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j Double Sheet j g-g====r ■ -j TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR. NC. 251 SAMPSON SILENGES SANTIAGO FORTS GUARDING SANTIAGO AND METHOD OF AMERICAN FLEET'S ATTACK Guarding one side of the narrow entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba is the old Morro, first erected in the days of the conquistadores. On the other bank is Scocapa castle, also dating back to the sixteenth century, when Santiago was the capital and principal city of all Cuba. Both these have, of course, been somewhat modernized and strengthened, but they are not supposed to be fit to withstand the assault of a modern fleet. But the entrance to the harbor is only about 600 feet wide, and the Spaniards have the advantage of a plunging fire. Inside these outer fortifications are the Punta Gorda battery and shore forts mounting some modern high-power guns. Washington. June 7« — At 7:15 this evening the navy department received a dispatch from Rear Admiral Sampson announcing that, between 7:30 and 10 oclock yesterday morning, he bombarded the Santiago fortifications and entirely silenced them. On Board the Associated Press Dispatch Boat Dandy, Off Santiago de Cuba, Monday noon, via Kings ton, Jamaica, Tuesday, June 7, noon.—The American fleet this morning engaged the Spanish batteries defending the en trance of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and after a three hours' bombardment, silenced nearly all the forts, destroyed several earthworks and rendered the Estrella and Cave bat teries, the two principal fortifications, useless. The fleet formed in double column, six miles off Morro Castle, at 6 oclock in the morning and steamed slowly three thousand yards off shore, the Brooklyn leading, followed by the Marblehead, Texas and Massachusetts, and turned west ward. The second line, the New York leading, with the New Orleans, Yankee, lowa and Oregon following, turned west ward. The Vixen and Suanee were far out on the left flank, watching the riflemen on shore. The Dolphin and Poiter did iiniilar duty on the right flank. The line headed by the New York attacked the new earthworks near Morro Castle. The Brooklyn column took up a station opposite the Estrella and Catalina batteries and the new earthworks along shore. The Spanish batteries remained silent. It is doubtful whether the Spaniards were able to determine the character of the movement, owing to the dense fog and heavy rain THE HERALD A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR which were the weather features this morning. Suddenly the lowa fired a 12-inch shot which struck the base of Estrella battery and tore up the works. Instantly firing began from both Admiral Sampson's and Commodore Schley's columns, and a torrent of shells from the ships fell upon the Spanish works. The Spaniards replied promptly, but their artillery work was of a very poor quality and most of their shots went wide. Smoke settled among the ships in dense clouds, rendering ac curate firing difficult. There was no maneuvering of the fleet, the ships remaining at their original station and firing steadily. The squadrons were so close in shore that it was difficult for the American gunners to reach the batteries on the hill tops, but their firing was excellent. Previous to the bombardment orders were issued to pre vent firing on Morro castle, as the American admiral had been informed that Lieut. Hobson and the other prisoners of the Merrimac are confined there, ln spite of this, hower, several stray shots damaged Morro castle somewhat. Commodore Schley's line moved closer in shore, firing at shorter range. The Brooklyn and Texas caused wild havoc among the Spanish shore batteries, quickly silencing them. While the latger ships were engaging the heavy batteries, the Suanee and the Vixen closed with the small inshore battery LOS ANGELES', WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 8, 1898 opposite them, raining rapid-fire shots upon it and quickly placing the battery out of the fight. The Brooklyn closed to 800 yards and then the destruc tion caused by her guns and those of the Marblehead and Texas was really seen. The woodwork of the Estrella fort was burning and the battery was silenced, firing no more during the engagement. Eastward, the New York and New Orleans silenced the Cayo battery in quick order and then shelled the earthworks located higher up. Later, the practice was not so accurate, owing to the elevation of the guns. Many of the shells, however, landed, and the Spanish gunners retired. Shortly after 9 oclock firing ceased, the warships turning in order to permit the use of the port batteries. The firing then became a long reverberating crash of thunder and the shells raked the Spanish batteries with terrible effect. Fire broke out in Catalina fort and silenced the Spanish guns. The firing of the fleet continued till 1 oclock, when the Spanish ceased firing entirely, and Admiral Sampson hoisted the " cease firing" signal. Generally the fire of the fleet was very destructive. Many of the earthworks were knocked to pieces and the Es trella and Catalina fortifications were so damaged that it is questionable whether they will be able to do any effective ' 1 1 -^JM Twelve Pages PRICE FIVE CENTS