The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-29
and started ahead with the engine so as no, 70


The Americans fred most rapidly. There
came upon numberless proIectiles as the three
cruisers at the head OF the line devoted them
selves almost entirely TO fight the Cristina, my
flagship. short time after tho action com
menced one shell exploded in the forecasho
and put out Of action all those who served tho
rapid 1re cannon, making splinters OF the for
ward mast, which wounded the helmsman on
tho bridge when Lieutenant Jose Nunnez took
the wheel with a GOODNESS worthy Of the greatest
commentator, steering until the end OF the
Tight In the meanwhile another shell exploded
in the orlop. setting nre to the crews bags,
which fre they were fortunately able TO control
The enemy shortened the distance between
u.s. and rectifying his aim, covered us with rain
OF rapid fire proiec,ies AT 7:30 one shell de-
stroyed completely the steering gear. 1 gave
orders TO steer by hand while the gear was out OF
order. In the meanwhile another shell ex-
ploded on the poop and put out of action nine
men. Another destroy ed the mizzen masthead
bringing down the flag and my ensign. which
were replaced Immediately. A fresh shell OK
p'oded in the officers cabin, covering the hos
pital with blood, destroying the wounded who
were being trea ted there Another exploded In
the ammunition room astern, filling the quarters
with smoke and preventing the working OF the
hand steering gear. As il was impo ssible 70
'"h"oi ho hte' hau W hoou VIC mag oNiue "Aeh
the cartridges were beginning TO explode.
"Amidships several shells OF smaller cali
bre went through the smoke stack, and
ono OF the large ones penetrated the FIRE room.
putting out Of action one master gunner and
twelve men serving the guns Another rendered
useless the starboard bow gun, while the Are
asorn Increased: hre was started Toward oy
announcer shell when wont 'hrough tno null anu
exploded OH the deck
Inc btoaanoe guns oeing undamaeod' con-
hnued firing until there were only one gunner
and one seaman remaining unhurt for firing
them, as the guns crows had been frequently
called upon to furnish substitutes for those
charged with steering, all OF whom were out Of
action.
The ship being out OF control tho null, smoke
pipe ana mast riddied with shot, hall OF her
crew cut OF action. among whom were seven
omcers, gave the order to sink ana abandon
the ship before the magazines should explode,
making signal at the same time TO the Cuba and
the Luzon to assist in saving the rest OF the crew.
which they did. aided by others fromIuero and the
Arson. abandoned the Cristina, gave directions
beforehand TO secure her nag, and accompanied
by my stan and with great sorro" hoisted my
nag on the cruiser lsia dc Cuba After many
men had been saved IT ON the unfortunate vessel,
one shell destroyed her heroic commander, Don
Luis Cadnrso. who was directing The rescue
The Clloa, which also defended herself hrmly,
using the only two guns which were
available, was sunk by shell which
entered at the water line putting out OF
action her commander and half OF her remaining
crow. those remaining for tho service OF mo
two guns Just mentioned. Tho Castillo, which
fought herocaliy. remained with her artillery
useless. except one stern gun with which they
foug hi spirtcdy; she was riddled with shot
and set on fire by the enemy shells. then sunk,
and was abandoned by her crew In good order
which operation was directed by her commander.
Don AlonIo Algado The casualties on this
ship were 20 killed and 30 wounded The Aus
tria very much damaged and on fire, won't TO
the aid OF the Castillo The Luzon had three
guns disrnounte ted and was slightly damaged In
the null Inc Dhero renamed WIN ono OF her
engines useless, the bow gun OF IL centimetres
and one OF the redouots
AT O'Clock in tho morning, tho enemy
squadron having suspended its ere. ordered
the ships that remained to US TO take posiuons
at the extremity of the roads at Bacoor and
there to resist to the last moment. and that they
should be sunk before they surrendered At 1880
the enemy returned forming a circle to destroy
the arsenal and the ships which remained TO me.
opening upon them horrible hre. which We
answered as best we could with the two cannon
which We still had mounted There remained
the last resource TO sink our We sses, and We ac-
complished this operation, taking care 70 save
the flag the disting III shing pennant. the money
in the safe. the portable arms. the breech plugs
OF the guns and tho signal codes. after which l
went with my staff TO the Convent OF Santo Do
mingo de Savlte 10 DC curen OF a wound received
In the left leg and to telegraph brief report OF
the action with preiminares and results
Admiral Dewey's comment on the battle as 1t Is
| described by John Barrett In his book Admiral
George Dewey, Just publis he'd by the Harpers, is
as follows: In my iudg mentl should say that the
first lesson OF The battle teaches the Importance
OF American gunnery and good guns 1t con,
firms my early experience under Admiral Farra-
gut that combats are decided more by skill In
gunnery and the quality OF the guns than all
else.
| "Torpedoes and similar appliances arc good
| in their way but arc entirely OF secondary
| Importance
| 1.-THE Standards with their combined fleet and
| -, ., -, i; .,.J.- H.. A. ~
FORCES were equa' 70 us III sunpo"ue, ou' 'hey
were unable to harm us because OF bad gunnery.
| Constant practice made our Runnery d.s
| -. -. ~. u,,
| "ucu'e anu "on 'no ''e'oi''
The second lesson OF this battle is complete