The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-14
The ADMIRAL FLED
An Incident of the Great Naval
Battle Off Santiago.
SCARED BY THE FIRST SHOT
The laundering Boom Of the oregon's
Big Gun In Opening the Attack on
cervera's Fleet Proved Too Much
For the Nerves of the Old Veteran.

Its remarkable thing" said Oh
captain. that almost always in an
great event of exciting experience,
even one in which human lives are il
volved. there is likely 10 be some lIttl
minor feature with humorous side (
It that will call forth a smile. If not
sudden burst of laughter. II seems as
in such trying moments ones feeling
seek quick vent and seize upon an.
little incident as a safety valve"
This particular piece OF philosoph!
was expressed by the grim old captain
OF our steamer as we were lazily churn
ing along the lower coast of Florida.
Il never get down on these southern
seas" continued the captain. without
thinking Of that 81 OF July. 1893, wher
our fellows pushed the Spanish feet
up on the shore after their attempt Ia
steal out of Santiago harbor.
II was first officer of the Dasher, one
OF the auxiliary steamers that the gov
eminent had chartered and rushed into
service. We had been engaged In car
rying provisions from Tampa down to
the ships of the feet, and it was tlcklish
business. too. because no one really
knew up 10 the last few days Just
where the Spanish feet actually was.
and we expected to be overhauled and
captured almost any time.
This particular trip had been an
eventful one. and after rounding Cape
Maisi, on the eastern end of Cuba, we
soon sighted our splendid feet OF fight
ers ranged in that fatal semicircle
round the entrance of Santiago like n
pack of hounds watching for fox TO
come out of his hole 1t was great
sight. tell you! 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.
I'VE had our orders and in a short
time were close alongside the big old
Oregon. which, you remember, had
just made that wonderful trip round
the Horn TO take part in the fracas
/ don't believe there ever was a hot
ter day even in the tropics than this
Sunday, the Sd of July. Things were
simply sizzling everywhere, and the |
ocean itself seemed 10 be steaming.
After we had warped alongside and
the crew had begun carrying aboard |
the consignment of bread. potatoes, on
ions and other stuff l stepped into the
captains room 10 see If | could get
nfnf ~ 40 al 1fVfa % |
which was working overtime l had
Just spoken 10 old Admiral. the cap
tain's pet tomcat-and a huge fellow
he was-who was lying on the floor
out as wide as possible, fair
ly gasping for air. when. holy mack
erel. there were n conclusion and a
deafening roar which sent me sprawl.
ing and nearly knocked my head Off.
All l remember seeing that instant
was a big cat going almost TO the
ceiling, with n tail as big around as
q grapefruit and every leg. claw and
hair standing straight out. The Ore
gon had let go one of its big forward |
turret guns right alongside Of us, for
the Spanish fox had started out of it's
hole
In just one instant everything on
earth in the way of activity seemed TO
be doing. ! rushed 10 the door, and
The thing that caught my eye was that
DID tomcat going aft on the upper deck
Ike streak of creased lightning, with
every sail set 10 catch the wind and
-airly clawing at the deck I'm his effort
% make time.
ain almost less time than IL has TAX
n TO tell you that one shot had grown
nto a deafening roar from almost ev-
~ gun In the fleet that could bear on
he fox. Our lashings had been cut
pose, and away went the fleet I'm that
rush to victory for us and
eath TO the Spaniards
las my captain and l stood on the
ridge and watched the sight he turned
D me and said: Knight I'm an old
IAN and haven't but "a few years more
D live at best I'll give the rest Of
~ years to see this fight TO the finish.
nd. by the gods, I'm going 20 follow
'mV And he gave the signal for full
)eed ahead
Say, but that was a sight! No man n
no saw 1t will ever forget IL. The =
ice was all in front Of us, the Span
rds running for cover and putting I'D
lie best fight they could I'm their half
lked condition and our fellows plug
ne them fast and furiously.
We followed until the fight was all
Ter and then came about 70 return TO
ntiago. The captain gave orders to
rye supper in the officers mess, for
.ither Of us I'm the excitement of the
y had thought a thing about eating.
we sat down 10 our meal he turned
me and said: Knight. have you seen
= old tomcat Admiral? I've hunted
him all over the Ship
Well I replied. pulling out nv
Itch and looking at IT. If he has kent
the pace he was making when 1 saw
u last going aft on the upper deck n
8 due In about SIX minutes now on n
third lap around the world
We never did see old Admiral again.
q the captain mourned him till his
Ing day."-Frank Presbrey In Chi.
20 Record-Herald.
% fret and fume is undignified, sui.
ally foolish and theologicaIIy I'm.