The White Squadron.
It was the 19th of April. An American fleet lay in the harbor of
Hong-Kong, where it had been anchored for nearly a month, impatiently
awaiting the command that should send it to battle.
There was feverish expectation of war, and bustle of preparation,
and Commodore Dewey nervously walked the deck; for, every moment the
longed-for order was expected.
It was the 19th of April, and the White Squadron lay gleaming in
the sunlight,--and yet by the night of the 20th the White Squadron
was no more; for she had exchanged the snowy garb of peace for the
sombre gray of war. The ships' painters had, in this short time,
given the entire fleet a significant coating of drab.
The English steamer Nanshan, with over three thousand tons of
Cardiff coal, and the Steamer Zafiro, of the Manila-Hong-Kong line,
carrying 7,000 tons of coal and provisions, had just been bought
by the Commodore, in anticipation of a declaration of neutrality,
which would preclude such purchases, and thus two more vessels were
added to the fleet, Lieutenant Hutchins being made commander of the
Nanshan, and Ensign Pierson of the Zafiro. The Zafiro was then made
a magazine for the spare ammunition of the fleet.
Hong-Kong, for strategic reasons, had been chosen as a place of
rendezvous for the Asiatic Squadron.
Declaration of War, and Journey to the Philippines.
On April 25th war was declared between the United States and Spain,
and, at the request of the acting-Governor of Hong-Kong, the American
fleet steamed away to Mirs Bay, about thirty miles from Hong-Kong. On
April 26th the revenue cutter McCulloch, which had been left at
Hong-Kong, brought the desired message. It read as follows:
Washington, April 26th.
Dewey, Asiatic Squadron: Commence operations at once, particularly
against the Spanish fleet. You must capture or destroy them.
McKinley.
"Thank God!" said the Commodore. "At last we've got what we want. We'll
blow them off the Pacific Ocean."
And now the fleet was headed direct for Manila, a distance of 628
miles; and, with hearts beating high with hope, the sailors cheered
lustily for Old Glory and the Navy Blue.
In the squadron were the following vessels: Olympia, flagship, Captain
C. V. Gridley, commanding; Boston, Captain Frank Wildes; Concord,
Commander Asa Walker, and the Petrel, Commander E. P. Wood. The
Raleigh, Captain J. B. Coughlan, commanding, and the Baltimore,
commanded by Captain N. M. Dyer, also joined the squadron.
All these vessels were cruisers. The single armored ship in the
squadron was the Olympia; and the armor--four inches thick--was around
the turret guns.
In making the journey to the Philippines a speed of only eight knots
was maintained; for the transport ships could not make fast headway
against the rolling sea.
During this run, gun-drills and other exercises kept the men busy,
and every minute was employed in earnest preparation for what all
knew was to come.
Luzon Sighted, and Preparations for Battle.
It was on Saturday morning, April the 30th, that Luzon was sighted, and
final preparations for the battle were immediately made. Impedimenta
of all kinds were thrown overboard,--chairs, tables, chests and
boxes,--and the ships were stripped and made ready for action. It
was intensely warm, and the most ordinary evolutions proved exhausting.
The Boston, the Concord, and the Baltimore were now sent ahead to
discover whether the Spanish fleet was anywhere around.
After looking in at Bolinao Bay, these three vessels cautiously
approached Subig Bay, about 30 miles from Manila. However, only a
few small trading-vessels were here discovered, though it had been
reported that the enemy intended to give the Americans battle there.
When the scouting ships reported that the enemy was nowhere in sight,
the Commodore replied: "All right, we shall meet them in Manila Bay." A
war-council was then held on the Olympia, and the American commander
told his officers that he intended to enter Manila Bay that very night.
The squadron then slowly proceeded in the direction of Manila. It was
a sultry evening, and the yellow moon paved the waves with a pathway
of gold, that seemed like a glorious avenue to victory.
Fearing that they might come upon the enemy at any moment, the men
were posted at their guns, and, with the greatest quietness, the fleet
steamed stealthily forward. The lights on all the ships were put out,
save the one at the stern, and so the squadron slipped into the bay,
each moment dreading a challenge from the strongly-fortified batteries
that the Americans had been taught to believe were located at every
point along the entrance.
The speed was now increased to eight knots; for the Commodore wished
to be as far inside as possible before his presence was discovered.
