizcaya type
and the dismant'ed cruiser Rena Mercedes,
upon which guns have been mounted, max
ing her a floating fort
Two Unaccounted For
This leaves only two ships of the Cape
Verde squadron unaccounted for, but Com
modore Schley is absolutely sure they are
further up the bay.
Comm odore Schey does not anticipate an
attempt by Cervera to break out in the
face of superior numbers and armament.
Anxiety over the coal problem was a ay-
ed today by the arrival of two col iers con-
voyed by the New Orleans. The sea W s
smooth as glass. The Iowa and Brook yn
coaled in full view of the guns of the bat
teries. The other ships hal already c. aled.
The officers and men of the fleet are af-
fected by the intense heat. Every aperture
is closed at night to prevent the egress of
light. Officers and men sleep in the dark,
democratic fashion.