Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-07-07
THE ADMIRAL FLED
An Incident of the Great Naval
Battle Off Santiago.
SCARED BY THE FIRST SHOT

Tho 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.
'1t's remarkable thing" said the
captain, "that almost always in any
great event of exciting experience,
even one in which human lives are In
volved, there is likely to be some little
minor feature with humorous side to
it that will call forth smile, if not a
sudden burst Of laughter. 1t seems as II
in such trying moments ones feelings
seek quick vent and seize upon any
little incident as a safety valve"
This particular piece of philosophy
was expressed by the grim old captain
Of our steamer as we were lazily churn-
ing along the lower coast of Florida.
81 never get down on these southern
seas" continued the captain, without
thinking of that Sd of July, 1898, when
our fellows pushed the Spanish feet
up on the shore after their attempt to
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 ticklish
business, too, because no one really
knew up to 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 a
pack of hounds watching for fox to
come out of his hole. 1t was a great
sight, tell you! The smoke was lazi-
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 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.
l 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 to be steam1ng.
"After we had warped alongside and
the crew had begun carrying aboard
the consignment of bread, potatoes, on
ions and other stuff stepped into the
captains room to see if l could get
any comfort out Of the electric fan
which was working overtime. lad
Just spoken to old Admiral, the cap
hin's pet tOmcat-and huge fellow
he was-who was lying on the floor
stretched out as wide as possible, fair
ly gasping for air, when. holy mack
erel, there were conclusion and q
deafening roar which sent me sprawl
ing and nearly knocked my head of.
All 1 remember seeing that instant
was a big cat going almost to the
ceiling. with a tail as big around as
a 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 its
hole.
Tn 4y,s,f inc nj rsvf hfr1o
earth in the way Of activity seemed to
be doing. / rushed to the door, and
the thing that caught my eye was that
old tomcat going aft on the upper deck
like a streak of creased lightning, With
every sail set TO catch the wind and
fairly clawing at the deck in his effort
to make time.
'In almost less time than it has tax
en- to tell you that one shot had grown
into a deafening roar from almost ev-
cry gun in the feet that could bear on
the fox. Our lashings had been cut
loose, and away went the feet in that
dramatic rush to victory for US and
death to the Spaniards.
"As my captain and stood on the
bridge and watched the sight he turned
to me and said: Knight, I'm an old
man and haven't but Il few years more
to live at best. I'll give the rest Of
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 full
speed ahead.
"Say, but that was sight! No man
who saw it will ever forget 1t. The
race was all in front of us, the Span
iards running fol- cover and putting up
the best fight they could in their half
baked condition and our fellows plug
ging them fast and furiously.
1--WE followed until the fight was all
over and then came about to return to
Santiago. The captain gave orders to
serve supper in the officers mess, for
neither Of us In the excitement Of the
day had thought a thing about eating.
As we sat down to our meal he turned
to me and said: Knight, have you seen
my old tomcat Admiral? I've hunted
for him all over the Ship
"'Well.' I replied. pszssing out NY
watch and looking at It. II he has kept
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