Through the dangerous channels, mined with death-hurling torpedoes,
swept the silent squadron, grim and spectre-like. Well did the
Americans know the dangers of this undertaking; and few there were
that did not momentarily expect some exploding mine to hurl them
into eternity.
Then Corregidor Island, with its lofty lighthouse, came within view,
and the ships swept into the chief channel, known as the Boca Grande.
The Commodore, having so far failed to discover the presence of the
enemy, naturally concluded that the Spanish fleet was lying at Cavité,
where it would have the advantage of the protection of the forts and
the shore-batteries.
The Fleet Sails by Corregidor.
And thus, with a full appreciation of the thousand and one dangers,
known and unknown, that beset his path, Dewey kept straight by
Corregidor.
It was eleven o'clock, and the men of the fleet, which was now
almost past the island, were congratulating themselves that they were
undiscovered when a solitary rocket soared over the lofty lighthouse;
there was an answering light from the shore, and every moment the
Americans expected the boom of the Spanish guns, long primed with a
deadly welcome for the "Yankee pigs."
The narrowest part of the inlet had been passed, and still no sign
that the entering fleet had been discovered. Impressive, indeed, was
that long line of gloomy hulls, steering for battle, and courting
destruction. The Olympia, the Baltimore, the Raleigh, the Petrel,
the Concord, and the Boston, with the two transports the Nanshan
and the Zapiro, convoyed by the McCulloch, on the flag-ship's port
quarter--all kept on in the same straight course, while the men on
board were partaking of light refreshment. For all felt that a great
day's work was before them.
But where are the enemy? was the thought uppermost in every mind. For
to the Americans themselves it seemed that they were surely making
enough noise to be heard by the sentries on the shore. Doubtless they
were asleep, dreaming a Spanish dream of mañana.
It was shortly past eleven o'clock, when from the smokestack of the
convoy McCulloch flew a shower of sparks. A fireman had thrown open
the furnace-doors and shoveled in a few pounds of soft coal.
This was evidently seen by some one on shore, for it was just fourteen
minutes past eleven when a bugle sounded an alarm, and from the west
came a blinding glare, a shrill whistle overhead, and the heavy boom
of a cannon.
First Shot of the War.
It was the first shot of the war, and it was fired with characteristic
Spanish inaccuracy.
Again the battery thundered; and then a third time, before there was
a reply from the American fleet. The Raleigh, which was the third
vessel in the line, was the first to speak for the American side,
and then the Boston followed, with stentorian roar, and the battle
was on. Again the battery sent its deadly missive over the fleet,
and this time the Concord, taking its aim by the flash, responded by
throwing a six-inch shell into the Spanish fort. A crash and a cry
and all was still. It was learned afterward that considerable damage
was done by this wonderfully accurate shot, several of the Spanish
gunners being killed.
The Boston and the McCulloch fired another round or two; but the
forts had evidently had enough of it: they were no longer heard from.
Meanwhile, the squadron continued its course, though its speed was
reduced to about three knots an hour, the Commodore not wishing to
arrive at Manila before dawn.
A gray darkness hung over the harbor as the gray procession glided
noiselessly in. Had a Spanish scout been on the lookout, it would
scarcely have been possible for him to have distinguished his
approaching enemy. A strict lookout was kept for the Spanish ships
and for the dreaded torpedo boats, while most of the men lay down by
their guns to get a little sleep. But with the terrible fate of the
Maine vivid in their memories, the more imaginative ones conjured up
a shuddering sense of insecurity in a harbor supposed to be literally
planted with destructive mines.
The Spanish Fleet is Sighted.
This invisible foe--and not the longed-for and expected combat with the
enemy's fleet--was feared by the brave Americans, and when the morning
sun, in all his tropical splendor, rose right before the Americans,
under the guns of Cavité lay the Spanish fleet. The Americans were
at last face to face with the enemy.
The commander-in-chief of the Spanish squadron was Rear-Admiral
Patricio Montojo y Pasaron; the second in command was the Commandante
General Enrique Sostoa y Ordennez.
Under Admiral Montojo's command were the following vessels:
Reina Cristina, flagship, armored cruiser, Captain L. Cadarso
commanding, 3,500 tons; battery six 6.2-inch; two 2.7-inch; six
6-pounders; and six 3-pounder rapid-fire guns; speed, 17.5 knots;
crew 400 officers and men.
