The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-11
AS SEEN FROM THE VIXEN.
Still Another Account of the Fight
with Cervera's Fleet.


Copyright 1898. by the Associated Press)
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July s, via
Port Antonio, Jamaica, July 8, p. m.-Fol-
lowing is the official account of the engage
ment with the Spanish squadron as seen
from the United States steamer Vixen: At
9:45 a. m. the quartermaster on duty report
ed that a tug was coming out OF the har-
Dor. Examination proved the vessel to be
a Spanish cruiser flying a large Spanish flag
and a smaller flag at the masthead, which
was thought to be the admirafs flag, as 1t
was on the leading ship. The Vixen at this
time was lying about two miles off shore
and four miles westward of MORO Castle,
and from this time to the end was never
out of sight of the chase and was within
two miles of the destruction of the three ar
mored cruisers
Word was at once sent to the commanding
officer and all hands were called to quarters.
Full speed was ordered and the helm was
put to port to stand farther off shore and
leave the Brooklyn's fire line unobstructed.
The Brooklyn had hoisted a signal that the
enemy was attempting to escape, and the
Vixen, noticing the leading ship was turning
to the westward, signaled that the enemy
was attempting to escape in that direction.
The fleet at tins time had resumed its sta
ton, and the vessels began rapidly to close
in towards the mouth of the harbor, con
centrating a terrible long range fire on the
enemy
There was no doubt that the enemy was
coming out. There were several anxious
moments before it could be determined
whether the Spanish admiral would order
his fleet to dispense and attempt to break
through the blockade, or would keep mis-
ships together. The leading vessel had
changed her course to the west when a Sec
ond vessel appeared, followed shortly by the
Cristobal Colon. The Colon was easily iden-
tilted because her mast was between her two
smokestacks. The other ships could not so
easily be identified as the Vizcaya, the AL
mirante Oauendo and Infanta Maria Teresa
had the same appearance.
THE BROOKLYN STARTS NORTH.
Meanwhile the fleet approached the mouth
of the harbor, and when the fourth vessel
appeared and turned to the west it became
evident that Admiral Cervera had reconnoi-
tered the field and selected the west as the
weakest part of the blockade, because the
strong eastern current had drifted the heav-
lest ships to the east of their customary
positions The western portion of the block
aiding circle was defended by the Vixen and
the BrOOklyn. Inc BrOOkiYn nedueu Hortli,
apparently intending to intercept the read
Of the enemy column. - -, ,
column appeared the western battery
opened a heavy fire. apparently directed at
the eastern and central ships or the block
aiding squadron At 10 a. m. the Brooklyn
was nearest and engaged the two leading
shins which were close together, with an
interval of three-quarters of mile between
the second ship and the Cristobal Colon. AT
io.05 the Brooklyn turned with port helm
making a complete turn to the east SO that
She was again heading west. The enemy's
leading ships were on ner starboard quar-
ter and the fourth vessel was coming up
astern rapidly AT this time the Vixen was
west of the leading ship and was steaming
on parallel course. For the next fifteen
minutes the Brooklyn received and returned
the fire of the two leading ships and an
occasional shot from the Cristobal Colon.
At 1880 the chase was we'll formed. the
positions being as follows: The enemy's
ships IN column between Cabanas and
Guayacabon, the Brooklyn steering par
alIel course mile distant. with the Oregon
two miles southeast. The other American
vessels were obscured by the smoke. AT
1888 tho Colon and the leading ships or