The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-22
DEWEY'S SUIT.
Asks Pay For the Destruction
of Spain's Fleet.
Action In District of COlumbi
Supreme Court.
CLAIMS ARE $4,000.
Exhibits Show Lists and Values
Of Sunken Ships.
Curious Items In the Account
An Awl at 4 Cents.
CLAIMS ARE $4,000

Washington. D. C., July 22.-Proceed-
ings in the form of libel against the en-
tire Spanish fleet sunka at Manila,
all the supplies captured from the
shore defenses at Cavite have been insti-
tuted in the District of Columbia supreme
court by Admiral Dewey. through the ex-
secretary of the navy, Hilary Herbert, his
attorney. The court is asked to accept
the finding of the navy board of survey
that certain of the ships and supplies
taken are worth 1926, 141.S9; to determine
the actual value of certain other ships
and supplies not included in that report
and worth approximately 1925, 900; and to
award to the Hbelant and his subordin-
ates as prize money sum equal to the
value of all the fleet and supplies taken,
After noting the existence of the war
with Spain, the petition recites the cap
lure OF the protected cruisers lsla de
Cuba and Isla de Luzon, the unprotected
cruisers Don Juan de Austria, Leyte and
lsla de Mlndanao and other vessels, prop
erty and equipment, together with vari-
Gus miscellaneous stores from CaVlte ana
defense at Manila OF these supplies an
appended All sGe<s captures, continues
the petition, resulted from a battle
against the ships Of Spain and against
numerous mines and tOrpedoes." In adj
dition to the vessels captured the instru-
ment names the Reina Christina, the Cas-
Una, the Don Antonio de Ulloa, the We
lasco, the gunboats Leo and MARQUIS del
Duaro and the transport Argos as having
COMPARISONS
SeHerai Par4 ATT are DEVOTED to
The batteries protecting Manila, accord
weight of metal greatly in excess of that
which could be thrown by the vessels of
the guns for destructive purposes was
several times greater than that of the
lighter guns of the fleet"
The whole number of men on the Amer
lean vessels is given as 1886 While the
roll of those on the Spanish feet is not
accessible and the number OF Spanish sea
men cannot be learned, it is known to be
more tlItIl sou ne pettIlo.eI, mere
fore, believes and asserts that the com
bined Spanish forces in Manila bay were
greater than those of the United States.
The last subjects considered are the
ownership and value of the stores and
Of the property involved in the action was
taken for the United States and is now
iibeiant. a board Of survey was appointed
to appraise the value of the portion of
ing; Captain JOS. b Coghlan, Commander
Edward P. Wood, Lieutenant Carlos c.
Calkins and Passed Assistant Paymaster
L. Heap, recorder On investigation this
court found the value OF the goods cap
ever, many items of value not Included
such as the vessels Don Juan de Austria
were afterward raised, the guns of the
arsenal at Cavite and certain shore bat
ing and repairing the men-of-war speci-
fed the Hbelant believes their value to be
alton of this property has ever been
made, although the petitioner and his CO.
therefore asked to fix date and dis
trict" for the condemnation of that prop
erty and the adjudication of the title
therein now vested in the libelant and his
THE EXHIBIT.
Chief among the exhibits submitted is
the report of the board of survey, headed
by Captain COghlan. 1t includes items of
every conceivable sort-metal supplies,
rope, clothing, non-peris able food sup
plies. cabin furnishings. tools, steel bulls,
rigging. and musical INSTRUMENTS. The yes
sells taken are given the following yalua-
Rapido, IS. 500: Manila, $1,000: Isabella,
SO, 900: LIoylO, Sc 600: BarcelO. Sc. 500; CaVite
IS. 900; Ca.llao. 1000; Consuelo, 5000, and
Hercules, 81 600. Several steam launches
were also enumerated, their aggregate
value being $3.50. Near these items the
report notes 40 galvanized rings at &C
each; a fathom of rope. Toe; a brad-awl at
4c, and a triangle at 18c.