Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-22
WRECK SAN MARCOS
Guns on the New Hampshire
Sink the Old Battleship.
OVER A THIRD OF SHOTS HIT
Broadside Delivered at Distances
Varying From Six to Seven and
One-Half Miles.

ON BOARD THE TORPEDO BOAT
STRINGHAM. Lower Chesapeake Bay,
March 22.-The San Marcos. formerly the
battleship Texas, was sunk yesterday by
broadsides from the battleship New Hamp-
shire after q day OF target practice. Not
since the Atlantic fleet returned from its
world-encircling cruise had Chesapeake
bay seen a more imposing naval pageant
| In addition to the thirteen battleships OF
the feet there were fiotillas OF torpedo
boat destroyers. torpedo boats and sub
marines. fleet OF golfers. repair ships
monitors and several small cruisers made
up the remainder Of the force that wit
messed the beginning OF the end OF the
San Marcos.
varying distance OF from six to seven
and one-half miles. More than one-third
| Of all the shots were said to have gone
true, although nothing official was given
out.
Ideal weather greeted the fleet yester-
day morning, when long before dawn five
observing officers from each of the thir-
teen battleships left in launches for the
New Hampshire.
In Distress After Seventh Volley.
A half hour after the sun had risen
three sighting shots were fired. All fell
short. Then, came twenty volleys.
All Of the broadsides were delivered
against the San Marcos while the attack
ing vessel was steaming back and forth
along the line at approximately a ten
knot speed. There was no slowing down
| or firing on the turn.
After the seventh broadside the Texas
plainly was in distress. The two naval
tugs that lay alongside the monitor ITALIA
hassee, on which were stationed the naval
observers, raced to her assistance. The
shells presumably had set the vessel
afire, for hose was run over the side ana
the engines were set to work pumping.
The San Marcos also had been driven
out of broadside range by the force OF
| the New Hampslfire's shells, and the tugs
straightened her out for her further or
deal. Twice afterward shells set the hulk
| afire.
Secretary Meyer. whose private yacht
| Dolphin was anchored near, made several
| trips to the shattered old ship during
pauses in the firing.
Nineteenth Vo1ley Decisive.
What was practically the finishing blow
came on the nineteenth broadside, when
| four twelve-inch and four eight-inch shells
were hurled at her just as the sun was
setting. The shots poured SO thick around
her that IT was impossible to determine
how many Of the eight struck the vessel.
A crashing of steel against the warshlp 8
| side just at the water line was followed
| by great cloud OF flying splinters OF
armor and q burst Of smoke
| By that time the San Marcos was listed
| far to port. Her big turret gun that faced
the enemy" was DETECTED, until IL looked
despalringiy into the waters of the bay.
Arrangements were begun at once TO
prepare the old warship in readiness for
further tests.
| Upon the conclusion of the examination
| by the expert observers as to the effect
Of the fire against the San Marcos, a re-
port will be made to Secretary Meyer.
Admiral Schroeder, In command of the
feet, declined fatty to discuss the effect
of the shell fire on the armor, the chick
ems and cats within the turrets.
Enthusiastic Over Workmanship.
The Secretary of the Navy and men,
| bers Of his official party. who observed
| the sinking Of the antiquated battle
ship San Marcos in the mud of Chesa-
peake bay yesterday while at the mercy
Of the experimental fire OF the formid-
able modern battleship New Hamp-
shire, returned to Washington today.
Naval officers generally were enthusi-
| astic today over the showing in marks
! manship made by the gunners of the
L
partment are awaiting with consider
able interest reports IN regard to the
exact effect of modern proJectiles lev
eled at modern armor at long range.
These are not yet available and Will
not be made until after detailed eX-
| animation of the sunken ship.
The sporting" practice, an essential
| part Of the test, demonstrated, naval ofti-
GERS say, the splendid accuracy OF the
gunners of the navy. Stimulating actual
t,of Ia hot
New Hampshire short of the San Marcos
and also beyond her with the purpose or
| locating the exact distance of the enc
my" Whenever the guns were aimed to
| nit, one officer declared, the New tiamp-
shire seemed to strike at will.
No effort is being MADE to raise the San
Marcos. but, lying in shallow water, she
| Is being made the target for further
sporting and ordnance tests today.