The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-17

perils of the undertaking. and few
! there were who did not expect the
| ship leading the line of advance to be
blown up at any moment.
The forts failed to discover the en-.
| envy. and Dewey kept straight on
The narrowest point of the inlet was
passed. and still the entering feet had
not been discovered. But where was
the enemy? 1t was fourteen minutes
past l when rocket was sent up by
one OF the forts and from the west
came flash OF light and the heavy
boom of a cannon. The battle was on.
EXCHANGE SHOTS WITH
GUNNERS OF THE FORTS
Darkness hung over the bay as the
gray fleet exchanged shots with the
incompetent gunners of the forts. A
strict lookout was kept for the Span
ish torpedo boats. The speed of the
American feet was reduced to three
knots and great caution was taken
to avoid the deakh dealing mines sup
posed to be so numerous in the har-
Dor, When the morning sun rose
there, right before the American ships
and under the guns or Cavite, lay the
Spanish fleet 1t consisted of seven
cruisers, five gunboats and two tor
pedo boats The Americans had two
gunboats, four cruisers and one cutter.
The Spanish were assisted by the
powerful land batteries. as well as
by their knowledge of the surround
ing waters. The batteries OF Cavite
and of the Reina Cristina. Admiral
Montojos flagship. opened with their
guns on the American fleet. which,
however. kept on its course.
When within 5000 yards of the
Spanish feet the word was given to
fire. The battle line passed the whole
length of the Spanish fleet, which had
remained at anchor. The Spanish re-
astray and very little damage was
done to Dewey's fleet. The American
line swung around and sailed past the
Spaniards again, keeping up a deadly
flow of shells While the battle was
on the Reina Cristina moved out of
the Spanish line and headed direct
for the American flagship. The Olym-
pia hurled a tornado of steel into
the approaching vessel. which. riddled
with shot and with great gaping holes
in her side, turned and made for the
shore.
AMERICAN SHIPS GIVE
GOOD ACCOI VT OF SELVES.
Meanwhile the Raleigh had dis
ahled two of the Spanish cruisers. The
Petrol In like manner had engaged
IN Ugnt Win TWO tOTpfuo Dodts. 'hF
Of these sought refuge in small
inlet. where her crew abandoned her
and she was blown 10 pieces by the
guns of the Petrol. The other tor
pedo boat braved the shot and she'll
and advanced to within 500 yards Of
the Olympia, threatening the flagship
with its deadly torpedoes. The Petrol
sent a shell into the Spaniards. An
explosion took place and the little
vessel went silently to the bottom.
The Baltimore entered into battle
with the Castillo and left the latter
blazing wreck.
When the fighting stopped for the
night commanders of the various ves-
sells came aboard the Olympia to re-
port to Dewey. 1t was learned that
not ship was disabled, not cannon
out of order. not man killed or in
jured.
Many miraculous escapes were mar
rated. and II was remarked that but
the hand of Providence and the poor
craftsmanship of the Spaniards pre-
vented serious casualties.
AT dayhreak the battle was renewed
Admiral Montoto had meanwhile trans
forred his flag to the Isla de Cuba. The
Baltimore. ignorant of the change OF
fagships. advanced to within $500
yards of the Reina Cristins. the former
flagship. The American cruiser fred
broadside into her opponent. and
when the smoke cleared away the
Spaniards bow shot high into the air
and her huh sank gradually beneath
the waves.