The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-22

her slx-lnch guns. No damage was
done, and soon the silence Of night re-
turned and the squadron proceeded up
the bay, most OF the men sleeping be-
side their guns until daylight when
light breakfast was served.
When Manila Opened Its Eyes.
When Manila woke up that Sunday
morning (AIay y the American ships
lay seven miles west from the city, and
the same distance northwest Of cavite.
the naval station, of which the Spanish
fleet was at anchor. And they were in
a state of almost utter unpreparedness
mot a vessel had steam up, Montejo
evidently depending upon the land bat
terIes for protection until he, in the
usual Spanish way. decided to come
out and whip. the audaclous Yankees
At 5:15 o'clock the htst shot was fired:
1t came from one Of the Manila bat
/ terIes, and the shell struck the water
a mile from the flagship.
What followed, the InteIlIgencer,
through the courtesy of the publishers,
Messrs. Charles scribner's Sons, OF
New York. is enabled to give in the
Language Of John r.. spenrs, in 1.-THE
History Of our Navy" who says:
The air was motionless and the sea
n perfect level. The rose light Of dawn
had sufIused the eastern sky, but
faint haze in the dead air .curtaIned on
the spnnIards In tho little harboT at
cavite. so that they were wholly invis-
ible. But Dewey knew that they were
there tten fighting ships. besides trans
ports and two torpedo boats), and.
holstlng the old flag to the fore and
main peaks and the spanker gan, or
taftraiI stan, of every ship, he left the
transports with the Mecolloch in the
middle Of the bay, headed the Olympia
or toward the northerly end Of the bay,
swung her around in a wide arc toward
Manila on the east. and with his fight
ing squadron following him with the
precision OF tow on the great lakes.
he steamed straight at his anchored
prey. A signal at tbs yard arm read,
] .
"Flre as convenient"
While yet he was several niiles W. ".
the Spanish squadron appeared Win
cOlors up and the fierce little sunnets
in the Cavite forts began to firo their
big guns. The Spanish ships soon
Joined IN Dut Dewey nelu ,. On ~. W. WY
into that haiI OF steei "i'nos 80
while MS crews AT 'neir ~, guns W." VIZ
set teeth ana tue Atlll'e .t'At Ous - .s.
so often IN the races S mel ~ tI'
prize ring awaited tne WOF' !" 81
lence.
AZ last "heh lltle 'lOrs s'la I,.. W.
miles away iion Yrs ~ $500 =. ~.
SQUADRON the olympus smef. ~, ~ sHe
right 'westl. 50 as 70 i HISs tiie , 9 ~,
lards DroauSlae 70 proals an .S,"
turning 70 Tue 'up'"'" " ~ '''
dewey Suiu' !,
"You May Fire, 9ridley'"
"when you are ready you may IRE,
GrIdley." and Grldley passed the order
to tho eager gunners In the olympia's
forward turret
Tho two long elght-inch rifles there
were already trained on the Spanish
anpship. and us the order was heard
thew made quick reply. Two dRrtlng
flashes in the midst OF rolling cloud
N smoke were seen, and with a shlv-
erlpa roar the projectlles were hurled
nj the doomed spaniards.
"Almost instantly-lt seemed like an
ocbo-came the sound OF the guns Of
thc otbor sbips" OF the Yankee squad
ron II wns NJ exactly 5:s5 o'clock that
The arst guns on the Olympia were