The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-17


sippi in 62.
Chance plays large part in the
lives of men. The Richard Wainwright
Of the Gloucester had been executive
officer of the battleship Maine. and
was on that vessel when she was de-
stroyed in Havana hnrbor. February 10,
1898 If any man had reason TO feel
bitterly toward Spain, he certainly had.
There was no berth on any of the bat
tleships for him when war was declar-
ed, but he was placed in command oil
~. pierponr Morgan's yacht Corsair,
which the government had acquired
ard which had been converted into
gunboat and christened the Gloucester.
The yacht was fast, but was unprotect-
ed One shot from a big gun would
sink her Fast-fring guns of light
calibre had been put upon her. and she
had been sent to join SIMPSONS fleet
in Cuban waters.
In the long. tedious days and nights
of the blockade of Santiago. the Glou-
cester had been used as much for dis
patch purposes as anything else on
shore Shafter was trying to smash the
Spanish lines, and was finding the TASK
difficult one. Within the harhor were
the Spanish battleships and torpedo
boat destroyers, safe behind the frown-
ing hills and well-protected by the
guns Of MORO Castle.
Cervcrn Ordered to Sail.
In the day time the American fleet
held position we'll off shore. AT night
the fleet closed in and the searchlights
played on the narrow channel. Smarter
hoped to carry the forts from the land
side. but found the job harder than he
mi. ,icl, la.lt
would dash out at night taking the
advantage of storm or fog. was eS.
pected. To maintain the Gordon, 10 be
ever prepared for battle. was the task
of the blockading force.
Cervera had little doubt what the re-
suit would be If he gave battle to
Sampson, The Spanish battleships We're
of greater speed than those of the
blockaders. but man for man and boat
for boat the Spaniard never was
match for the American.
Day after day the dreary game of
watching and waiting was played by
the two commanders. Then there came
to Cervera an order which he must
obey Captain General Blanco directed
him to leave Santiago and proceed to
Havana. That Santiago would fall the
captain general felt certain. With the
fleet in Havana he believed the war
would be prolonged.
Cervera called his captains in council.
They all agreed that to carry. out the
captain generals order was suicidal,
but they had to decide whether the
dash should be made at night or In
daylight. They voted for day. and
July was selected.
The Luck of Wainwright.
At kao A. NJ. on July s. 1898, Admiral
Sampson. of the flagship New York.
slgnaled to the Gloucester. He was to
meet General Shafter at Siboney
that morning for conference. and he
determined to go there In the Glou-
cester. Then something happened that
made him change the plan and he de-
| cided to go in the New York instead.
| He signaled to the fleet to disregard
| the movements of the flagship, and the
| New York started for Siboncy. To the
| admirals change of plan wainwright
| owes what glory he won in tho great
! events of that historic day.
| 1t was at 9:43 a, Nj. when the New
| York was speeding toward Siooney,
| that the watchers on the American
| ships saw the first of the Spanish war
| ships. The lnfanta Maria Teresa, the
| fiagSllp WtIQ AuIlllEdl GeINSld pAi tiAS
bridge, was leading tho way, Next
they saw the Tiscaya, then the Colon
then the Oquendo. Behind the Oauendc
We're the torpedo boats Pluton and
A Furor,,
The Supreme moment Of the war had
arrived. In few minutes the first
/ great contest between modern war
ships would begip, The mighty engines
Of destruction that represented tbs
| highest type Of sea power would gran
pie in death struggle. The long vigil
was at an end.
The Fight.
There was no lack of preparation OF
the American vessels. At the first s1s1
of the smoke ef the Spanish warship'
tho signal had been given to the block
aiding fleet to close In, For few min
lutes there was doubt as to whether TIL,
spenlards would turn to the westward