The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-28

| chart. The Spanish guns had range
enough to drop shells alongside of the
Olympia up to 5000 yards, but no hits
were made by the projectiles from their
main batteries. Fragments of shells
flew on board, cutting the wire. fore
and main shrouds, signal halyards and
the forecastle deck, but no one was in
jured. The Olympia seemed to be rid
| died twice by small rapid-fire projec-
tiles, which failed to penetrate.
THE squadron was led across Cavite
bay near the five-fathom course, pass
ing three times from eastward and
twice from westward at varying dis
tances. The Spanish fleet was composed
OF the cruiser Reina Christina, bearing
the flag of the rear admiral; the cruis-
ers Castillo, Don Antonio de Ulloa Don
Juan de Austria, Isla de Cuba, Isla de
LuZon, the gunboats General Luzo,
Marquise del Duero and Cores and the
transport Isla de Mindanao. Several
large launches We're also lying off the
arsenal. The Spanish admiral shifted
the flag TO the Castillo. but soon re-
turned it again to the Reina Christina
and made desperate efforts to come out
side the line. but was stopped by the
concentrated fire of our ships.
AT 1:15 the Spanish fire had slack
ened and several of their ships were
seen to be crippled. The commander-in-
chief directed the squadron to stand off
shore towards the middle of the bay.
The shore batteries and those on the
southern suburbs of Manila kept up u
long range fire. The reason the ships
withdrew from the action was that it
was reported aboard the Olympia that
the ammunition was running short.
When it was ascertained that the am
munition was all right, the commander
in chief ordered the ships company to
have breakfast. The commodore then
made signals to the rest of the fleet to
send in the list of the killed and wound
ed. The reply from all but the Balti-
more was that none We're injured. The
Baltimore reported eight slightly
wounded. The McCulloch signaled that
the chief engineer had died at midnight
of overhead as they passed Corregidor
island.
"All We're wild with joy to think that
we hadn't lost man in the battle. The
Baltimore steamed up close to our ship
and the crew yelled:
What's the matter with the Olym-
pia? She's all right
THE crew of the Olympia cheered the
Baltimore and returned a similar sa
lutte. Such whistling and cheering. such
throwing of caps and hats and jumpers
were certainly never seen before in Ma
Mia bay if indeed anywhere else. All
the other ships saluted the Olympia in
Similar style. Inc crews OF all lne SHIPS
were hoarse for a week afterward. We
could plainly see the Spanish ships burn
ing, sinking and exploding. 1t was
terrible sight, but a grand one for us.
We all watched with a bowl of coffee
in one hand and bareback in the
other. We We're indeed joyful. We laid
down and had a smoke and a good rest,
which we much needed after our weary
night and exciting morning. But it was
NJ ThnSn forts which had
been barking all through our peaceful
meal hour had to be silenced.
AT 1915 a. M, after a conference
of all the captains on board the Olym-
pia, preparations were made for resum-
ing the action. The squadron stood to
the southwark, rounding off the Shang-
ly point batteries. The Baltimore led
the line and took up a position within
close range of Cavite batteries, which
We're silenced by her fire. The other
ships stood into Cavite bay and conf
pleted the destruction of the Spanish
fleet. 1t was found that a great guam
tity of explosives had been destroyed
by fire at the arsenal. These ships We're
sunk. The Reina Christina. Castillo,
Don Antonio de Ulloa, cruisers, and the
Isla de Mindanao, transport. The other
vessels were burne DION Juan de Aus
tria, Isla de Cuba. Isla de luZon, Y e.
lasco, cruisers, and General Luzo, Mar
quise del Duero, Ell CORES, gunboats.
The vessels afloat We're forced to lower
their colors and a white flag was run
up at CaVite.
Our ships gathered together at the
western end of the Bay of Cavite and
at 1910 p. m. the Spanish admiral sur
rendered. The Petrol, by orders of the
commander-in-Chief engaged in de-
stroying shipping at the naval station
of Cavite. The Concord also stopped at
Cavite. The rest of the fleet steamed
across the bay. The Olympia came to
anchor at 1:50 off of the lighthouse at
the mouth of the Pasig river and near
the city of Manila The rest of the feet
came to anchor nearby. About AIS the
Boston went over to Cavite and came to
anchor there about $50. The Petrol
then came over to US with several small
launches in tow. The captain of the
Petrol reported that he had burned sew
eral small gunboats and captured the
Spanish signal book. Several explosions
occurred on the burning gunboats. At
10:45 the Concord came over from Ca
vite with two Spanish officers on board
having an important message. They
were brought on board and had a con-
ference with Commodore Dewey
THAT was the close of the eventful
day. The days great work was done.
II must have been an awful day for the
Spaniards. Shells from our guns are
reported to have carried gun crew
after gun crew away from their guns.
II was reported that the killed and
wounded was about 1000. The Reina
Christina was completely riddled. An
eight-inch shell from our forward tur
ret struck her in the stern when she
was retreating and set her on fire. The
admiral had his flag transferred to the
Castillo, which soon went down. The
vessel burned rapidly and her maya
zines exploded. A wild cheer went up
from our squadron.
THE Olympia was navigated by
Lieutenant C. G. Calkins, whose record
as a navigator is unequaled. From the
time the ships stood in the outer en-
trance of the bay until the close of the
action Mr.. Calkins cleverly guided the
Olympia and noted the tactics of both
fleets The chart used in the battle was
completed and arranged by him. His
positions and range and bearings We're
so we'll established that each Volley
fired was on a special errand and the
shots We're landed in the most vital
places. In the vicinity of the arsenal
three magazines were exploded during
the action.