The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-20
WAS WITH DEWEY.
Only Worcester Man
On the Olympia
Returns.
A GRAPHIC STORY.
Gunner's Mate Osterburg
Tells eff Manila
Battle.

i With all sails set, the only Worces-
ter representative at the battle of Ma
Mia rolled into this city last night in
the person of Second Gunner's Mate c.
H. Osterberg of Admiral Dewey's flag
ship Olympia. Gunner Osterberg
arrived with the battleship Raleigh in
New York harbor Sunday night.
He participated in the ceremony of
lowering the colors at Grants tomb and
the subsequent parade when all New
York city worshipped the heroes of the
great Manila bay battle. Being desir-
Gus of seeing his folks who reside at
Stowe place, corner of Chester street,
he obtained leave of absence and came
to Worcester.
His trim figure as he walked or rather
rolled up Front street in his natty uni
form of the "jacky," attracted great
attention, but the magical words u.
S. S. Olympia" on his hat band were
the cause of everybody stopping in the
street to gaze on one of the heroes of
| Manila.
Osterberg bore his honors modestly
and when questioned of the part ne took
| in the great battle, he modestly dis
| claimed any credit
When seen by a Spy reporter, Gum
ner Osterberg was at first inclined not
to say anything. He admitted that he
was entitled to share in the honor of
whipping Montojos Spanish fleet and
also said that to the best of his belief
he was the only Worcester man who
could share that honor.
He tells an interesting characteristic
story of the battle, and sailor phrases
add picturesque tenor to the CONVEX
sation. He said: II was the second
gunner's mate on one of the eight-inch
guns in the after turret on board the
flagship Olympia, which was command
ed by the now highest ranking naval
officer Of the greatest navy of the
world. Admiral George Dewey.
Shortly before the humiliation of
Montojos fleet, and few days after
we had learned Of the declaration Of
war by this country, we left our an
chorage at Hong Kong, China, and pro-
ceeded to Manila. Before leaving Hong
Kong we were aware that some order of
grave Importance had been received by
our commander by the war prepara-
ton. in progress.
THE entire fleet was painted a dull
gray and the vessels put in the best
possible condition for battle.
'At the first streak of dawn the flag
ship Olympia led the North Pacific
squadron into Manila bay. At dawn
we broke our battlefags, or unfurled
our colors and then virtually gave the
challenge to the Spanish fleet. Imme-
diately the ten-inch Krupp guns of the
Lunnata fortress opened fire upon our
fleet. It's fire was directed against our
| flagship, as they well knew that the
progress of the battle would be directed
from our vessel.
1.-The flagship Olympia was the first
American vessel to be fired upon by
the Spaniards during the war. We were
not allowed to answer their fire, how |
ever, until we got well within range of |
their guns, and then we did let go. The !
after turrets of the Olympia fairly |
shook by the succession of shots fired |
and oftentimes we had no idea of how
that battle was going, owing to the |
amount Of smoke arising from the guns
on the decks. In all we were struck 13
times. an unlucky number, but it didn't |
prove so in our case. How many times
we sent our projectiles into Montojo's |
vitals l am unable to state.
I'VE continued fighting all the morn |
ing and about six desisted. Many rea-
sons have been offered as an answer to |
the unusual proceedings, but / am I'M
able to state just why this move was
made. We did have an excellent appe- /
lite and did justice to our breakfast |
We recommended the fight and soon |
discovered that Montojo's fleet was in |
flames. That gave us renewed courage |
and with the determination to win we 1
settled down to sink the Spanish fleet, |
when Montojo decided to surrender.
My time had run out about that (
time, as did several others of the boys,
but that did not trouble US, for we were
for Uncle Sam first, last and always.
When it was decided to send the Raj
eigh home, all those whose time was
overrun were given permission to re-
tt1rs ha IL
mand of Captain Coghlan.
when we left, on December Il" said
Gunner Osterberg, in answer TO a ques-
ton in regard to Admiral Dewey's
health, "our gallant commander was in
the best of health. l am inclined to be-
lieve that the stories told of his being
failing in health are exaggerated.
Would Dewey be elected president?
Well, if he depended upon the votes Of
the North Pacific squadron, no one else
would be allowed to run. Yes, sir,
Dewey is all right; everybody on board
his squadron voiced that sentiment:
both before the battle Of Manila and
after.
MY commander on board the Ra
leigh says Capt. Charles V. Gridley
was one Of the bravest sea dogs that
ever donned a naval uniform. He died (
after the battle of Manila in Colby.
JapaD, and his remains were cremated
L
Coghlan- next Saturday and will I'M
doubtedIy receive my discharge with {
the extra pay of one-fourth wages for s
the eight months overtime l have
served"
Second Gunner's Mate Osterberg is a
typical sailor of the United States
navy, clean cut, light complicated, with
a rudy acolored face. He looks the
sailorman he is. He helped big Navi-
gator Mitchell. the only other Worces-
ter man aboard the Olympia, TO a hos
pital in Shanghai before the battle of {
Manila was fought. Navigator Mitchell 7
afterwards died before the war was {
over.
Gunner Osterberg has many pleasant {
recolIectfons of Worcester having lived J
for a. great many years and attended
school here. He visited The Spy Office
last evening and was delighted with the
admirable cOnveniences Of the office,
and Ikened it often to that Of the sail ]
or's pride, his vessel, the flagship Z
Olympia. j