Evening star., 1938-05-01
DECADES SINCE MANILA
Deweys Brilliant Victory Stirred Worldwide Recognition of
Americas High Rank Among the Powers-Navy Today
Recalls Defeat of Spain in East.
By James Nevin Miller.

BY James Nevin Miller.
OX you may fire when ready,
7 0z,s,s.." ride. x.-. III. word,
heard around the world on
Sunday, May /, 1898. They rank
with the most famous in all-American
naval history, for they marked the
beginning of Commodore George
Dewey's brilliant victory at Manila
Bay over the Spanish feet an
achievement which gave the United
States worldwide recognition as one
of the principal sea powers of the
East.
Today the 10th anniversary of that
epic sea battle is being celebrated in
our Navy. There will be no formal
pomp or ceremony. But Navy men
everywhere viii be reminded of the
occasion in a way that will command
their undying respect.
At the Battle of Manila Bay, Dewey's
flagship. the Olympia, led the attack
on the ships of the Spanish squadron.
Admiral Dewey in his autobiography
states:
"At $40, when we were within
distance of 5000 yards. I turned to
Capt. Gridley and said. You may fire
when ready, Gridley,' While I re-
manned on the bridge with Lamberton,
Brumby and Stickney, Gridley took his
station in the coming tower and gave
the order to the battery The very
first gun to speak was an 8-inch shell
from the forward turret of the Olym-
pia, and this was the signal for all the
other ships In my squadron to join in
the action"
The action lasted from Sal am.
with an interruption Of three hours) |
until 1880 pm, and ended in the |
destruction OF the enemy's vessels.
INCIDENTALLY, two bills are up be-
fore Congress today for the pres
ervation of the Olympia as a perma-
nent memorial to be located at the
Washington Navy Yard At the mo-
ment it looks extremely doubtful that
either one has chance to pass, the
main reason being that the vessel
would cost large sum of money to
make her shipshape again, a situation
that is officially frowned upon by high
ranking Navy officials. 1t seems prob
able, furthermore, that the Olympia,
now rotting at the Philadelphia Navy
Yard, will be junked within the very
near future.
What happened to the outstanding
officers, 81 all told, who served in the
Battle Of Manila Bay, especially those
who were on the flagship Olympia?
Most Of them had distinguished ca
seer In the Navy and won high rank.
First Of all, let's look into the
achievements Of Dewey's personal
staff. His chief of staff, Comdr. Ben
jamin P. Lamberton, reached the
rank Of rear admiral before he died
IN 1912. Like many other disting-
uished sons Of the Navy he had a
destroyer named for him Tin 1879.
He earned this homer. 1t will be re-
called that Lamberton commanded the
U. S. s. Boston during the Battle of
Manila Bay, and right after the
naval struggle he went ashore with
his men and took possession of the
Cavite Arsenal. Later he was given
command Of the Olympia. Lamberton
was advanced seven numbers for his
conspicuous gallantry at Manila Bay.
TN COMMAND Of the Olympia at
Manila was Capt. Charles v. Grid
ley. Though Ill at the time of the
battle. he refused TO be relieved of
duty and helped Dewey direct the
movements Of his vessel Immediately
afterward, Gridley was ordered home
on sick leave. He took passage on the
Zaflro and was escorted to sea by the
Concord amid the cheers of the entire
squadron.
He was taken to the Zafiro by the
boats crew of officers with 1t Comdr.