davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

ton to burn the coal and stores before al
lowing them to fall into the power of the
enemy. l sent the Don Juan de Austria to
Manila to get large number of lighters
filled with sand to defend the water line
OF the Castillo (Which could not move)
against the enemy's shells and torpedoes.
vessels OF my squadron, towing the Castillo
by the transport Manila.
In the afternoon of the same day we
anchored in the gulf of Canacao In eight
meters OF water. On the following morn
ing we anchored in line of battle, the
Christina, Castillo, Don Juan de Austria,
Don Juan de Ulloa, Luzon, Cuba and
Manila was sent to the roads Of Bacoor,
where the Velasco and Lezo were under
going repairs. - -.
Subic announcing that the enemy's squad
ron had entered the port at 3, reconnoiter-
ing, doubtless seeking our ships, ana from
there they sailed with course for Manila
The mail steamer Isla Mindanao arrived
in the bay. / advised her captain to save
his vessel by going to Singapore, as the
enemy could bsfoT not gSS he Wss
not authorized from the transatlantic nc
did not do so, and then told him that ne
could anchor in shallow water as near
AT midnight gun fire was heard on
Corregidor, and at on the morning a
the LIST Of May received teIess seis were eT
throwing their search lights at the bat
| teries of the entrance, with whlch tneS
| had exchanged several shots. l notineS
! the commanding general OF the arsenal
Senior Sostoa, and the general governor
| of the plaza Captain Senior Garcia Pan9
that they should prepare themselves.
| directed all the artillery 70 be loaded
| and all the sailors and soldiers to go L
their stations for battle, soon to receive
\ the enemy. -,
| to Subic until the entrance Of the Ameri
| can squadron in the bay OF Manila
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

According 10 statement OF one OF the
crew OF the Relns. Christina, the crews OF
the Spanish vessels were largely IN excess
Of the numbers here given.
The OlypiR Aired S6 rounds eight-inch, 2sl
fve-inch, 1000 six-pounders and $50 one
Founders. The Boston. IS eight-inch, 1872
six-ineh, 2O six-pounder, 748 three-pounder
and 40 one-pourder. The Concord, ls2 six
inch. 29O six-pounder. 100 three-pounder and
90 one-pounder. The Petrol, lie six-inch
and sls three-pDunder.
There was plenty OF ammunition left at
the end OF the fighting. less than one-third
having been expended.
The Olympic was struck eight times, the
Baltimore Ave times, the Boston four
times. the Raleigh once. the Concord not
at all and the Petrol only once, and that
by a fragment OF shell.
Two offlcers and six men were wounded
on the Baltimore, q 4T-inch she'll havins
disabled one 6-inch gun and exploded sew
eral three-pound cartridges. There were
no other casualties. One shell ex.
ploded IN a coal bunker-a convenient
place. All holes in the side were closed
with leak shoppers. with which an wal
ships are supplied.
A good criticism was given by Captain
n. NJ. Dyer OF the Baltimore
The fact that the ship was so rarely hi
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Battle of Manila Bay
Continued from Page Four,