Castilla, Captain A. M. de Oliva, commanding; 3,334 tons; battery,
four 5.9-inch; two 4.7-inch; two 3.3-inch; four 2.9-inch, and eight
6-pounder rapid-fire guns; speed, 14 knots; crew, 300.
Isla de Cuba, Captain J. Sidrach, and Isla de Luzon, Captain J. de
la Herian; 1,030 tons each; battery, four 4.7 inch; four 6-pounder
and two 3-pounder rapid-fire guns; speed, 14 knots; crew, 200 men each.
General Lezo, Commander R. Benevento, and Marques del Duero, Commander
S. Morena Guerra; the former was 524, the latter 500 tons; batteries,
two 4.7 inch; one 3.5 inch, and two 3-pounder rapid-fire guns; speed,
11 knots; crew, 100.
Altogether the Americans had four cruisers, two gunboats, one cutter,
fifty-seven classified big guns, seventy-four rapid-firing guns and
machine guns, and 1808 men.
On the other side were seven cruisers, five gunboats, two torpedo
boats, fifty-two classified big guns, eighty-three rapid-firing and
machine guns, and 1,948 men.
It will thus be seen that the Americans had a few more heavy guns;
but the Spanish had several more ships and over a hundred more
men. They were also assisted by the powerful land-batteries, and
by the knowledge of the exact distance of the American ships. For
the latter had no range-marks with which to determine the proper
elevation to be given to their sights. In the American squadron,
moreover, was not a single armored cruiser; besides, the Spaniards
were at their base of supplies, while Commodore Dewey was more than
six thousand miles away from all aid.
Such were the numbers and the disposition of the combatants now about
to fight.
Dewey Attacks the Enemy.
With Old Glory flying at every masthead, and with the beating of
drums, the American squadron, after a brief reconnoitering detour
in the harbor, sailed in a straight line past the fleet of the
enemy. Each ship was to hold its fire until near enough to inflict
the most damage, when as many shots should be fired as possible. Then
to steam as quickly as possible out of effective range; to wheel and
return--keeping close to the opposite shore--to the original point
of starting, when the same manoeuvre was to be repeated--and so again
and again till the enemy was destroyed or defeated.
On the Spanish fleet, too, all was bustle and preparation; the national
flag, that symbol of mediæval tyranny, floated from every masthead, the
Admiral's flag on the Reina Cristina being the cynosure of all eyes.
The Americans had left their supply-ships behind, and their
fleet, according to pre-arranged plan, steamed slowly past the
enemy. Meanwhile, the batteries of Cavité kept up an incessant roar,
and now Montojo's flagship thundered a deadly welcome; while over the
American flagship was hoisted a code-flag, with the watchword "Remember
the Maine!" This was the signal for a concerted yell from the sailors
in the fleet. And thus with colors flying, and with fire reserved
till a closer range should make it more effective, the Commodore and
his brave officers bore down toward the Spaniards, who were awaiting
their approach with curiosity not unmixed with alarm, at the same time
they sent a thunderous fusillade as a greeting to the hated Yankees.
But the Americans, undeterred, grimly kept their course,
notwithstanding one or two mines exploded beneath the water,--one
near the Raleigh and one beside the Baltimore. Again and again the
Spanish guns thundered, until the roar became incessant and shells
were bursting all around.
When about six thousand yards the Commodore shouted to Captain
Gridley, who was in the conning tower: "Fire, as soon as you get
ready, Gridley."
Hardly had he given the word--which also was passed down the line--when
the whole ship shivered, and the eight-inch gun in the front turret
burst into a sheet of flame, while a dull muffled roar belched forth,
that awoke the apparent torpor of the whole fleet to instant activity.
The Baltimore and the Boston now took up the cue, and sent
their tremendous shells crashing into the enemy, who replied
vociferously. The din was deafening, and over and around all the
American ships was the shriek and scream of terrifying shells. Some
of these fell upon the decks, some smashed into the woodwork; but--as
if providentially--not an American was hit.
"Open with all the guns," signaled the Commodore; and all the ships
joined together in a roaring chorus, as if Cerberus and all the dogs
of hell had opened their mighty throats.
