The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-13
HOW DEWEY TOOK MANILA
Story Of the GIOrioas Fight Told
AsaiT.
MARVELLOUS EFFECTIVENESS OF
THE AMERICAN GUNS.

An Eve witness Again Repeats the Story
of which Americans VIII Never Tire of
How We sunk the Spanish Fleet OFF
Cavite.
Especial correspondence of the Asso.
cisted Press. Copyright, 1898, The
Associated Press.)
Manila Bay, May 4, via Hong Kong.
May lO.-With decks cleared for action,
guns shotted, crews all at quar- tors and
eagerly perrin gthrough the port holes,
Commodore Dewey, having previously
made signal to follow, the flagship
headed for the entrance of Manila bay,
between the batteries of the island of
Pulo Caballo and 81 Frailo, at 10 D. M.
on Satur day night last, April 80. Here
were the guns that were to blow us out of
the water and the much vaunted torpedo
mine field that was impossible to pass
over without skilled pilot.
AT i0.2Oa signal light and a gun on the
beach announced that we had probably
been seen. The night was bright moon
light and unfavorable for us but the dark
green paint and the inky darkness on
board ship prevented any estimate of our
character being made. The Olympia and
Baltimore slipped through unseen by the
gunners at Ell Fratlo, but sudden roar.
flash, and an eight inch she'll whistIed
over the Rale,gh and exploded close
along side. The ball was opened and q
five inch shell from the Raleigh broke the
silence of the American feet The course
and speed of the squadron was not
changed. Three more shots were fired
at the Concord and Boston and they vera
promptly replied to after which the fleet
was out Of range. Speed was then slack
ened and the column headed up the bay
for Manila, 30 miles distant.
The American ships skirted the CITY
at early dawn but the Spanish fleet was
not there. Soon afterward it was dis.
tinguished drawn up in line of battle, off
the strongly fortified arsenal of Cavite.
seven miles from Manila. The signal
Prepare for general action and close up''
was hoated from the flagship Olympia
a nd in unison bugle and drum called to
and stripes waved out from ever mast
head and gan Of the six ships of the
squadron as the Olympia headed for their
line Of battle.
Our formation was in column, 400 yards
apart with a speed OF six knots.
The fullness OF the day revealed the
Spanish fleet of nine vessels, the Rina
Antonio D'Ulloa, Island de Cuba, Isla
de Luzon and four small gunboats. The
Spanish mail steamer Mindano was also
in line having been hastily fitted wi tn
guns. Each end of the Spanish line was
protected by batteries of eight inch guns
on the peninsula of Cavite. The Castillo
was moored head and stern. The other
ships had steam up in order to be able to
retreat behind the mole and batteries of
Cavite to repair accidents and take breah-
ing SPELLS
The shore batteries opened on the
American ships long before they were in
range.
The American guns were silent until at
$500 yards when the Olympia swung
around her port broadsides and let her
drive her four inch turrets guns The
Baltimore Raleigh, Petrol. Concord and
Boston followed the flagship in success.
sion and opened fire as soon rs their guns
would bear on the enemy.
The engagement was general as the
Americans swept down the Spanish line
but was fought at long range owing to
our ships being kept away from the enc
my owing to shallow water. The modern
high power guns and the excellent gun
merry of the Americans soon showed its
effects while the Spanish shots either
fell short or flew wholly over them
Americans head.
The order Of the Spaniards being
reached the Americans turned shifted
their batteries and stood down the lii i.
til they were 50U0 or 2500yards. 1t is hartiy
conceivable 18th what rapidly and ac-
ouracy the American guns were fired. The
sides OF the Raleigh, which has battery
OF 10 i've inch rapid fire guns were in a
continuous sheet Of fame and the eight
inch guns of the Olympia, Boston and
Baltimore hurled an unbroken stream Of
s50 pound shells at the doomed ships of
the enemy.
Six times the commodore led the fleet
up. ana down the Spanish line after
Whlch the Americans hauled out to
breakfast but the victory had been won.
Inc Castllla was riddleG and burning.
smell GhIough the steam pipe of the
hlena christian showed she was In trou-
PIE Two hours later she burst into
flames and both ships were burned to the
waters edge.
The other Spanish craft had been
hanaled 50 severely that they retired be-
nina the mole of the navy yard. The
Mindano was beached,
one torpedo boat early in the fight
tried to slip out and attack the American
reserve squadron composed Of the Nc
Gulloch and the transports Nanshan and
zatiro, which had been left out of range
OF action. She had hardly made clear
her purpose when the small rapid fire
guns of all OF our ships were turned on
her on her and she was fairly blown out
of the water onto the beach.
At 1850 Commodore Dewey made signal
to retire in order to give the crews a rest
and breakfast. They had been standing
by their guns all night and had bye1
fighting them for three hours. The rest
was welcomed by all.
After breakfast at the council of war
it was decided to attack and DESTROY tho
shore batteries at Cavite. On signal the
Baltimore led the way. She ran I'm TO
within 200 yards reserved their oonosn
trated fire and literally smothered with
shells. The other ships quickly took their
places and within 80 minutes not another
shot was fired from the shore.
The Don Antonio D'Ulloa still tioated
the flag of Spain and fired few shots.
Her decks were soon swept of every living
soul and she sank riddled with she'll.
The work of tine big ships was over