NCOntlnueo from rage FouF.)
the batteries being silenced ana the ships
sunk, burnt and deserted.
At 12:4O p. m, the squadron returned and
anchored on Manila, the Petrol being left
behind to complete the destruction Of the
point Of Cavite. This duty was performed
by Commander e. p. Wood in the most ex-
peditfous and complete manner possible
The Spanish lost the following vessels:
Sunk: Reina Christina Castillo Don
Burnt: Don Juan de Austria, Isla de
Luzon, Isla de Cuba, General lezo, Mar
ques del Duero, Bl Correo, Velasco and
Isla de Mindanao CtransporD.
Captured: Rapido and Hercules (tugs) and
several launches
am unable to obtain complete lists Of
the enemys killed and wounded but be-
Reina Christina alone had $50 killed, in
GLIDING the captain, and ninety wounded.
am happy to report that the damage to
the squadron under my command was in
considerable. There were none killed and
only seven men In the. squadron very
slightly WOUNDED: AS VIII be seen by the
are herewith enclosed several of the YES
sells were struck and even penetrated, but
squadron ls IN as good condition now as
before the battle.
l beg to state to the department that I
doubt II any commanderin-chief under
similar circumstances was ever served by
more loyal, efficient and gallant captains
than those of the squadron under my
timonials).
On May q the day foIlowing the engage
ment the squadron again went to Cavite,
where Il remains. A landing party was
sent to destroy the guns and magazines OF
the batteries there. The first battery, near
the end Of Sangley point, was composed OF
two modern Trubia breechloadin rifles OF
tifteen centimeters caliber (5.91 inches)
The second was one mile farther down the
beach and consisted of modern Camel
twelve-centimeter breechloading rih0 be-
sind improvised earthworks. on the Sd the
military authorities evacuated the Cavite
pssenal, which was taken possession of by
q landing party On the same day the
Raleigh and Baltimore secured the sur
render Of the batteries on Corregidor island
| paroling the garrison and destroying thC
/ guns.
on the morning OF May the transport
Manila, which had been aground in BakoI
bay. was towed OF and made a prize.
Very respectfully, your ooedient servant
| GEORGE DEWEY,
Commodore u. 3. NJ,
Commanding United States Naval Fore,
| on Asiatio Station.
/ The Secretary OF the Navy.
| Washington ID. Q.
bureau OF Navigation.)
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Arrival of the Enemy.

The squadron being disposed for action.
fires spread, and everything in proper
place we waited for the enemys ar
rival
All the vessels, having been painted
a dark gray color, had taken down their
masts and yards and boats to avoid the
effects of projectiles and the splinters,
had their anchors buoyed and cables ready
to ship instantly.
At a. M. / made signal to prepare for
action, and at 4:45 the Austria signaied
the enemy's squadron, few minutes after
which they were recognized, with some
confusion, in column parallel with ours
at about 5000 meters distant; the nag
ship Olympia ahead, followed by. the Bal
timore, Raleigh, Boston, Concord, Helena
Petrol and Mccullough and the two
Transports Zafiro and Nanshan.
The force of these vessels, excepting
transports that were noncombatant
amounted to 21,41o tons, 1920 horse
mower 1913 guns (many of which were
rapid fre), 1880 men in their crews, and
an average velocity Of about seventeen
miles The power OF our only five effec-
tive ships for battle was represented by
l0,111 tons, 1900 horsepower, seventy,
six guns very short OF rapid hre), 1871
crew, and a maximum speed OF IL miles
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Eject of American Fire.

The Americans fired most rapidly. Then
came upon us numberless proJecties. as
the three cruisers at the head Of the line
devoted themselves almost entirely 10 night
the Christina, my flagship. A short time
after the action commenced one shell eN-
ploded in the fOrecastle and put out OF
action all those who served the four rapid
fire cannon, making splinters of the forward
mast, which wounded the helmsman on the
bridge, when Lieutenant Jose Nunez took
the wheel with a GOODNESS worthy OF the
greatest comm endation, steering until the
end Of the tight In the meanwhile another
shell exploded in the orlop setting fire 10
the crews bags. which they were fortu-
nately able 10 control.
The enemy shortened the distance be-
tween us and reotifying his aim covered
US with a rain Of rapid fire projectiles. Al
Z 80 one she'll DESTROYED Completely the
steering gear. I ordered 10 steer by hand
while the rudder was out OF action. In the
meanwhile another she'll exploded on the
poop and put out OF action nine men. An
other destroyed the mizzen masthead bring
ing down the nag and my ensign, which
were replaced Immediately. A fresh shell
exploded in the officers cabin, covering tbs
hospital with blood, destroying the wounded
who were being treated there. Another ex-
ploded In the ammunition room astern. MI
ing the quarters with smoke and preventing
the working OF the hand steering gear. AZ
Il was impossible 70 control the Ere l had
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
the statesmanIiIse view.

