Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-07-14

OF the Iowa she came under the muir
derous fire Of the Oregon. At this tim,
the lnfanta Maria Teresa and the AL
mirante Oquendo, leading the enemy
column, were seen 10 be heading fol
the beach in flames. The Texas, Ore
soh and Iowa pounded them unm srci
iuliy They ceased to reply to the Gre
and in a few moments the Spanish
cruisers were a mass of flames and on
lhe rocks with their colors down, the
teresa flying a white flag at the fore.
The crews OF the enemy's ships
stripped themselves and began Jump
ing overheard, and one of the smaller
magazines began to explode.
Meantime the Brooklyn and the
Cristobal Colon were exchanging COM
pllments in lively fashion at appar-
entity long range and the Oregon. with
her locomotive speed, was hanging well
on the Colon, also paying attention to
the Vizcaya. The Teresa and the
oquendo were in flames on the beach
Just twenty minutes after the first shot
was fired. Fifty minutes after the first
shot was fired the Vizcaya put her helm
10 port with great burst of flame
from the afterpart of the ship and
headed slowly for the rocks at Accer-
aderes, where she found her last rest
ing place.
AS 1t was apparent that the Iowa
could not possibly catch the Cristobal
colon and that the Oregon and Brook
lyn undoubtedly would, and as the fast
new York was also on her trail. | de-
cided that the calls of humanity should
be answered and attention given to the
1000 or 1,500 Spanish officers and men
VINO had struck their colors to the
American squadron commanded by
Admiral Sampson. therefore headed
Tor the wreck of the Vizcaya now
burning furiously fore and aft. When
was in as far as the depth of water
would admit / lowered all my boats
and sent them at once to the assist
ance OF the unfortunate men. who
were being drowned by dozens or
roasted on the decks. | soon discov-
cred that the insurgent Cubans from
the shore were shooting men who were
struggling in the water, after having
surrendered to us. / Immediately put
a stop to this, but / could not put a
stop to the mutilation of many bodies
by the sharks inside the reef These
creatures had become excited by the
blood from the wounded mixing with
the water.
My boats crews worked manfully
and succeeded In saving many of the
wounded from the burning ship. One
man, who will be recommended for
clambered up the side Of
the Vizcaya and saved three men from
burning to death. The smaller maya
zines OF the Vizcaya were exploding
with magnificent cloud effects. The
boats were coming alongside in
steady string and willing hands were
,elping the lacerated Spanish officers
Ind sailors onto the Iowa's quarter
ieck. All the Spaniards were abso-
utely without clothes. Some had
heir legs torn off by fragments of
shells. Others were mutilated in ev-
cry conceivable way.
"The bottoms Of the boats held two
'r three inches Of blood. In many cases
lead men were lying in 1t. Five poor |
haps died on the way to the ship. |
They were afterward buried with mill |
airy honors from the Iowa. Some ex-
IMPLIES OF heroism, or more properly,
levotion to discipline and duty, could |
lever be surpassed. One man on the
'izcaya had his left arm almost shot
III just below the shoulder. The frag-
nents were hanging by small piece
4 skin, but he climbed unassisted over
he side and saluted as IL on a visit of
CEREMONY.
Immediately after him came a
sailor whose left leg
ad been shot off above the knee. He
7as hoisted on board the Iowa with a
ackle, but never a whimper came from
i'm. Gradually the mangled bodies
nd naked men accumulated until 1t
you'd have been almost difficult to
the Iowa as United States
Blood was all over her usually white
and 272 naked men we're
cling supplied with water and food by
hose who a few minutes before had
cen using rapid-fire battery on
hem. Finally came the boat with
apt. Eulate, commander of the Viz
ava, for whom a chair was lowered
yer the side, as he was evidently
ounded. The captains guard of ma
mes was drawn up on the quarterback
} salute him, and l stood waiting to
elcome him.
AS the chair was placed on the deck
lie marines presented arms. Capt.
ulate slowly raised himself in the
hair. saluted me with grave dignity,
nbuckled his sword belt, and, holding
lie hilt OF the sword before him, kissed
reverently, with tears in his eyes,
Id then surrendered it to me.
"Of course l declined to receive Il,
Id as the crew of the Iowa saw this
ley cheered like wild men. AS L
arted to take Capt. Eulate into the
bin to let the doctors examine his
ounds the magazines on board the