The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-04-14

however, seemed 70 pray fof the inttie
Marietta. which undoubtedly needed
II as much as the ouiidog.)
In the harbor 90 Rio de Janeiro on
the last day Of April the Oregon re-
cevied word that war had been de-
cisred. The crews went wild with
cheering. The band was on the deck
and the familiar strains OF The star
SDangied Banner waited over the
hrarillan feet aud h crowds on the
wharves. The men stood uncovered
cry of Remember tn Mainei' rose
with q roar.
The heat was Intense, but the crew.
without a murmur. began taking on
coal with a frenzy that bordcred on
desperation. In M harbor was the
Neitheroy. a small ship purchased
from Brazil. The oregon anchored
In ~mid-harbor while cosling and no.
titled the Brazilian government n
Spanish vessel that approached within
a half mile would be sunk. The Bra
lillian admiral kindly had a cruiser OF
his own patrol the hsrbor. Guards
were placed on the coal barges and
the coal was examined for bombs.
The news of Dewey's victory at
Manila Ray came on the afternoon Of
May 2 The crew broke into "a war
dance and the coal biackened mcn
cheered and danced until the harbor
rang with their eiee. The bans played
and the coal was handled more rapidly
than ever. Until late In the night
there was coal passing. dancing, cheer
ing and band music. There were
cheers for Dewey and everybody else.
while Captain Clark and his officers
were soiemniy and secretly consider.
ing his dispatch from the navy de-
partment:
-Four Spanish armored cruisers.
heavy and fast. three torpedo boat
destroyers. sailed April 20 from Caro-
de Verde 20 the west. destination I'M
known. Beware OF and study carefully
the situation. MUS be left to Nour
discretion entirely to avoid this fleet
and reach the United States by the
West Indies. You ran go when and
where you desire. Nietheroy n Mari
eta subject to orders Of yourself"
Pity for he Oregon.
The newspapers In Rio reported
Cervera's fleet and the Temerario
waiting outside the harbor. on the
morning of May 4 the oregon steamed
majesticaily out Of the hsrbor. to GER
tain destruction. az many people be-
lieved. The Brazilian admiral sent a
cruiser out ahead TO prevent an en-
gagement in neutral waters. but the
hostile boats were not TO be seen.
Captain Clark decided TO part COM
pany with his two smaller boats be-
cause they were too slow and the nee
essity would not permit delay.
Good by and good luck" the Mari
eta ~signaled. a. the oregon wen.
ahead at full steam. The following
day all hands were called aft and in
formed mat the Spanish fleet was
s%earching for the Oregon. Instead o'
lbelng depressed there was joyful
cheering. Decks were cleared for ar
ton and all woodwork was torn ~
and thrown overheard. Even the
pcnsive m Mahogany pilot house wa
torn down TO prevent It's being SET
abiaze by Spanish fire. Dun gray war
paint covered the White sides and
preparations were made TO throw all
boats overheard. Before leaving BraziI
she men had purchased red ribbons
which they made into hatbands bear
ing the words. Remember the Maine
in brass letters. Every Oregon mar
wore that motto through the war.
on May 8 Captain Clark cabled the
department from Bahia hat he he
/. lieved he could beat off or whip tn
, Spanish fleet in a running fight.
, The Plan OF Battle.
i The department replied nat there
was little doubt OF u. but he was again
advised 10 avoid the risk n possible
The captains plan II he encountered
the fleet was TO go ahead at forced
!, draft and head away from the enemy
, Nv stringing out the Spaniards IN
/. chase he planned TO sink their lead
1 ing vessel and then do the same ioI
| the rest. one al "A time. He was CON
fident tina not more than two Of th'
/. enemy could equal his speed. and Ia q
running fight he had little fear %
= being surrounded.
3 ON the night Of May u there was q
. mysterious occurrence that has never
( been explained. The OREGON wa
I steaming with all its lights out 4
D number. Of lights were sighted, al
. though a fleet were sailing Ia double
% column. silently, Captain Clark ~ail
p ed right through the my Sterious llghts
not a hundred yards away II is gen
3 orally supposed he had met IN
Spanish fleet, but the log uf the Colon
{ destroyed at Santiago, did not place
: the fleet in that location on the nigh
. in question.
: ON May 20 the oregon arrived q
J Jupiter Inlet. Fla, safe aud soGnd
? and two days later at Key West, siN
ity-cight days from san Francisco
THE nation rejoiced, hut the crew wa
y disappointed.
At the battle Of SANTIAGO, AdWrt
lCeryera found the shin he had beer
. hunting aud IL was the oregon TIA
loyerhauled him as he was escaping "i
his flagship. In that battle the ore
" eon played a mighty part and ~
, shells remembered the Maine quit'
satisfactorily.
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