Senator" said the reporter, let me
ask you one more question. Are you In favor
OF the movement for electinB United States
senators by direct vote OF the peopleT
Certainly not sir. That would be con-
trary 10 the constitution"
THE constitution can be amended. can't
itT"
Yes. but not by punching a hole In II,
Young man. how would you like 70 amend
your own constitution by introducing some
thing Of a liquid nature into itf''
Thereupon the interview cane 70 an uns-
timely end, leaving q momsnooaa question
stil unsetusd.-chleaEor Tribune -. j..
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

gave few opportunities for conspicuous
heroism-he seems to regret it-but the en-
thusiasm and cool steadiness of the men
gave promise that they would have been
equal to any emergency.
One of the men of the Baltimore had a
leg fractured by slipping, another q
sprained ankle.
We can supplement Captain Dyer's COM
ment only by pointing out that the victory
was prepared long in advance and entailed
many months OF hard work and careful
provision for officers and men under the
direction Of the gallant commodore and
his devoted captains
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Fire from shore.

At 5 the batteries on Point Sangley
opened fire. The two first shots fell short
and to the left of the leading vessel
These shots were not answered by the
enemy, whose principal object was the
squadron.
This battery only had two OrdoneE guns
OF fifteen centimeters mounted, and but
one of these could fire in the direction
of the opposing fleet.
In few minutes one OF the batteries
of Manila opened fire, and at 5:lb made
signal that our squadron open hre. The
enemy answered Immediately. The battle
became general We slipped the springs
OF the cables and started ahead with the
engines, so as not to be involved by the
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
INDICTMENT of fhe Admiral.

1t remains only to say that all the chiefs,
officers, engineers, quartermasters, gunners,
sailors and soldiers rivaled one another In
sustaining with honor the good name Of
the navy on this sad day.
The inefficiency OF the vessels which COM
posed my little squadron, the lack OF all
classes OF personnel, especially master gun
ners and seamen gunnersi the .inapttude
Of some Of the provisional machinists, the
scarcity OF rapid-ire cannon, the strong
crews Of the enemy and the unprotected
character of the greater part Of our vessels
all contributed TO make more decided the
sacrifice which we made for our country
and 10 prevent the possibility of the hor-
rors OF the bombardment OF the city OF
Manila, with the conviction that with the
scarcity OF our force against the superior
enemy we were going to certain death
and could expect a loss OF all our ships.
Our casualties, including those OF the
arsenal, amounted 20 Ssl men killed and
wounded.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Conditions Dbl IaIands Now,

We have held the Philippine islands for
nearly eight years. Not a gun is now
mounted In defense OF the Philippines ex-
cept on our men-of-war. We have no navy
yard there Of any importance Our feet ls
very weak. consisting OF two pattleshlps,
the Ohio and the wisconsin, Two monitors
and a few small unarmored cruisers, gun
boats and auxiliary vessels. In the event
OF an attack from any foreign power which
has a fair chance OF success the natives
who are Of a mercuriaI and unstable tenn.
permanent, will rise against US.
We have now no vessels In Commission
on our Pacific coast OF any considerable
military value. the Pacific squadron con-
sisting Of the unaEmored cruisers ChicaGC
Caagship), A5Oo tons; Boston. 1900 tons, and
Marblehead, 2100 tons; the gunboat Prince
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
improvement in the Navy.

We have gone ahead rapidly with the
development of our navy, and this year
marks the greatest progress in the
strengthening of the fleet in commission.
Dewey's Olympia is a pigmy In COMPARE
son with our new armored cruisers, ana
the Nebraska is very far superior TO the
four battleships Admiral Simpson had on
Santiago.
But vastly more important than the adj
dition Of new ships have been the i'm
provements in ammunition and gun me-
chanism and the consequent development
OF accurate and rapid-fire OF all calibres.
Dewey had very poor gun mechanism and
powder made OF sulphur. saltpeter and
charcoal. He obtained his ranges by
chart measurements Today the largest
guns mounted afoat can be fired more
rapidly than could Deweys 6-inch, and
with about 1000 per cent greater Gc-
curacy. Two hits a minute with IA
inch gun throwing an S50-pound shell -
not considered wonderful, while a record
of about twelve hits a minute has been
obtained with the new 6-inch gun, throw
ing a projectile weighing lo5 pounds.
The powder is known as pyrocelluloso,
and is made by nitrating cotton-dipping
II in a mixture of strong nitric and sui
phurio acids, then washing and drying II,
/ then dissolving IL in a mixture OF ether
and alcohol, and pressing the "colloid'
out in the form required. For the large
| guns it is a hexagonal prism pierced by
several small longitudinal holes. This
burns without smoke To secure uni
formity of burning in the gun few
| ignition grains" OF black gunpowder are
used, and these make a little smoke, which
IL quickly dispersed by the blast OF the
| gun.
Had Dewey had the improved ammuni-
tion and gun mechanism, the battle OF
Manila bay would not have lasted twenty
| minutes.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Destruction Of the ships.

