The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-04-26
1EflGG9T lN IIHEoIETlt)
ASpanish Midshipman's Thrill
ling Account of What
He Saw.
A RAIN OF PROJECTILES
The Havoc Wrought by American
Shells at the Time Cervera'S
Fleet Was DESTROYED.

The following account is given of the
action in which Admiral Cerveras
squadron was destroyed by Midship-
man Navia, of the Oquendo, and Of the
subsequent adventure he and few
survivors encountered in their success
full endeavors to make their way back
to Santiago. His story reads more
like chapter out of James Grants
novels than page Of real life, and
when relating his adventures Midshlp-
nan Nayia doubted whether they
would be believed, though he vouched
for the truth OF every word he said.
The narrative of his story has been
somewhat condensed below:
The flagship opened fire while we,
being the last, were still some way
from the harbor mouth, yet before We
cleared the entrance we got struck by
a few shells. l was in the forward
central torpedo room, and as, accord
ing to orders, the portfolios were shut,
I could see but little Of what was tax
ing place outside. We did not at once
use our torpedoes, for shortly after the
action began a heavy projectile crash
ed through the upper deck and destroy
ed the shield. near which was stand
ing. I was knocked down by the
force of the explosion, receiving
slight leg wound from fragment Of
the shell, while splinter Of the star
board gangway was driven into my
chest near to the heart. On recover
ing my feet I found that the starboard
torpedo tube was smashed and that
the deck was streWn with dead aud
wounded, a few Of whom were seeking
to go up the gangway, which was also
destroyed. Very shortly we all had
to clear out of the room, as it became
impossible to breathe there, owing to
lot Of material taking fire. I sunk
half clicked in the upper deck near the
starboard hatchway, but was revived
by some one turning hose on my
head.
On rising again I found myself close
to the second commander, Don Victor
Sola, who was encouraging the crew,
and Senor Nunoz, who put his arm
round me, exclaiming, They are max
ing man of you to-day" At that
moment heavy shell burst behind me,
small particles lodging in my neck and
behind my ear This shell killed Don
Co1o -r-dN fo11 1oSc
face without uttering a word. Right
across his body fell that Of First Gun
ner Don Cristobal. When Capt. Laz-
aga heard that the forward magazines
were ablaze he followed the lead OF
the Teresa, heading for land and run
ming the vessel ashore. When this
was being done I was in the forward
cabin whence two torpedoes were
launched at an enemy who sought to
cut US off. We left the battery and
went on deck, where several were
stripping preparatory to swimming
ashore. I went back to the torpedo
room and stripped. When got back
on deck my companions were gone, so
I got through the port-cannon embra-
sure and slipped down chain to the
water. Before going I noticed Capt.
Lazaga standing on the bridge with
folded arms, looking quite calm; near
him were several wounded officers. I
never saw him again. A Quartermas-
ter whom I met later told me he saw
Lazaga lie down near the forward gui
and shoot himself, being deaf to the
entreaties of the officers that he should
save himself. Many of the Oquendo's
crew were swimming around me, and
it took me twenty minutes to reach
land, as had to help some who could
not swim.
When I was landed was in my shirt
and drawers Twenty sailors gather
ed round me, and We went inland along
a narrow path that led toward a hill.
Observing a tree on which the fruit
had been recently bitten, concluded
it was by the mambises Spanish name
for the natives). and suggested We
should alter our route. Some, through
not hearing me, went on, and soon
saw the first man squat down, crying
to those behind: Look out; I am
covered by gun, and We are told to
halt" The man VINO held the gun or
dered us to stop till le warned his
party, and soon reappearod with cou-
pie Of negroes, armed with Mausers.
We were then ordered to go forward,
one by one; while the advance party
did so, We behind sided off into the
jungle, fleeing from the insurgents.
Those who went forward were Drained
by the insurgents, great number Of
whom were close at hand At midday
l found myself accompanied only by
an engineer and a marine of the Oquen-
do. We heard some terrific explo-
sions, and on gaining hilltop we saw
American boats saving the shipwreck-
ed crews. We were now overcome by
thirst, and sought rivulet, where we
might slake it. Fortunately We found
one, and, while drinking, were Joined
by stoker from the Vizcaya.
We followed the stream seaward and
came on a ma3go tree. the fruit of
which We ate. though it was still un-
ripe. While so engaged We heard
talking, and saw couple OF armed
nambises approaching. They had net
ooticed US. SO We hurriedly slipped in.
to the bush and began to climb hill,
from the top of which We could see the
ships still burning One was taken to
be an American. and my companions
burst out cheering, but quickly put
a stop to that lest the enemy should
hear us. Night fell, and we lay down
to try to sleep, but the cold was terri
BILE, and the noise of the bush, with the
attacks Of mosquitoes and land crabs,
combined to drive away slumber.
was doing off when large crab bit
nod