The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-19


angle. Her shots, directed at the north
side of the MORO, cut deep burrows in
the face of the Notifications
The Iowa, leading the fleet, delivered
her deadly missiles with great accuracy
upon Morros S northern walls.
The rest of the fleet fired in order,
first on MORO and then on San Carlos,
according to position.
On the second round the Spanish gun
ners were thoroughly awakened and
stood by their guns bravely, keeping up
Il furious but aimless fire. From their
firm foundation and high elevation they
had splendid opportunity to cripple
our fleet, but the Spanish gunners seem
cd to fire regardless of aim and as if only
DESTROYS of emptying their magazines.
From the Associated Press dispatch
boat we could see the American shells
fall among the forts and among the
troops of the garrison, raising clouds of
dust and causing fires to break out.
1t was hoped the Spanish fleet would
emerge from the harb0r as soon as the
firing began, and II feeling of deep dis
appointment spread through the fleet
when the lookouts reported the harbor
was clear.
At the end of the third round the
monitor Terror failed to understand the
order to withdraw, and engaged MORO
Castle alone for half an hour
As seen from the dispatch boat OF the
Associated Press. which occupied a
grand position, the squatty little moliitor
in tackling the towering fort was max
ing a magnificent display of daring. The
Terror moved in as il intending to run
the forts and the Spanish gunners evil
IDENTIFY became greatly excited at her be-
havior, for they fired rapidly and with
outs aim. The Terror was not touched.
The scene was intensely interesting:
but 1T was not so exciting as had been
expected. The Spanish aim was so
astoundingly bad that absolutely no
anxiety was felt for our ships. In fact.
when the Spanish forts fired volleys
which hid them in smoke, followed Il
few seconds later by the greyser-like
spouting and splashing not dangerously
near the Terror. dersive cheers went IN
from the colored crew of the dispatch
boat standing i'll her bow. The heavy
swells somewhat affected the aim of
the gunners of the Terror, for some of
her shells struck the sea i'm front of
the forts. Finally the Terror seemingly
grew tired, and slowly withdrew, firing
as she steamed away. Then the Span
iards became almost frantic with ex-
citement and blazed away at the moni-
tor until she was long out of range.
On board the Iowa boat was struck
and caught fire, an exhaust pipe was
dented. the bridge railing was shattered.
and three men were slightly wounded.
All this was done by the solitary shell
which struck the Iowa.
One shell. when exploded on the New
York, killed Il man. wounded four 9TH
ers, shattered two searchlights. splinter
ed a cutter tore three holes in ventila
tor and broke Il small dayit arm.
Pieces of this shell were gathered up for
souvenirs but thre were not enough to
90 around. The New York was hit
only once.
When the dispatch boat of the Asso-
ciated Press left San Juan for the is.
land of st. Thomas with the dispatch
describing the engagement, the fleet was
preparing to bury the dead In addition
to the man killed on board the New
York. Il gunner's mate OH the monito,
Amphitrite died from the effects of the
| heat
OF the New Yorli's four wounded men
only two were seriously enough hurt tc
call for their transfer to the hospital
ship Solace, WHICH subsequently Joined
the feet.
The New York fred $50 shots. il is
said, during the bombardment
The cable operator ut San Jua,
| cabled to the operator ut st. Thomas
early OH the morning of the 18th. an.
nouncing that vigorous bombarsmenl
Of the capital of Porto Rico was in
progress. adding that he was going u
| take to the woods. 1t is considered pro,
bable that the most of the inhabitants
of the place followed his example and
fled from the city soon after they were
awakened by the Iowa's first broadside
The only war vessel of a foreign power
at San Juan during the bombardment
was the small French cruiser Rigault de
Genouilly. She had her rigging cut by
pieces Of shell. After the lombard.
ment. the Freedman left for the island
of st. Thomas. where her commander
told Captain Converse. of the Mont.
gomery. that the American operations
We're entirely justifable. 1t is under
stood however, that the French officers,
in conversation with other people. criti-
ciZed the wisdom of the OInhardmpnt