The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-30
ON BOARD A FIGHTING SHIP.
incidents of the Raxing of Matanzas
FOrts-Grit of Our Tars

HOrts-Grtt of Our Tars.
NEW YORK, April 29.-The apparent de-
lay in the handling of some of the detailed
Associated Press reports from Key West is
wholly due to the fact that the cable facili-
ties are limited between Key West and
Jacksonville, and the time of the wires is
largely occupied in the sending of govern
ment messages, which take precedence The
Associated Press forwarded by it's staff cor
respondent on the flagship New York in
time for yesterdays papers a succinct ac-
. count of the engagement off Mantanzas,
which was handled with great promptness.
The full detailed story, sent by dispatch
boat from the flagship, off Havana yester-
day, was delayed in the handling at Key
West of government messages, and was
broken in the middle by crush of govern
ment dispatches. The remainder of the
story follows:
At Ills p. m. when the bombardment
was at its height, and after it had been in
progress for nineteen minutes. Rear Ad-
miral Sampson ordered cease firing to be
sounded A few shots rang out from the
Cincinnati and Puritan before they caught
the signal. On shore all was quiet. Not a
soul could be seen there, and there was no
more firing The earthworks a quarter Of
an hour before, had presented a fairly reg
ular outline, but now they had jagged ap-
pearances Big gaps were plainly visible at
Quintas da Racreo, but there was not a
sign of life there. Admiral Sampson had
effectually stopped the work on Punta
Gorda. He had drawn the fire of the enemy
and had discovered exactly the quality and
location of their batteries besides affording
the three ships good target practice. Incl
dehtally he had put the fear of American
in RI
been perfectly feasible for these three ships,
unaided. to have steamed past the fortifica-
tons right into Matanzas and taken it or,
shelled it at pleasure. The only risk would
have been from mines. However, Matanzas
was not wanted luckily for it. After salts
flying himself that his object had been ac-
complished, Admiral Sampson headed back
for Havana. The Puritan and Cincinnati
were left to look after Matanzas, and they
will see to it that Matanzas is not the scene,
of much fertilization work in the future
The readiness to assume this task can be
judged from the fact that shortly after the
signal cease firing had been given Cap
tain Chester asked permission to reopen
This was refused, Admiral Sampson evil
IDENTIFY thinking that Matanzas had had
enough for one afternoon.
During the bombardment theSNew York's
keeping a steady range of 1000 yards on
Punta Gorda and 1900 on Quintas da Re-
creo, the machinery working perfectly, not
only in the engine room, but throughout the
whole ship. This is especially true of the
electric ammunition hoists and turret train
ing gear, two of the most essential parts
of ships equipment during action. From
the naval point of view few if any lessons
were learned from the bombardment
though the range at which the shooting
fnE of
craftsmanship The distance however
prevented the staff from ascertaning the ef-
feet of the heavy explosive projectiles on
the earthworks Quintas da Recreo APP
peared to be an old-style fort low and lying
near the waters edge. The battery was
work.
From the lay, point Of view the lombard
ment appeared to demonstrate several
things. 1t proved that the officers from
Rear Admiral Sampson down. are perfectly
cool in the face of danger and action, and
that they have superior control over the
men at the most exciting and trying mo-
ments, and that the latter are as steady
and courageous when the guns roar and
the shells whistle as when they muster in
morning anu evening quarters in time of
peace. In the second place. the lombard
ment gave an, excellent. though at the same
time frghtful. illustration of a war ships
death-dealing powers. Had Il single ship
been in. the place where the shells fell ii
seems as if she would have been blowr1lto
bits before she could have returned the y
Are When a ten-thousand-ton shin us,iai-
~ as steady as rock, shakes and trembles
like frightened child when firmIy-settled
bolts start from their sockets and window
panes ana woodwork are shattered: when
the roar peals up from port and starboard
and YOU feel your feet leaving the deck and
your glasses jumping around your fore
head, while binding. backening smoke
hides everything from sight-then 1t is YOU
first realize the terrible power of a modern
war ships batteries.
Scenes OF intense interest occurred on the
fagship's deck during the bombardment
about the forward bridge where Rear ADJ
rniral Sampson paced up and down his long
glass in hand. pausing now and then to
watch the effects of the shots. impassive
as if at subcaliber target practice off the
Dry Tortugas. Captain Chadwick was at
his side in the dual capacity Of chief az
staff and captain OF ship. equally calm and
giving orders continuously regarding the d.