The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1919-07-06
Famous Battleships Go to Junk Pile

WASHINGTON, July 6-Dcclslon
Of the navy department to break up
and sell for junk or usa for targets
twelve obsolete battleshlps marks
the passing OF a fleet OF vessels long
identified with many OF the most
glorious achievements OF tho new
American navy. They wrote many
bright pages into the country's naval
history during their years OF service
ana four OF them have participated
actively In two wars. The doomed
ships, including the famous old
spanish American war squadron
consisting OF the Oregon, Iowa. In
diana, and Massachusetts and the
more modern but hardly less famous
kentucky. kearsArge. Alabama, II
linois, Wisconsin. Ohio, Missouri and
Maine, composed one or the most.
II not the most powerful battleship
flee" In the world more than IS
years ago.
Foremost among the achievements
OF these famous old fighting craft
is the part played in the Spanish
American war. Tho oregon, which
had been commissioned At san Fran
cisco IN July 1895. was at Mare
Island navy yard I'm 1898 when the
message was flashed 20 her COM
mnnder that the United states was
lt war with Spain on March q,
1898 tho famous old ship cleared
the Golden Gate, bound for the West
Indies, on what proved 20 be the
most epoch making hattleship yoy-
age ever undertaken with decks
stripped Tor action and gun crews
AZ their stations tho oregon plowed
around Cape Horn, up the east
coast ot South America and arrived
AZ Key Wcst on May 20, ready FOR
action. having made the $4,000 mile
voyage IN 6S cruising days Captain
q r Clark, the OrCgon's command
ing officer. was ordered 10 take his
ship 90 Santiago and there Join the
hlockadinE squadron which was
awaiting battle with the Spanish
fleet
In the meantime the Iowa. Mass
achuscus and indiana, sistor ships
Of the oregon, were attached TO tho
north Atlantic fleet and had already
arrived or Cuba. the MaRsaChusetts
being part Of the famous flying
squadron" under command of Com
modore Schley
Cruise Of the Oregon.
The oregon. already famous
throughout the world for her glor-
ibls and succcSStul VOYAGE 10 Join
the American fleet in time for the
impending battle. gained greater
glory IN the action Off Santiago Dc
cuba ON Sunday. July 3 1898 when
Spanish sea power was forever hum
hlod and the liberation of the Phil
lppincs and Cuba assured In mat
now historic sea fight. the oregon
ran tho NiEcaya. pride Of tho Span.
lsh fleet ashore after rihdhnE the
craft with hlts from her s and l3-
inch guns and then engaged IN a
running fight With the Colon which
surrendered after having been cut
or from tho open sea by the oregon
and forced to head for the beach 4
shot A. the Colon from one uf the
preRon's l3-inch guns was the last
shot fired during the battle.
both the Indiana and the Iowa
participated In the battle ot Santi-
ago. the Massachusetts, having gone
20 Guantanamo to .cotl on the day
81 the engagement The crew NJ the
Massachusetts, muth disappointed al
having missed the fEht gained re-
v,uCo the next night when that yes
30, and the. old hnttIeshlp Texas on
ragod and sunk the Spanish Cruiser
Rciua Mercedes aa that vessel at
tempted TO escape from the harhor
al Santiago
The Massachusetts was the rag
ship OF the naval vessels In charge