Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-09

4 as they advanced south. The advance of
the seamen was opposed by continuous
and concealed rife fire difficult to locate.
1t came principally from Benito Juarez,
Quartet in Plaza Constitution, the Naval
Academy, Artillery Barracks. and from
the roofs and windows of houses in this
section of the city along the waterfront
THE second seaman regiment under
| Captain Anderson, Il. s. Navy, was
marched toward the waterfront and in
front of the Newmarket Naval school
| and Artillery Barracks. In crossing the
open ground between the Naval School
and Benito Juarez Lighthouse, about $50
yards in width, they were met by
heavy rifle, one-pounder, and machine
gun-fire from the Naval school building.
This situation looked critical. The Ches-
ter, Prairie, and San Francisco simulta-
neously opened fire with 3-inch, 4-inch
and 5-inch batteries against the second
| story of the Naval school building. In
short time the upper story was riddled
by 40 shots and the fire slenced.
Our forces advanced steadily through
the city. entering houses from which
they were being fired upon and disarm-
ing the occupants. The Chester from a
favorable position commanding the
southern part of the city, shelled the
enemy out of houses along the water
front, old Fort Santiago and from the
vicinity of the Military Barracks By
HOO A NJ. our forces were in COM
plete possession of all parts of the city
and fighting had practically ceased.
THE following signal was sent to the
cruisers, Chester, Prairie, San Francisco
and to Brigade Headquarters on shore:
The Division commander desires to
express his appreciation and admiration
for the splendid and efficient work of the
naval brigade In their capture of the city
of Vera Cruz and the efficient support
given them by the cruisers in the har-
Dor reflect great credit on the accuracy
of fire of their gunners.
"'(Sd) FLETCHER
1.-THE Atlantic Fleet under command Of
Rear Admiral Barger approached the
harbor of Vera Cruz on the night of the
21st at full speed all ready to land and
came to anchor in the outer harber sew
eral hours ahead of the expected time.
am not allowed to commend my SUI
perior officer but I think it only proper
to say in this report that Rear Admiral
Badger during the Naval operations on
shore at Vera Cruz afforded me the most
prompt and willing assistance, and my
slightest request or Recommendation or
call for aid was in all cases met with
immediate compliance, and Ii is a great
pleasure for me to record the thorough
~ fine and generous spirit that was
shown by him and his staff in their
hearty support of the work on shore.
Work of the cruisers Prairie, Chester.
San Francisco:
1.-THE Prairie remained moored in the
inner harbor with steam up in a position
to cover the landing of troops and con-
troll the water front in vicinity of the
Consulate between Pier No. and SAM
tary Pier at the Lighthouse. During the
afternoon of the 2lst the Prairie had
occasion to silence the firing coming
from the Naval Academy. the Market
building nearby, from a barge alongside
the custom house wharf, and from a
small frame house near Sanitary Pier.
This was done by few well-aimed shots
from the 3-inch guns and Colts auto
matte which riddled the frame structure.
"At SEQ P. NJ the San Francisco was
directed by radio TO enter the inner
harbor and was warned against rifle fire
from the breakwater at the entrance and
aIongshore. She came in at 900 P. NJ.
without pilot or assistance of navi-
gational lights, anchored near the Prai-
rie and shifted berth to the moorinGs as
signed. receiving a signal, We'll done
THE Chester arrived from Tampico
100 midnight the 21st. She entered har-
Dor with all lights screened and cleared
for action, with marines stationed along
deck for rife fire. She promptly took up
moorings in assigned position off SAM
tary Pier and was signaled, Well done
Both Commanding officers reported on
board Prairie, received instructions as
to disposition of our forces and general
instructions relative to gunfire from their
ships. Ii was not desired to cause any
more destruction of property than was
necessary to protect our men ashore, ana
buildings to be fired upon only when IL
was ascertained that they were being
used by the Mexicans as defensive posi-
tions from which they directed fire upon
our troops This plan was most effee-
tiyely and efficiently carried out by the
commanding officers of all three ships
N'--
necessarily.
1.-The Chester was moored inshore near
est to the firing and at dawnbreak rifle
firing was directed from small tugs ana
| barges near No. breakwater. This was
returned with rifle fire but had to be ST.
fenced by a 3-inch gun. Later hring
| from a number of points in this section
| of the city was located and both 3-inch
and 5-inch guns of the Chester had to be
used to silence it.
"Soon after the final advance of the
| landing forces into the city which COM
menced about $50 A. NJ. of the I'D, the
Second Regiment consisting of the bat
talions of the New Hampshire, South
Carolina, Vermont and New Jersey
marched across the open space between
the lighthouse and the Naval Academy
passing to the southwark. When our
men met with heavy fire most of them
dropped prone on the ground or against
lower walls of the Naval school and IN
stantIy the guns of the Chester PRAIRIE
and San Francisco opened fire. The mr.
ing was very accurate, directly over the
a,aads Of our men and in a short space