The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-26
RIDICULOUS
DEV[Y STORY
That the Spaniards ScuttIed
Their Ships.
DIVERS AT WORK
And Trying TO Rob Great Ad-
miral Of Some Glory.

An enterprising engineering >ompan has
recently been engaged in the work of rails
ing the Spanish vessels which were sunk
in Manila Bay in Admiral Dewey's mem
orable battle Of May 1, ISIS. and accord
ing 10 accounts published in the Manila
American. many amazing facts have been
brought TO light with the RUSTY hulks-
The facts. as set forth in the Manila
newspaper. copies of which have just
reched this country. are or a kind which
unquestionably beiittle Admiral Dewey's
victory. The raising Of the sunken yes
sells. the paper says. made it clear that
few of them We're struck below the water
line and that they seem 10 have been
scuttled by the Spanisrds and not sent
TO the bottom by the Admiral's guns.
In connection with the raising OF the
gunboat Marquee del Duero. near Cavite.
the Manila American said IN its issue OF
August %:
When the gunboat was examined it
vas found that but one shot took effect
on that vessel. 1t pierced the bow above
the water line and the shell exploded
in the vessel. This goes to prove that
the guns OF the fleet never put this little
eunboat in the bottom OF the bay. and
the only conclusion as 10 its destruction
is that the Spaniards scuttled her rather
than have her fall into Admiral Dewey's
hands The version OF the battle gained
some circulation at one time but was
denied. Now that the seventeen vessels
which lie in the bottom OF the bay are TO
be raised. all doubts as 10 the manner in
which the feet was sent TO the bottom
will be settled.
while this is true of the gunboat re-
ferred to. II any. of the vessels were
sunk by the FIRE from the American feet
The engineers are now busy raising the
steel cruiser Ulloa. one OF the largest
vessels In the feet now on the bottom
of the bay 1t is reported that this
vessel shows no indication Of being rid
died below the water line. and 1t is the
impression that she was also scuttled and
abandoned.
The fact however, remains that Ad-
miral Dewey pounded the Spanish fleet
enough to make the officers decide at an
early hour that there was little chance Of
escape. Rather than surrender their yes
sells TO the enemy they decided 10 scuttle
them. and from the developments made
recently they succeeded"
Four days later the same paper an
Lounced that. from information receiv-
ed from a diver who made an investiga-
ton Of the hunks under water a year or
more ago. it is likely that when the
remainder OF these vessels are raised il
was more Of an opera boufte affair than
the land battle OF August g. OF which the
hero of the first affair had spoken so
disparagingly The diver referred 10 made
at the time a careful investigation OF all
the hulks. and his findings, which he has
made into a tabulated report. VIII be Of
interest and will perhaps send another
historic fable 20 join George Washing
tons Ratchet"
The diver referred TO found. during his
inspection. the paper added, only about
twenty hits on the whole feet Of Spanish
vessels. Few. II any, OF which would
have been fatal TO the respective ships.
OF the General Leuza, the Philippine
paper said she was found TO be entirely
disnantIed above decks BY fire, but be-
no evidences OF gun shot holes There
is one large hole in the starboard side.
as il the magazine or boilers had ex-
Uloded. but no Others The Argos has
two small holes in the port side She
vas an inonensive little coast-survey
boat. and would scarcely seem 10 have
deserved even this much ammunition.
The velasco has four small holes In
the port side above the water lire. The
Reinz Christina, the flagship. is the only
one Of the feet that seems TO have sus-
tained any severe FIRE. She has seven
holes in her port side and three "a the
starboard. The Castillo. which Dewey re-
ported 70 be riddled with shot e an
Insignificant old wooden tub. and the
diver failed 20 End any holes IN her AZ
all The UIIoa. a steel cruiser. IS reported
clean and clear Of wreckage. and has
two small holes on her port side. sstern.
To the firms on the Isia De Mindanao.
the Newspaper referred as "A case q viii
ful destruction" This vessel was troop
ship. { feet long of 6.oo0 tons she was
loaded with supplies. and vas found D.
the diver 20 Be still full u baies and
cases below decks When the American
rest appeared IN TIE hzrbor she started
10 run for B1ccoor. and the Admiral sent
gun boat after her. she received ore
shot Ia the ste-n-post- and one small
one il the starboard side The hole IN TIE
stern was made ~ an explosive shell
sud Is very large. = IL said By some
that The reason that the G.ndanao was
beached IT Eaccoor = that she vas bad
sd win TIE o-lccrs - the SPANISH feet.
no deserted their ships. already sruitiss
according 20 this version. All q hsr
viper c4cks are burned away
.Ot course an examination made under
water is cursory and not co1ciusivs. bat
IN view OF ths question that has BEER
raised TIRE raising = ~ ships I'll -
watched Nifh interest hy naval psoPls
ard ihe general pua.ic-"
Wculo Sc Like Others
what would you 60 Il you rad a zlE-
& \ dollars
.-rh $1,000 -. -rlIrse~tf~ y-ftf-a-