The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-26

A SHOT THAT MADE HAVOC.
EiGht-Inch She'll From the BaIH-
more Which Wrecked the Cristina.


more Which Wrecked the Cristina.
From the Baltimore Sun.
A letter dated July and sent to the
Sun from the cruiser Baltimore, now at
Manila says:
So much has been said in the public
prints about the eight inch shell from the
Baltimore in the battle of Manila which.
by the Spanish admirals statement, gave
the coup de grace TO his flagship the
Reina Cristina, that it may be interesting
to Baltimoreans to know that both the
officers who directed the firing of that
shot and the gun captain who pulled the
lockstring are Baltimoreans.
Lieut. Ellicott who commanded the
division on the Baltimore's forecastel, was
directing the fire of his heavy guns chiefly
upon the enemy's two largest ships, the
Relna Cristina and Castillo, but toward
the close Of the first engagement his gun
captain, Frederick Locke, turned to MIN
saying:
MAY I take the next shot at that gun
boat, sir" Indicating the Isla de Cuba)
"She is broadside on and makes a beauu-
Lieut.. ElHcott replied; mo; stick to
the flagship; we have got her range ex-
acuy.'
eyes, sir" replied Locke, but she is
nearly end on"
"AlI the better" said the lieutenant;
make il a good shot and you will rake
her fore and aft.
The Cristina, which had just had a
great hole torn In her stern by one of the
Baltimores 4-inch guns, commanded by
Ensign Hayward, which seemed to have
set her on fire, was turning slowly 10 star
hoard with her stern toward the enemy.
Tocke's aim was SO deliberately careful
that the suspense became painful. but at
last he fired and the fight of the shell
was watched by the guns crew WIZ
breathless interest.
seldom. perhaps. has a single shell given
such spectacular demonstration of its
devastation. PIunging through the jagged
hole already made in the iagship's stern,
the crowded air in front of the shell drove
flames from the fire already started in
bright Jets through every port and crevice.
Then followed a high jet of white steam
which told of the bursting Of the projecule
far down in the vitals of the ship. Every
man who saw that shot from the Balti
mores forecastle rushed TO her side and
yelled with exultation.
Admiral Montejo says of It.: THE Girls
tinas steering gear was disabled by a
shell which also cut the steam pipe leading
10 the condenser. The ship WAS then on
fire at both ends. and I called the Don
Juan de Austria and transferred my flag"
According 70 this statement the shot
must have plunged through the doomed
ship from the stern to the engines. The
Cristlna never returned TO the fight, but
drifted aimessly on toward the walls Of
the arsenal till she grounded and there
burned and blew up.
Frederick Locke chief boatswain's mate
has spent his life on United states nFn-of-
war. but his domicile IS Baltimore, where
he has a sister, Miss Annie Locke living
az 1910 East Pratt street Lieut. John NJ
Fncott Us q son of James r. EHicott Of
Baltimore, and nephew % the late Gen.
John Eliicoti. who was a lieutenant colonel
IN the Confederate army. and afterward
Of the firm OF FaHon a Eilicott, archi-
tects Locke and his divisional officer are
each thirty odd years " age.