The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-04-18
THE sTOKERs ON THE OREGON.
some OF the Underlying Causes for the
Total Destruction OF the Spanish
Fleet az Santiago.

From the Locomotive Firemen's Magazine
At the Noyembsr meeting Of the Pitts
burg Railway club, the members present
listened 10 an address by Col David P.
Jones. the subject being. some Of the
Underlying Causes for the Total De
structiOn of the Spanish Fleet at Santi-
ago" After reviewing the deplorable
condition of affairs. mental and physical,
Of the Spanish feet. Col Jones said:
Taking what has been said In detail,
the inabilityOf the Spaniards to properly
handle their vessels. their non-recognition
OF the vast importance OF the mighty
physical forces under their charge, their
contempt for the expOnents Of these
forces, added to the manifest superiority
OF our Own people aud we have causes
enough to sink a thousand ships.
"As a contrast to the probable action
of Spain under similar circumstances, a
little incident that occurred on the Ore
gOn during the Santiago chase, will be
interesting:
when the chase after the Spanish feet
had continued for some little time Com
mander Milligan, chief engineer of the
Oregon, was down in the engine aud FIRE
room. There were the fireman stripped
to the waist, and firing their boilers with
all the energy that was 10 them. Mill
gan saw that they had almost reached
the point of exhaustion. With no battle
noises or signs. to encourages them, he saw
that human physical ability had reached
its limit. And down in the depths of the
ship with the intense heat aud noxiOus
gases of the roaring furnace and the hum
Of the engines. ne realized what exhaus-
ton at that time meant TO his ship and
his country. He went up on deck and
[ reported TO Capt Clark the condition oil
affairs. The captain said that the enemy
were too distant To be reached by the
I guns and he would send the powder divi
sion below to get out the coal. Milligar
suggested that 10 addition to that, If the
captain would fire of the big rifles after
/ the enemy. even If be couldn't reach them
/ it would have an inspiring effect upon
/ the men. Capt. Clark thought the idea
! good one. and said he would do il. Mill
| gan at once went below, and at a glance
I be saw that the firemen could last but a
little longer. With bodies streaming with
| Precipitation, with painting breasts and
haggard eyes, they were on the point oil
collapse.
"At that moment the great forward
I rife was fired. As the roar Of explosion
/ reached the fire room every man sprang
to his feet. The effect Of a 1--we wire
could not have been more electric: men
- no but a moment before were painting
IN extreme exhaustion sprang TO their
feet as though invigorated with new life.
With one great cheer of JOY, and roar
/ Of We have got them We have got
themr they spraDg with renewed vigor
to their fires and pulled up the speed OF
I the ship to what she had never done be
I fore. When the second gun was fired
/ they were simply delirious with JOY. Nc
time for feeling tired now No time for
exhaustion. No. indeed. They were in
I it. At this moment some of the powder
division made their appearance to give
help, but they were met with a great cry
OF Out OF this. Go back and fight your
guns and don't let them Dagos get away.
Such, my friends, is the spirit that ami
mates our boys-our boys away down
/ deep in the bowels OF the ship, with no
I hope Of reward, but with patriotism
bubbling at every pore Is it a wonder
then, that Spain bit the dust in bitter
/ humiliation