The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-26

had been called TO quarters, about 9;5O
o clock. The ship was lying at that time
with her head in toward the line in the
direction of Cabanas, a little cove to the
westward and one of the marking points
we used in maintaining our position. L
looked over the starboard side and saw the
enemy coming out of the entrance OF the
harbor. / looked eastward to see the order
of the ships. j saw the Texas apparently
a point or more abaft the starbOard beam.
The Texas appeared to me TO be heading on
some one of the eaSterly courses. TO the
left Of her was the Iowa. The oregon was
20 the eastward of the Iowa. The Indiana
vas to the eastward of that position and
the Gloucester was lying in under the land.
The New York was out of sight and out OF
signal distance with glasses. looked Ior
her in order TO determine what my posi-
ton in the action was TO be. OF course, II
the New York had not been out or distance,
IL would not have given or made signal.
l had in the meantime gone forward on
little platform that / had had constructed
around the battle towers as my position In
the fight. l had only been there moment
or two when Captain Cook Joined me. In
the meantime Mr.. Hodgson, who was on
the upper bridge, sang out something 10
the captain about being connected up and
all ready. He, at the same time, said TO
me, Commodore they are coming right
at us, 80
the helm was put apOrt The snip was
started ahead first at half speed. L re-
member that 1t took her away very quick
~, and said to Cook: Here's the signal
nal, Close up and the Brooklyn as well
as all the other ships. charged in for the
entrance according to the original plan. we
all moved directly. for the head of the col
umn, the idea being to arrest and knock
them TO pieces as they came on.
SPANISH PLANS FAILED.
eve continued on her course for ten or
twelve miles," he said, land 1 saw all the
ships of our fleet closing in One thousand
yards is the limit of effective torpedo
range, and, as we were approaching about
that distance, 1 mentioned something of
that sort to Captain Cook, at the same
time saying to him, Much will depend on
this ship to-day Cook replied that he
would soon be within the cross fire of the
ships. L saw Lieutenant SIMPSONS first
shot, and then l saw the first vessel in the
Spanish line take a rank sheer to the west
ward, leaving the Viscaya coming straight
on. Then the latter also turned TO the
westward. 1t was now apparent that the
original plan of the Spaniards had failed,
and they were now entering upon the sec
ond phase. and that their new disposition
would control their subsequent course Cap
tain Cook now gave the order to port the
helm. II ne had not done so should IN
minute, and l said TO him. Is your helm
aport? and he replied, 1t is aport or hard
apOrt, | think the latter. "
Coming 10 the turn of the Brooklyn, Adj
miral Schley, speaking steadily and clearly
and never hesitating for word, said he
had never seen a ship turn more steadily.
The turn he said, was absolutely con-
tinuous. There was no easing of the helm,
and l never saw the starbOard side of the
Texas. | am sure we were never nearer
that vessel than 600 yards. We were so dis
tant that never had any thought of dan
ger in connection with the Texas He
said the closest range given was 1000
yards I'VE were so close" he went on,
that | remember L could see men on the
Spanish ships running between the super
structure; L could even see the daylight
between their legs.
During the turn Lieutenant Commander
HodgsOn very properly made the observa-
ton that we should look out for the Texas,
but there was never any cOlloquy between
us; never any cOlloquy of any character be-
tween HOdgson and myself; first because
he was too good an officer to have so trans
crossed, and, second, because if he had un-
deTtaken TO do so l should have repri-
| manded him. That incident is fiction. 1t
never occurred"
ROAR OF THE PROJECTILES.
At this point the admiral said the leading
one of the Spanish ships was on the Brook
lyn's starboard bow, and not only that all
the enemys ships, but the forts as well,
were firing apparently at the Brooklyn at
| that moment, and the next five moments
were the most serious of the combat, he
said, and he told how the jets of water were
seen on all sides, and how deafening the
noise of the guns. 1.-The roar Of our proiec-
| tiles" he said was such as can only be
heard once, and once heard can never be
| forgotten. All four of the Spanish vessels
were firing the Brooklyn, and none of
| the Spanish vessels at that time showed
any injury. Then the thought passed
through my mind that they might get
! away, and L feared we should have most of
the fight, as L had not thought, up to that
| time, that the battleships would be effec-
| tive in chase. l said to Cook that we
would stay with this crew.
Telling. Of the coming up of the Oregon
| during the chase Admiral Schley said ne
had never before realized that such rapid
| fire was possible as was emitted from these
| two vessels. Both looked to him, he said,
| like sheets of flame.
When the Maria Teresa went ashore the
| admiral said he instructed Captain Cook to
| notify the men below and keep them in
! formed of the progress Of events. They
can't see what Is being DONE" he said TO
| Cook, "and they want TO know The cap
tain had Obeyed this injunction and the
| messages were received with cheers from
| below.
Describing the going ashore of the Span
! ish ships in succession, he said he knew
/ the following American ships would take
| care of them and protect the Spaniards
! against the insurgents and the fire on their
! own ships. AS the battle proceeded at this
time the admiral said he was very anxious
about the range, he did not want the
| Teresa and the Niscaya to get beyond
| range. Il feared the ships We're gaining
and asked Ellis, who was very expert with
! the stadimeter, and he replied, after a use
| of the instrument, that he thought we We're
! holding our own. l thought differently at
/ the time"
TRIBUTE TO ELLIS.
At this point the admiral paid his tribute
| to Ellis, who, he said, in the magnificent
performance of his duty, had lost his life.
| His voice lowered as he spoke gently of
| the shocking sight when the sailor was
decapitated by shell which splattered his
brains and blood upon the deck Some of
! it reached me- he said He saw Lieuten-
! ant McCauley and the doctor pick the body
| up and carry it to the side as If to throw ii
/ overheard. He called to them not to do Sc,
/ that one who had fallen so CALAMITY de-
! served a better burial.
Continuing the story of the fight proper,
| the admiral described how the Niscaya had
| turned toward the Brooklyn just before
/ she went ashore. AS she turned he dis
| tinctly saw the effect of a shot which then
entered her bow, whereupOn she wheeled
back and headed for the shore. As she did
| so he saw her raked fore and aft by a big
! shell, and she listed far over that he
! thought she might turn turtle. Il signaled
| the Texas TO look out for her, but received
| no answer" Admiral Schley continued.
! THE Texas was too far back probably.
| remarked at the time, 1T does not matter.
Philip is always sensible. He needs no in
| structiOnS.'
Speaking then of the effect of the Spanish
| fire on the Brooklyn, he said il was so
heavy that all the rigging OF the Brooklyn
! had been cut; even the speed cones had
/ been shot away. one of them nearly strik-
4 ing him as he stood on the bridge.
After the Niscaya hauled down her colors
! the chase Of the Colon continued. She
/ edged in shore, and appeared TO be follow
| ing the contour OF the coast. He thought
she was looking for a soft place to go