The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-14
ASK S382,800 in BOUNTY
DEWEY AND HIS MEN WANT RE-
WARD FOR SINKING SPANS SHIPS.
Attorneys for the Heroes File Their
Brief in the Court of Claims-Dew-
ey's Share to BE $19,194.

NEW YORK, Nov. ia special to the
Herald from Washington says: ION behalf
of Admiral Dewey and his officers and men
Washington attorneys have asked the Court
of Claims to find that the amount of the
bounty due them is S3S2.S0O The deci-
sion Of the court will establish
precedent which will affect the amount of
bounty to be distributed among the officers
and men Of the North Atlantic fleet which
destroyed the squadron of Admiral Ger
vera. II the finding of the court is in ac
cordance with the request the admrals
share of the bounty will be $l9,194.
Attorneys base their case on the claim
that the defeated Spanish force was su-
perior to the American squadron. 1t is not
contended that the enemy's fleet was
superior, but that, taking into consideration
the guns at Corregidor, FL Fraile and
other forts at the entrance of the bay and
those at Manila and Cavite, which fired on
the American ships continuously, the
enemys force was superior. The batteries
comprised seventy-six guns, ranging in cali
bre from 9.4S inches to 300 inches. and their
weight of fire is computed at $3.50 pounds.
The enemy's vessels were also supported
by mines and torpedoes in the entrance to
Manila bay and the bay itself, and some of
these the brief states, exploded during the
action. The total number of men on the
Spanish fleet is given at 1878, but no claim
for bounty is made on account Of the Ma
Mia, which was captured comparatively
uninjured, or the Don Juan de Asturia, the
Isla de Cuba and the Isla de Luzon, which
were raised after sinking, and now in
the United States navy. The complement Of
the three latter vessels is 491. but that
| number must be doubled to reach the ac-
tual number on board, making 9S2, and to
this must be added the complement of the
Manila, total of 1,059. Deducting this from
the total Of 1913 leaves 1914 as the num-
Der. on board the DESTROYED vessels.
"A comparison of the American gun force
forces partly af1oat and partly ashore can
not be made, gun for gun, unless ii be &C
ceptcd that gun is equally efficient on a
vessel as on land. In making a compare
tive summary of American and Spanish
guns so per cent should be added to the
number OF shore guns, the attorneys con-
tend. The result is favorable to the Spanish
side, except in the guns from six-pounders
down, where there Is slight superiority
on the American side. The weight of gun
fire of the Spaniards was nearly double
of metal thrown in one round by the
American ships being $500 pounds, against
1906 by the enemy.
. 1t must be conceded the brief states
| that the entrance of the American fleet
under Admiral Dewey through a channel
mined with torpedoes and its manoeuvres
| in the bay where unseen dangers threatened
| every movement, required the highest de-
gree Of personal gallantry and heroism
These are not to be disregarded in constru-
Ing this statute 1t is argued that mines
should be counted as a part of SPANS eff.
| fective force. If mines are to be counted
the brief says, we can conceive of nc
| reasoning that will exclude shore batteries
| also engaged in aiding and defending in