Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-06-28
An incident of the Great Naval
Battle Off Santiago.
SCARED By THE FIRST SHOT


It that will call forth a smile. II not a
sudden burst Of laughter. It seems AZ II
in such trying moments ones feelings
seek a 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'
bng along the lower coast Of Florida.
II never get down on these southern
seas" continued the captain. without
thinking Of that Sd Of July. 1893, when
our fellows pushed the Spanish deet
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 1t was t1ckl1sh
business. too. because no one really
knew up to the last few days Just
where the Spanish feet actually was.
0uU we cApeV'NCO ~ US VVVA A00ASN 0AA<S
captured almost any time.
This particular trip had been an
eventfuI one. and after rounding Cape
Maisi. on the eastern end Of Cuba. we
soon sighted our splendid 6eet Of light
ers ranged In that fatal semicircie
round the entrance of Santiago like a
pack OF hounds watching for q fox to
come out Of his hole. It was great
sight. l tell you! The smoke was lazt-
" 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 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 l stepped into the
captains room to see II could get
any comfort out Of the electric fan
which was working overtime. had
Just spoken to old Admiral. the cap
tain's pet tomcat-and huge fellow
be was-who was Lying on the door
stretched out as wide as possible. fair
" gasping for air. when. holy mack
erel. there were a conclusion and q
deafening roar which sent me sprawl
ing and nearly knocked my head Oh.
All l remember seeing that instant
was a big cat going almost to the
ceiling. with tail as big around a.
a grapefruit and every leg. claw and
hair standing straight out The Ore
gon had let 60 one of its big forward
turret guns right alongside Of 10. for
the Spanish fox had started out of its
hole.
I'm Just one instant everything on
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 streak of creased lightning. with
every sail set to catch the wind and
fairly clawtng at the deck in his effort
to make time.
I'm 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.
las my captain and l stood on the
bridge and watched the sight be turned
to me and said: Knight. I'm an old
man and haven't but 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
EN- And he gave the signal for full
speed ahead
Say. but that was sight! No man
WHO I'd" u Will ever lOIScI IL. A0S
race was all in front Of s. the Span.
iards running for cover and putting up
the best fight they could in their half
baked condition and our fellows plug
ging them fast and furiously.
I'VE 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 bad thought a thing about eating.
As we sat down to our meal be turned
to me and said: Knight. have you seen
my old tomcat Admiral? I've hunted
for him all over the ship
"'Well.' replied. pulling out my
watch and looking at It. If be has kept
up be pace he was making when saw
him last going aft on the upper deck
hes due In about six minutes now on
his third lap around the world
I'VE never did zee old Admiral again.
and the captain ,nourned him till bis
dying dav" Frnnk Preebrey In Chi