The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-20

the Spanish ships appeared the I've big
American blockad-rs started toward them
in accordance with the standing orders OF
Admiral Sampson
EACH SHIP FOR ITSELF
After this first move each acted purely
on his own initiative For some minutes
the Spanish and American vessels stsaGi-
II approached one another. and the fight
ing was at its hottest. Then the al
ready damaged Spanish ships turned 20
the westward. while at the same time the
Brooklyn. which was nearest the Span
ish line. turned 70 the eastward. making a
loop Of a thres-quarter circle at the end
OF which she again headed westward,
farther of and farther behind the Span
ish vessels than before the loop had be-
gun, but stil ahead Of any OF the Ameri-
can vessels. although farther outside The
Texas, the next ship TO the Brooklyn.
either was or conceived herself 70 be put
in such jeapordy by the Brooklyn's turn
toward her that she backed her engines,
coming almost or quite to 2 stsn6stili; 50
that both the Oregon and the Iowa, which
were originally 10 the eastward OF her,
passed her and il was some time after she
again started before she regained her for
uer position relatively 70 the Spanish yes
sells. The Spanish vessels had straight
ened out in a column for the west, the
Colon going inside OF the others and
gradually forging ahead OF them without
suffering much damage. The two torpedo
boats, which had followed them out OF tire
harbor. were now destroyed by the fire
OF the American big vessels and OF the
Gloucester. which headed straight for
them, paying 10 more heed to their quick
fire guns than 10 the heavy artillery OF the
forts to which she was also exposed.
In the running fight which followed, IN
til the Teresa. Oquendo and Viscaya wers
destroyed, the Indiana gradually dropped
behind. although she continued 70 FIRE IN
Ill the last OF the three vessels went
ashore. The Brooklyn was ahead OF any
Of the other American vessels, on a course
outside theirs; she was nearly broadside
on 70 the Spaniards. The Oregon. Iowa
and Texas were all close together and
actively engaged throughout this run
ming ffht- The Brooklyn and Oregon. /
followed at some distance by the Texas. I
then continued IN chase OF the Colon. /
which ment nearly 30 miles further before Z
she went ashore. During this chase Of the (
Colon. there was practically no fighting. +
These are the facts as set forth in the !
statement OF the captains and elsewhere /
in their Official reports and testimony. |
They leave no room for doubt on any i'm !
portant point.
The question Of command IS IN this case |
nominal and technical Admiral Samp- !
sons ship, the New York. was seen at the |
outset OF the fight from all the ships ex- /
cept the Brooklyn. Four OF these five I
ship captains have testified that they 7.
regarded him as present and in command /
He signalled close in" 70 the feet as
soon as the Spanish ships appeared. but |
his signal was not seen By any American /
vessel. He was actually under fire from I
the forts. and he himself fred coupl-
Of shots az the close OF the action with the (
torpedo boats. in addition 70 signalling +
the Indiana Just at the close OF the a
ton.