The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-23

L Il yet a iSilutdNh d6eiiASA q ~ GilG We are
hauling off at four bells.
"Licked?" queried FLAGS.
Nope"
"wili the Spaniards give up?" asked
Dye.
Tommy hesitated before replying. II was
a brief lull and we We're resting at the
gun The crew, grinny, dirty battle-stain-
ed and tired, was glad TO lean against the
side Of the deck or a convenient stanch-
ion. Tommy's long service in the regular
navy as apprentice and seaman made his
opinions official, and we were always glad
TO listen TO his explanations.
win the Spaniards give up?' repeated
Dye.
Yes, and no." replied the first cap
tain, thoughtfulfy. you see. It's this way.
Those dagoes are not fools by any means.
They have selected good places for their
batteries and they know earthworks are
hard to destroy. They aren't like the old
style stone forts that could be knocked to
pieces in no time. When a shell, even
thirteen-incher, hits a mound of earth II
tears up the dirt and spoils the look of
the parapet, but it really doesn't do much
harm. To completely ruin an earthwork
battery, YOU must dismantle every gun ia
It. And that's pretty hard to do. Mark my
words, those fellows win give us a shot Of
defiance after we quit"
What's the idea of all this bombarding
ter caulking off, seems to me"
And think what IL costs the govern
ment," suggested THE value of the pro-
jectiles and the wear and tear to guns and
ships must be something enormous"
Tommy's answer was drowned in the
laundering roar of the New York's bat
terry, which opened fire just then a short
distance away but II was evident he
agreed with me. A moment later Number
Eight went into action once more, and we
worked the breech- loader without cessa-
ton until the conclusion OF the lombard
ment. which came a half hour later
The fortihcations ashore had entirely
ceased firing, and at 10 O'Clock a signal TO
stop bombarding appeared on the flagship
1t was obeyed with reluctance and 1t was
evident the crews of the various ships We're
anxious and eager to continue. As the fleet
drew off there was puff of smoke In one
corner of Punta Gorda battery, and shell
whizzed over the Massachusetts second
shot came from one Of the earthworks, ana
stin another from Punta Gorda; then the
firing ceased again.
Didn't tel you so,'' quietly remarked
Tommy. "The beggars amt licked yet"
But they got a taste of Uncle Sans
strength" said Flagg.
And I'll bet anything they haven
enough hole guns left to equip one small
fort" added Stump.
II heard the skipper say the destruction
of life must be enormous" spoke up the
Kid, stopping on his way aft TO deliver a
message. He watched the whole thing
with his glass. He told Mother Hubbub
the moral effect was worth all the trou-
bia."
That's an expert opinion" observed
Hay wiplng off the breech Of the gun.
Now you've had your little say, young
ster so Just trot along"
The fleet presently reached its former
station, several miles off shore, and the
bombardment of Santiago was at an end
No attempt was made to clean ships I'M
Ill late in the afternoon. The men were
permitted to lie around decks and rest
smoke and discuss the fight which they
did with exceeding interest. When dinner
was piped at noon the shrill call of the
boatswain's whistle was welcome music.
A sea battle is a good appetizer.
About O'clock in the afternoon the feet
was treated TO a spectacle both novel and
humorous The little Dolphin, a gunboat
of not fifteen hundred tons displacement,
which was keeping guard close in shore,
began to use her guns. A battery near
the channel returned the fire, but the
plucky little craft maintained her posi-
ton, and from the series OF rapid reports
coming from her four-inch breech-loaders
and six-pounders it was evident she had
something important on hand
The Yankee was sgnaled to run in 10
her assistance. but before we could reach
a position the Dolphin had accomplished
her task. 1t was not until then that we
discovered what she had been doing.
May ] never sec home again, If the
| gunboat hasn't corraled a railway train
! in cutw exclaimed Gunners Mate Patt.
| "Just look, there, fellows. See that ridge
of earth on the other side Of the channel?
Just under it Is a track running into a
cut and"
! no bnt ag
| interrupted Stump with a laugh. she's
! knocked down a pile of earth and debris
on the track and the train can't get out.
| What a bully trick"
Flagg produced a glass and after a
| careful scrutiny, reported that he could
see part OF the train lying on its side
! al the eastern end of the cut. He could
! also distinguish number of bodies, and
! 1t was plain that the Spanish loss had
| been heavy. IT was not until later that
| we learned the details, and they were
| humorous enough. tEhtA
After the bombardment. the Dolphin re-
NAMED at her station, firing occasionally
| al the batteries ashore. She was directly
| opposite a cut IN the cliff through which
| runs a little railway connecting iron
| mines with the dock in Santiago harbor.
| During the bombardment a train loaded
with Spanish troops remained in the cut,
| but at its conclusion the train attempted
10 leave. II was tHpifh ny Aiit lfolPlilii
| and driven back. II tried the other end,
with like results. and for an hour this
| game OF hide and seek was kept up to the
| discontinue of the train. While waiting
| for the train to appear at either end, the
! gallant little gunboat shelled a small
| blockhouse. and IN time disabled it. Then
she steamed back to the fleet and report
| ed that she had wrecked a train load
| Of troops and dismantled a blockhouse."
When she left for her station again she
was applauded by the whole squadron.
| We learned later that one hundred and
| fifty men we're killed on the train.
| Shortly after supper the Yankees whale
| boat was called away and sent TO the
| flagship, returning an hour later with
| sealed orders from the admiral.
At midnight we quietly steamed from
our station and passed out to sea destina-
| ton unknown to all save the commanding
J officer.
CONTINUED Next Week)
President Mckinley always wears a
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