St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-10-11


The Battle of rlanila.
The Spanish Adniiraps Account of the
Fight.
In connection with Admiral Dewey's
arrival the Spanish story of the fight in
Manila Bay, as reported by Montojo,
the Spanish admiral ills revived as follows:
"At five, the batteries on Point Sangley
opened fire. The two first shots fell short
and to the left Of the leading vessel.
These shots were not answered by tine
enemy, whose principal object was the
squadron. In few minutes one of the
batteries of Manila opened fire and at
Sis made signal that our squadron
begin. The enemy answered. Immedi-
ately the battle became general.
1.-THE Americans fired most rapidly.
There came upon us numberless projec-
tiles, as the three cruisers at the head of
the line devoted themselves almost en-
tirely to fighting the Cristina, my flag
ship. A short time after the action COM
menced, one shell exploded in the forecas-
tie and put out of action all those who
served the rapid fire cannon, making
splinters of the forward mast, which
wounded the helmsman on the bridge,
when Lieutenant Jose Nunnez took the
wheel with GOODNESS worthy of the
greatest commendation, steering until
the end of the fight. In the meanwhile
another shell exploded in the orlop, set
ting fire to the crews bags. which fire
they were fortunately able to control
"The enemy shortened the distan be-
tween us, and rectifying his aim, covered
us with rain of rapid fire projectiles. At
100 one shell destroyed completely the
steering gear. Igave orders to steer by
hand while the gear was out of order. In
the meanwhile another shell exploded on
the poop and put out of action nine men.
Another DESTROYED the mizzen masthead,
bringing down the flag and my ensign,
which was replaced Immediately. A
fresh shell exploded in the officers cabin,
covering the hospital with blood, de-
stroying the wounded who were being
treated there. Another exploded in the
ammunition room astern, filling the
quarters with smoke and preventing the
working of the hand steering gear. AS
it was impossible to control the fire,
had to flood the magazine where the
cartridges were beginning to explode.
"Anidship several shells of smaller
calibre went through the smoke stack
and one of the large ones penetrated the
fire room, putting out OF action one mas
ter gunner and twelve men serving the
guns. Another rendered useless the star.
board bow gum while the fire astern in
| faI nfC t,r
another shell which went through the
hull and exploded on the deck.
"The broadside guns being unchanged
continued firing until there were only one
gunner and one seaman remaining un'
hurt for firing them, as the guns crews
had been frequently called upon to fur
nsh substitutes for those charged with
steering, all of whom were out of action
1.-The ship being out of control, the hull
smoke pipes, and mast riddled with shot
half of her crew out of action, among
whom were seven officers, gave the or
der to sink and abandon the ship before
the magazines should explode, making
signal at the same time to the Cuba ane
the Luzon to assist in saving the rest o
the crew, which thev did, aided by Others
from Duero and the Arson. abandoned
the Cristina, gave directions beforehand
to secure her flag, and accompanied by
my staff and with great sorrow hoisteo
my flag on the cruises Isla de Cuba. Al
termany men had been saved from the un
fortunate vessel one shell destroyed hel
heroic commander, Don Luis Cadarso
who was directing the rescue. The Uloa
which also rendered herself firmly, using
the only two guns which were available
was sunk by shell which entered at thu
water line, putting out OF action hel
commander and half of her remaining
crew, those remaining for the service o
the two guns Just mentioned. The Cas-
tilla, which fought heroically, remained
with her artillery useless, except ont
stern gun with which they fought spirit
edly; She was ridded with shot and SCI
on fire by the enemys shells then sunk
and was abandoned by her crew in goot
order, which operation was directed b,
her commander, Don Alonzo Algado
The casualties on this ship were 20 kllet
and 80 wounded. The Austria, YER,
much damaged and on fire, went to thu
aid of the Castillo. The Luzon had three
guns dismounted and was slightly
damaged in the hull. The Duero re
manned with one of her engines useless.
"At eight O'Clock in the morning TIT
enemy's squadron having suspended it
fire, ordered the ships that remained tt
us to take positions at the extremity o
the roads at Bacoor and there resist to
the last moment. and that they shoult
be sunk before they surrendered A
1890 the enemy returned forming cir
Gle to destroy the arsenal and the ships
which remained to me opening on then
horrible fire, which we answered al
best we could with the two cannon
which we still had mounted. There re
NAMED the last resource, to sink ou
vessel, and we accomplished this opera
ton, taking care to save the flags, thu
distinguishing pennant, the money in TIT
safe, the portable arms the breech plugs
OF the guns and the signal codes, afte
which went with my staff to the Con
vent OF Santo Domingo de Cavite, to b.