The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-16
THE BULLDoG OF THE NAVY.

z After sending the vizoaya to her doom
we started on our long chase after the
swift Colon. We had stopped firing, on
account of the long range, but the guns
were all ready for business. 1t was
now noon, and we sent one watch below
to dinner while the other watch, remained
at the guns. Our men were wild with
enthusiasm, and throughout the fight their
cheers were ringing through the ship.
One incident seems significant. just
after firing the shot which caused the
Vizcaya to keel over the men in the first
division whose guns would then bear
upon the enemy, seemed completely
moment became forgetful of their work.
1t was then that Lieutenant Eberle said:
Remember the Maine, and load quickly.
We have the Vizcaya going" These
words Gained the excited crew. the
thirteen.inch gun was quickly and silently
loaded, and that was the shot that COM
pletely destroyed the Vizcaya and killed
eighty Spaniards The Maine had been
remembered.
S..As the Oregon steamed away after the
Colon. making the greatest chase in his
tory, nearly all of our officers and crew
were assem- led on deck in the forward
part of the ship round the big turret, for
odly the guns of this turret could reach
th fleeing enemy. Captain Clark was
standing on top of this turret, watching
the chase Lieutenant Eberle asked per-
mission to open hts guns on the Colon.
but Captain Clark told him to wait until
he got nearer. Finally the captain Gang
out: "Eberle, you can try shot at her. "
The lieutenant aimed very deliberately,
and then let drive with one Of his thirteen
inch guns. A mighty cheer went up from
800 throats as the big shell struck just
astern of the Colon, nearly five miles
away, and enveloped her in a cloud OF
water. ''Give her another one, Eberle,
yelled Captain Clark, and the other big
gun blazed away, and again loud cheers
rent the air AT the third shot Lieuten-
ant EberIe increased his range and
dropped a 1l00-pound she'll right under
the CoIon's bow. and the Spaniard took
fright and headed for the beach. Our
crew nearly went wild as they danced.
yelled and Rugged one another. The
next shot struck under the Colon's stern
and down came the Spanish flag In sur
render. That was just at Liz p. m.
CAPTAIN CLARK yelied hD6rieb Cehs5 LIT.
ing; she has surrendered ~ And the lieu.
tenant who had done such remarkable
shooting. climbed out of his turret to get
a breath of fresh air.
Captain Clark patted the young officer
on the back additionally. and congratu-
lated him upon the excellence of his work.
Then. while the gallant captain of the
Oregon and the gallant commander OF the
first division stood on top Of the turret.
the 500 lighting men of the great battle
shin gave three mighty cheers for Captain
CLARK and then three cheers for Mr.
Eberle. The young lieutenant was bare
headed, in his shirt-sleeves, and all COW
cred with powder. smoke and grease, and
when the Oregon's brave crew so wildly
cheered him he hurried back into the
turret to conceal his emotion. There he
was met with cheers from his own gum
crew. The Oregon's band was soon on
deck playing 'The Star Spangled Ban.
ner. " and more exciting scenes than these
are rarely witnessed. The captain of the
Colon said tho Oregon's big guns caused
him to surrender, and the Spapiards
smoke of the Oregon as the "XaDkee
deyil' which forced them to yield. =
From an "Orego1" Officers STORY Ill
Leslie Weekly.