The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-07-05
The ADMIRAL FLED
An incident Of the Great Naval
Battle off Santiago.
SCARED BY THE FIRST SHOT
The laundering Boom Of the orsgon's
Big Gun In Opening the Attack on
csrvera's Fleet Proved Too Much
For the Nerves Of the Old Veteran.


captain, that almost always In any
great event OF exciting experience.
even one in which human lives are IN
volyed. there fl likely TO be some little
minor feature with a humorous side to
il that viii call forth smile. If not
sudden burst OF laughter. 1t seems as Il
In such trying moments ones feelings
seek quick vent and seize upon any
little incident as safety valve"
This particular piece Of philosophy
was expressed by the grim old captain
OF our steamer as we were laziiy churn.
ing along the lower coast OF Florida.
a never get down on these southern
seas" continued the capSsin. without
thinking OF thar Sd Of July. 1893. when
our fellows pushed the Spanish feet
up on the shore after their attempt 70
steal ont Of Santiago harbor
Il was first officer OF the Dasher. one
Of the auxiliary steamers that the gov
ernment had chartered and rushed into
service. We had been engaged in car
rying provisions from Tampa down 70
the ships OF the feet. and il was ticklish
business. too, because no one really
knew up 70 the last few days just
where the Spanish feet actually was,
ana we expected TO be overhauled and
captured almost any time
"This particular trip Lad been an
eventful one. and after rounding Cape
Maisi. on the eastern end OF Cuba' we
soon sighted our splendid feet OF light
ers ranged In that fatal semicircle
round the entrance of Santiago ike
pack of hounds watching for fox to
come out of his hole. 1t was great
sight. tell youi The smoke was lazi'
ly curling up out OF each stack, show
ing that steam was up and everything
ready for the spring from the leash the
moment the fox showed his head
1--WE had our orders and in short
time were close alongside the big OLD
Oregon. which, you remember. had
| iust made that wonderful trip round
the Horn TO take part in the fracas-
don't believe there ever was hot
ter day even in the tropics than this
sunday the Sd OF July. Things were
simply sizzling everywhere, and the
ocean itself seemed to be steaming.
AFTER we had warped alongside and
the crew had begun carrying aboard
the consignment of bread. potatoes. on
ions and other stnff stepped into the
captains room to see If could get
any comfort out OF the electric ran
which was working overtime. had
iugt spoken to old Admiral. the cap
tatn's pet tomcat-and huge fellow
he was--who was lying on the noor
stretched out as wide as possible. far
lv gasplng for air. when. holy mack
ereI. there were concussion and a
deafening roar which sent me sprawl
ing and nearly knocked my head on.
All / remember seeing that instant
was a big cat going almost TO tne
ceiling. with a tail as big around as
grapefruit and every leg. claw ana
hair standing straight out, The Ore
gon had let so one Of its big forward
turret guns right alongside OF Us, FOR
the Spanish fox had started out OF It's
hole
"In 1ust one instant everything on
earth in the way of activity seemed g
be doing. rushed to the door. and
the thing that caught my eye was tnal
old tomcat going aft on the upper dect
IKE streak OF creased lightning. witf
every sail set to catch the wind anc
fairly cIawing ar the deck In his efforl
to fEake time.
an almost less time than 1t has tax
sn 10 tell you that one shot had growI
into dcafenIng roar from almost ev
cry gun in the feet that could bear OF
the fox. Our lashings bad been Gu
loose. and away went the tieet in tina
dramatic rush to victory for Us ans
death to the Spaniardsl
VAS my captain and stood on th'
bridge and watched the sight he turne'
to me and said. Knight I'm an oil
! man and haven't bur few years NOR
! to live at best. I'll give the rest 0
my years to see this fight to the finish
. and, by the gods. I'm going to follow
! 'emr And he gave the signal for ful
! speed ahead
Z Say, but that was a sight. No ma
who saw it viii ever forget it. Th
race was all In front or Us, the span
iards running for cover and putting q
the best fight they could IN their bal
baked condition and our fellows plus
giug them fast and furiously.
1--WE followed until the fight was a
over and then came about to return
Santiago. The captain gave orders I
serve supper in the officers mess. fo
neither of us in the excitement Of To
day had thought a thing about eatini
AS we sat down to our meal be turne
to me and said: Knight. have you see
= nv old tomcat Admirai7 I've hunte
for him all oyer the Ship
= "'WelI.' ] replied. pulling out u
watch and looking at 1t, If he has keT
10 the pace he was making when sa'
him last going art on the upper dec
he's due IN about six minutes now Q
: his third lap around the world
ssWe never did see old Admiral agall
and the captain mourned him TIL b