The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-19

ChileanB toward the United States uniform,
because the natives Of Valparaiso had Q
mistaken notion that the Baltimore wOs
in the haEbOr ready to take part in the
revolution.
When the Chilean authorities reported
In answer TO the United States Governments
request for an oficial investigation IL an
nOunoed that the affair was nothing but O
drunken braWi between saLoTs Of both
nations. President Harrison finally sent
a note to the Chilean Government making
it plain that unless some s~Rtisfactory settle
ment was made this country W0uh 90 70
war. Chile finally paid this Government
375. 900 In gold TO be distributed among the
heirs OF tho two sailors killed and among
those wounded in the riot.
! Three days later the Baltimore, then flag
! ship Of the Asiatic squadron, happened 10
! be ON the Japanese station al the time Of the
Chinese-JapaneSe war. and dropped anchor
in front of Port Arthur just after the battle
of the Yalu. The Japanese WeFo planning 10
capture Port Arthur and had most Of their
navy in the neiRhborhood.
One night at duak two torpedo boats were
discovered hugging the coast not far dis
tant. and when they were finally Joined by
two more they approached the Baltimore
and finally surrounded her. ell dying jap
anese flags. The Baltimore was then direct
ly under the guns Of all the Chinese forts.
Suddenly one Of tho torpedo boats dRrted
up to within fifty feet Of the Baltimore.
just then the moon broke from q cloud and
the torpedo boat crew seemed 10 see . light,
for they hailed the Baltimore.
When they finally heard the name Of the
American warship the entire Grew Of the
Japanese torpedo boat burst out laughing.
Just after the Japanese torpedo boats had
started TO sail away the moon showed itself
again and disclosed the torpedo boats TO
the Chinese forts. Instantly the ChineSS
forts opened fire With their heavy batteries.
One shell struck the water and exploded not
twenty feet from the Baltimore.
The commander Of tho Baltimore sAW that
the flagship WA In trap and gave orders 10
get up the anchor and move out Of the har-
Dor quickly. Ono Of the torpedo boats then
drew away from the Baltimore and moved
across q patch Of moonlit water. displaying
red signals.
This drew q vollsy from all the forts.
and the Baltimore was soon In the midst
of q shower of exploding shells. The other
torpedo boats hid themselves from view
III JIG oCLDO bIhOAS VI thS u
smokestaoks. %
The Chinese forts continued firing. one
shell striking close 70 the Balttmore's otern,
another passing between her two emoke-
stacks and O third passing veFS low over
the starboard bow. In describing the
perilous position In which the Baltimore
lay during the Smelling Of the torpedo bOats
one Of the Baftlmore's crew who was at the
lifebuoy when q shell passed over the ship
declared that the shell was 'as big a. the
State Of Texas
Following her experience at Port Arthur.
the Baltimore was sent home and put out
Of commission. She underwent extensive
repairs, and in October. 1897. again 0
into commission. She was sent at once TO
relieve the cruiser Philadelphia az flagship
Of the Pacific squadron.
In March, 1898. when II was apparent that
war with Spain was inevitable. the Balti-
more, then ut Honolulu. was ordered TO join
the cruiser Olympia, flagship Of the Asiatic
squadron. This assignment was important,
because while all the warships had ammu-
milton sufficient for q battle, additional sup
plies were uceded.
The wooden cruiser Mohioan was loaded
with powder and proieotiles and hurried
to the Baltimore at Honolulu. BY utilizing
the Baltimore instead OF a merchant vessel
for the transportation Of munitions there
was much less chance that they would fall
into the hands Of the enemy. still there was
said to nave been q great feeling Of relief at
the Navy Department when the safe arrival
Of the Baltimore at Hongkong was re-
ported.
She got there on April q, and took %
much ammunition that not o third Of IL vas
expended at the battle Of Manila Bay. Two
days later she was cleaned and coaled and
painted the fighting color drab. The aame
day Great Britain issued hor neutrality proc
lamation, giving the United States warships
twenty-four hours in which to leave the
port.
When the time was up the Baltimore
started away with the Olympia and the
Raleigh, and on April n set out for the Philip
pines to carry out the instructions OF Secre-
tary Long to capture or destroy the Spanish
feet.
The fleet got to the Island OF Luzon on
April so, and at 8 4. M. on May / reached
Manila, ready TO engage the Spanish feet.
Admiral Dewey's signal, 'Prepare for
action was really communicated to the
feet by the Baltimore, which was closely
following the flagship Olympia, because on
account Of the poor light the PigIal could
not be seen from the Olympia.
The first round of the engagement had
taken place, ard the warships were beaded
for the stone Tort at Cavite, when there was a
dull explosion Of the bow OF the Baltimore.
The mass Of mud and water that shot into
the air made II clear that a submarine mine
had exploded. and that the Baltimore and her