The ship being out of control the hull,
smoke pipe and mast riddled with shot'
confused with the cries of the wounded,
half OF the crew out of action, among
whom were seven officers, gave the order
to sink and abandon the ship before the
at the ic;'' same time to the Cuba and L1zon
to assist In saving the rest OF the crew,
which they did, aided by others from the
abandoned the Christina, directing be-
forehand to secure its nag and accom-
I hoisted my nag on the cruiser Isla de
Cuba.
After having saved many men from the
heroic commander Don Luis Cadarso. who
was DIRECTING the rescue.
The Ulloa, which also defended herself
nrmly, using the only two guns which
were available, was sunk by a shell which
entered the waterline, putting out of ao-
naming crew, those Which i n0 were i only My re-
naming for the service OF the two guns
The Castillo, which fought heroically, re-
NAMED with her artillery useless, except
one stern gun with which they fought
spiritedly, was riddled with shot and set
and was abandoned by her crew in good
order which was directed by her COM
es Un Rs sAD We're killed
and eighty wounded.
| The Austria, very much damaged by nre
went TO the aid of the Castillo. The Luzor
had three guns dismounted and was
slightly damaged in the hun. The Duero
! remained with one of her engines useless
the bow gun of twelve centimeters and one
/ OF the redoubts.
At s o'clock in the morning the enemy'I
| squadron having suspended It's fire, / or
/ dered the ships that remained 70 us TO take
/ positions in the bottom Of the roads Al
! Bacoor, and there 10 resist 10 the last mo
ment and that they should be sunk before
| they surrendered.
! At 1870 the enemy returned, forming
| circle to destroy the arsenal and the ship
| which remained to me, opening upon then
| a horrible fire, which we answered as fAl
as we could with the few cannon which w
| still had mounted.
There remained the last recourse to slnl
our vessels and we accomplished this opef
alton, taking care to save the nag, the dis
| tinguishing pennant, the money in the safe
the portable arms the breech plugs Of tn
| guns and the signal codes.
| After which / went with my stan to tn
| convent of Santo Domingo de Cavite TO b.
/ cured Of a wound received In the left lei
and TO telegraph report Of the action, witt
preliminanes and results.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Return 20 Manila.

I refused 20 have our ships near the city
Of Manila because, far from defending Il
this would provoke the enemy to lombard
the plaza, which doubtless would have
been demolished on account OF It's few de-
lenses. i was unanimously decided that
we should take position In the bay OF
Canacao. in the least wafer possible IN
order to combine our fire with that OF the
batteries OF Point sangley and Ulloa.
centrate his forces In the most strategic
point OF the arsenal, taking every DISPOSE
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
petaiIn of I'D Yictorr,

The commodore was promoted TO rear
admiral and as such. en- July Q, he reports
the compliments OF the Spanish vessels as
follows:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

ton, LOO tons, and two destroyers. At
Mare Island are also the monitor Wyoming
(out of commission and two submarines
All the vessels of the Pacific squadron may
perhaps be classed as obsolete.
Finally, we have building on the Pacific
coast the magnificent battleship Nebraska,
which should be completed this fall at Sc
attle and the armored cruisers California
and South Dakota and protected cruiser
Milwaukee at San Francisco. Just what
steps will be taken looking to the COM
pletion OF these vessels cannot now be
announced.
In the event OF war we would ind great
difficulty in sending a feet from our At
lantic coast to the Pacific. The Hague
conference will probably settle this year
the question OF coaling a fleet in neutral
waters during hostilities, and there Is a
probability that 1t will be prohibited. The
| storms of the Atlantic and Pacific in the
vicinity Of Cape Horn and north of It on
| both sides are exceptionally severe. 1t IL
| 11,B20 miles from San Juan Porto Rico, to
San Diego, Cal, by the straits Of Magellan.
How long would It take, under favorable
| circumstances, to send fleet from the At
lantic for the relief Of our people in the
| Philippines? Governor Wood, we have rea-
son to believe, thinks 1t imperative for US
to create in Manila bay a stronghold, raj
lying point where the Americans in the
east could maintain themselves against at
| tack from sea and land for a period of two
years. Our principal naval forces will be
required on tho Atlantic coast until the
Panama canal is completed and the ques-
ton OF It's fertilization is settled.
But congress is not disposed to provide
any permanent defenses for the Philip
| pines. Like the Spanish, we are disposed
to occupy ourselves with the questions
Immediately before us and let providence
/ take care Of the future all alone.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
to Hood the magazine when the cartridges

