New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-11
CAPTAIN MrRPHY's STORY.
Flasship North Atlantic Station. July IT, iNH
United states flagship Brooklyn.

FIaerhip North Atlantic Station July r. iS~
United States flagship Brooklyn
Guantanamo Ray Cuba. July g. 1875
Sir: /. I have the honor N submit the following
report OF the part taken nv Tho marine guard Of
this vessel on the "a inst IN the action which re-
rulted in the destruction ~ tho Spanish squahron
2 AT the moment tho alarm was given that the
enemys ships were coming out 81 tho haroor Inc
guard was At quarters. ready for inspection. II
was Immediately dismissed ana the men seht l"
their stations for battle.
The men we're fun OF enthusiasm. but there vns
no excitement disorder. and apparently TO CON
Germ for personal safety.
The battery was handled with admirable coolnes'
end derhcraton. Greater care could not he taken
IN re,t,ng sight. and aiming II tho men had been
=, target prar,ice and each striving 10 mako
record score.
Considering the fact that the enemy was within
effective range during the greater part q the
action the Are 81 the secondary battery must have
been most destructive TO his men and material
ond contributed rs full share n bringing tho bat
tla ~ an end so speedily and with 80 little loss 70
ourselves II Is reported that the Spanish of'cers
have stated that So deadly tho effect OF
secondary battery FIRE Il was impossible 70 kc.p
their men AZ the guns
g. Where all did their duty manfilly Il IS
difficult matter n select individuals for special
mention There some. however. who deserve
70 be brought 10 your notice by name FOR conduct
intelligence and devotion m duty.
During the early part ~ tho action a cartridge
TANNED IN the bora ~ tho sfarboard s-poUnder.
and IN tho effort 20 withdraw T. the case became
detached from the proiectile. leaving the latter
fast IN tho bore and impossible n extract from
the rear CORPORAL Robert Gray. NJ the port gun.
asked and received permission 20 attempt - drive
tho shell out nv means ~ n hammer To 10 this
n n 70 out on thu gun. and the
undertaking full NJ difficulties and danger.
the latter due IN great measure - the blast
OF the turret guns firing overhead. The gun
hot and Il necessary N cling to the Jacobs
Ladder with hand while end"avorirg with tho
other 70 manipulate the long hammer. After n
brave effort he forced 10 give up. and
ordered in. Quarter gunne- " " Smith then
came sent by the executive officer and promptly
placed himself IN the dnngerou, position outside
the gun port whore he worked and failed the
corpora, had done Neither had been able IN get
the hammer into the bore. and there seemed moth
ing left 70 do but dsmount the gun At this
juncture Private Macnea ono Of the crew. volun
tcercd 10 90 out and make nnal effort The gun
important. the starboard battery being
engaged. that as a forlorn hope. he was permitted
TO make the attempt. He pushed out boldly and
set TO work The guns ~ the forward turret were
firing the blast nearly knocking him overheard.
and the ensmy's shots were coming with frequency
into his Immediate neighborhood. 1t was Mt this
time that Chief Yeoman Ellis was killed on tho
his work Tho hammer finally placed I'm tho
bore and the shell elected. Tho gun was immcd-
ately put IN action. and Macneal resumed his duties
a cooly II what he had done were matter
OF everyday routine
The battle orderies we'll merit place among
those whose conduct IL worthy OF special mention
They the move constantly. bearing battle
orders to all parts of the ship and in instance
did they fail in the prompt and intelligent per-
Torrance OF their responsible duty. The signal
men occupied very exposed positions during the
action and rendered excellent service. Signal hal
yards and numbers. gatherings and speed cones
were ridded by small Drojectiles and fragments
Of bursting shell, casualties that show In what n
zone Of danger the signal men performed their
duties Signalmen Coombs and Mcintyre and Bat
tie Orderlies Rail and Davis Yeoman
Ellis when he was killed that they despatched
with blood.
The following are the names OF the battle
derlies:
To the flag oicer-Privates Rail and Davis.
To the commanding officcr-Privates Kelly Smith
and Sanjule.
To the executive oficer-Prvates Bremen G.
wismer and O'Donnen.
The flag orderly. Private Richmond. ard com
mandng oficers orderly. Private Woodsum.
deck and rendered good service.
The following the names Of the signalmen:
Forward-Privates Coombs and Mcintyre.
Aft-Privates Shaw and ALlearne.
The music boys. Drummer wcisenberg and Fifer
Stewart. were STATIONED on the main and the gun