Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-07
SATURDAY OCT. Z, 1899
AS A SAILOR SAW 1T
SIZE WAS Ri THE MANILA FIGHT WITH
DEWEY.


The first intimation that any OF the |
men in the Asiatic squadron had of inn |
pending trouble came on the day after |
the arrival of the feet in Hong Kong. |
Commodore Dewey called for general !
assembly OF commanders on the dag
ship, and that always opens the eyes
of the jackies TO the fact that there Is
something in the wind. The next day
the men were all put over the side
with paint pots, and within twenty
-FOUR hours the vessels of the feet were
in their war garb, and the sailors knew
that at last they were in for serious
business. The sailors were delighted
at the prospect of fight, and worked
with great enthusiasm TO get the ships
into fighting condition.
Boats were sent ashore, bulkheads
We're torn out, and all super1uous
woodwork was removed from the in
terror of the warships. Some of the men
toward the last as Ii became evident
that we We're bent on lighting, became
SO excited that they could hardly con-
tain themselves. Patriotic songs re-
sounded all day long from the forecas-
ties of the different ships, and they
were not checked by the officers, either.
Even the apprentice boys were anxious
TO get q chance ut the Spaniards.
On Friday night, when we had
drawn near to the entrance OfManila
Bay word Of our destination and what
we might expect to find there was cir
culated among the men. Lights were
masked, and as the ships drew nearer
TO the entrance OF the bay singing and
loud talking were forbidden on the
warships. The squadron slowed down
as we neared the mouth Of the harbOr,
and for n time the men, who OF course
did not know what was in the minds
of the officers. thought that the feet
was going to anchor. There was conSe-
Quently much speculation as 70 wheth-
ser the Commodore was going 10 enter
the bay or stay outside, in the hope
shat the SpTniards would come out and
attack MS. Fhe latter theory was the
one most commonly accepted by the
men. as some OF the sailors in the ships
had been in Manila Bay in times OF
peace and knew how strong its natural
defenseS were. 1t made little differ
ence TO the men, however. which
course the Commodore adopted. as we
were not much in doubt as TO the out
come OF n fight.
Il amt very particular how this
blooming show is managed one little
Englishman in our ship said. $50 long
as get n blooming whack ut one of
them blooming Dons The only way TO
their vessels up against the side of q
rock, so that they can't run away"
And il turned out that was practical
3y what we did We got the word
from the watch officer ut o'clock In
Che morning OF the fight to keep our
selves ready for call. The dim out
Vines OF the shore of the islands could
We seen over our quarter even then.
and although the men off watch were
III II nj Il nv eoff
Vife sitting up and thinking. BY 4:30
<he ships had approached 10 within
shout ten miles Of the mouth of the
harbor. and men were piped to quar-
tiers. shall never forget the magnlf-
sent spectacle the fleet presented when
first came OIL deck.
AS the mon stood in their positions
ON board our ship there was sea rcely
one who spoke. Every man kept his
eye riveted on rho hnrhOr entrance. The
suspense as we steamed slowly through
the entrance to the harbor was in
tense.
~Win they spot us?" was the Ques-
Vicn on every ones tongue. After we
had got we'll into the mouth of the har-
nor IN the wake OF the Olympia and
the other vessels of the squadron. a
single flash of flame darted from the
side Of the battery on our port side
AOwed was so entirely unexpected that
most OF the men gave Il start Time
after time the forts fired upon us. but
our commanders held their fire obey
1nT instructions from the Commodore
until the signal. Engage the enemy,
was finally made on the Olympia. and
The gunners turned themselves loose
The men down in the magazines. real
Azing that silence was no longer neces-
they pulled up shells. The men at the
gums could hardly be kept behind the
shields, so intense was their enthusi-
assn.
In about half an hours time we had
passed into the bay and were safe from
xhe projectiles from the forts at the
entrance to the harbor. 1t was now
BROAD daylight. and down along the
wall which bounds the river front Of
she city OF Manila the Spanish ships
~c0uid he seen strung out in single col
Slun formation.
We continued our course up the har-
Oor, steaming to bell. the ships of the
squadron proceeding in single file The
flagship led the column, and as soon as
<he vessels had closed u7 along the line
20 the lighting ditance they headed for
zhe Spanish fleet. The Olympia opened
with her full battery, and the other
ssthDS Followed in turn as they steamed
abreast of the first ship in the Spanish
scOsumn. The S4aAiards got right to
work at their guns. and during the
first round gave US shot for shot. Their
craftsmanship was very poor how
ever. and not one OF their shells, so
Exr as saw, came anywhere near hit
ting rs. The men on our ships by this
&frne had got their stride and settled
down to business. When the Olympia
made the signal to cease firing for
the first round, the men were very
much disappointed
-.yVily. we've only Just got at themw
We were al glad enough to get n emp
OF coffee. however, and when. as we
steamed back into the firing line. we
cav the Spanish ships break into flame,
we knew that the day was ours. After
che tight, when we had once more with
llrarzn To- our former nosltion nm the