to flood the magazine when the cartridges
were beginning to explode.
Amidships several shells Of smaller caiber
went through the smokestack and one of
the large ones penetrated the fire room,
putting out Of action one master gunner
and twelve men serving the guns. Another
rendered useless the starboard bow gun.
While the fire astern increased fire was
started forward by another shell which
deck.
The broadside guns, being unchanged,
continued firing until there were only one
gunner and one seaman remaining unhurt
for firing them, as the guns crews had been
frequently called upon to substitute those
of action.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

All aboard for the big opening at the
Omaha Field club next Saturday afternoon
and evening Some plan has been devised
% those wishing may partake OF about all
The kinds OF sport going. Manager Malone
or the base ball team will have a regular
base ball game on the diamond which has
been lifted up. The golf committee has
announced the links all In readiness and
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

The race in the big league up to the pres
ent shows that the teams were not in shape
10 enter on the contest. The lack Of spring
practice is accountable for this, but the bad
weather has been in measure responsible
for the showing. One thing has been
demonstrated. and that is the western
teams are more evenly matched than the
eastern, and that the real line on possible
winners cannot be had until the west and
the east meet. Jimmy Collins and his old
timers are starting just as they did last
year. and so Is Clark Griffith and his bunch
Of Highlanders Jake Stahi is making the
same sort OF splurge with his Nationals and
there are a few who hope he will be able
20 keep II up longer In the west the ST.
Louis teams have furnished the surprises
and the Chicago teams the disappontments.
But the warm days OF May are likely to
put a different aspect on the whole situa-
ton, and Il would be a very daring man
who would try to place the teams this early.
Jack Phester's frst game in Chicago en-
deared him to the bugs OF that city. even
II he did lose Il. for It wasn't Jacks fault
IN the long run. Jacks wild pitch contribu-
ted but one run to the four piled up by
Plttsburg, while an error by Evers on an
easy chance gave them the winning run.
The Tribune says Phester earned a draw in
spite OF his error and his wild pitch. II all
goes to show that Big Jack is going to
make good in Chicago
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29

in the work OF their association known as
the Omaha Automobile club. Several meet
ings have been held and the owners have
pledged themselves TO report any fast driv-
ing they may see and 10 appear as wit
nesses against anyone caught violating the
laws. When automobiling WIS new the own
ers got into disfavor by The fast manner
in which they hurried through the streets.
regardless OF the safety Of pedestrians, but
this has been changed to a large extent.
The farmers are beginning 10 recognize the
fact that automobiles have some rights OF
the roads. and clasheB In the country are
less frequent. The city horses and their
country cousins as we'll are becoming more
used to the whiz cars and less runaways are
caused by autos. Committees have been
appointed by President Connor OF the
Omaha Automobile club and these are now
actively engaged In work for the good OF The
automobile owners. And what Is good for
auto owners is In a large measure good for
the owners Of horses Much good was ac-
cOmplshed last season in the way OF stop
ping fast driving and the betterment Of the
streets. 1t was largely through the efforts
of automobile owners that the connecting
link was made between the pavement and
the maceadam on Dodge street This had
b0eh ihpaSsatAe TOT some tlInei and IL was
the automobile men who presented the
matter to the park board. the street railway
/ company and the county commissioner
In such way that the road was fixed. A
committee has now been appointed TO ael
with similar committee from Council
Bluffs to see II Broadway cannot be re-
paired 50 as 10 be passable between Omaha
and Council BLUFFS for wagons as well a.
/ automobiles The present condition NJ m.
street Is a disgrace TO a eivilized com.
munity. Wagons had much better be driver
.up the side streets with no pavement thar