And thus with incessant firing, the battle-line passed the whole
length of the stationary Spanish fleet, then slowly swang round and
began the return to its starting-point, keeping up the same flash
and clatter, the Spaniards responding furiously. It was at this time
that a shot passed clean through the Baltimore, though, fortunately,
no one was hurt. Lieutenant Brumbuys had the signal halyard shot out
of his hands; while on the Boston a shell burst in the state-room of
Ensign Dodridge, and another passed through the Boston's foremast.
During the third round the Raleigh was carried by the strong current
against the bows of two of the Spanish cruisers, where all aboard
seemed too bewildered to take advantage of their opportunity. Captain
Coughlan, however, did not lose his presence of mind, but poured a
destructive broadside into the enemy. His vessel was then carried
back into the line.
The Fate of the Reina Cristina.
While this fierce combat was waging, the Reina Cristina moved out of
the Spanish line and made direct for the American flagship, which
hurled a perfect tornado of lead into the approaching cruiser,
her immense hulk being soon riddled with large holes, where the
eight-inch shells had entered. The port-bridge, where Admiral Montojo
was standing, was also struck; but he bravely stuck to his post,
while ton after ton of steel fell upon the deck.
No ship, however, could withstand such a fire, and the gallant Reina
Cristina turned round and made for the shore. As she swang round,
Captain Gridley gave her a parting shot, that caused her to tremble
and stagger, while the 250-pound shell crashed through the bowels of
the ship and there exploded, hurling its deadly contents all round,
while from the shattered deck rose columns of steam, mingled with
human fragments. The ship, now completely disabled, continued her
retreat. Sixty of her crew had been killed, and had she continued
longer within the Americans' range, all would have met a like fate.
Meanwhile, the little Petrel was engaged in a duel with two Spanish
torpedo boats, headed for the American line. One of these she chased
to the shore, where the crew sought shelter in the woods, while their
abandoned vessel was blown into pieces by the daring American. The
other advanced to within 500 yards of the Olympia, braving the storm
of shot and shell that threatened to overwhelm her. As it was, a shell
ploughed its way into her middle, where it exploded. From stern to
beam she shivered, gave a forward plunge, and sank beneath the waves.
The Baltimore, too, was engaged in an encounter with the Castilla,
that resulted most disastrously to the latter; for she was soon a
blazing wreck.
Five times the American fleet passed in front of the enemy, keeping
up the same deadly fire, that showed only too well the results of
American training and marksmanship. And though the Spanish guns in
the ships and the forts ceased rattling not one instant, they neither
disconcerted nor damaged in the least the Americans. It was now a
quarter of eight, and so dense was the smoke hanging over the waters,
that it was impossible for the Americans to distinguish not alone
the enemy's ships, but their own vessels, and the signals, too.
The Commodore Pipes All Hands to Breakfast.
The Commodore now wisely concluded to stop for awhile the fighting,
and allow his men a chance to take some breakfast; for the brave
fellows, after their morning's hard work, were hungry as wolves;
so the signal "cease firing" was given, and the ships were headed
for the eastern side of the bay, near the transport ships.
It is related that the Spaniards were exceedingly relieved when they
saw the Americans in--as they thought--full retreat, and many of them
stood on the decks and cheered, thinking they had gained the victory.
When the various commanders came on board to report to Commodore Dewey,
it was found that not a ship was disabled, not a gun out of order, not
a man killed or injured. It is true, Frank B. Randall, the engineer
of the McCulloch, died from heart-disease as the fleet steamed past
Corregidor, but this was not in any wise due to the engagement. Many
miraculous escapes, indeed, are related; and it is really wonderful
that no serious casualties took place. The sailors, as may easily be
imagined, were nearly wild with joy; and as all hands were piped to
breakfast, the decks were gay with merry jackies improvising a dance
of victory; while the strains of Yankee Doodle and the Star-Spangled
Banner filled the morning air. Cheery was that breakfast, and sweet,
ah, sweet was the three hours' rest so nobly earned.
The Americans Renew the Battle.
At 10.45 the boatswains' whistles and the drums announced the renewal
of the battle. Instantly every man was at his post, eager to finish
the job so well begun. Again the American squadron was headed to ward
the enemy's battle line; but several of the Spanish ships were now
almost disabled, the Cristina and the Castilla were both on fire,
and the Mindanao beached not far from Cavité.
Admiral Montojo had meanwhile transferred his flags to the Isla de
Cuba; and the Baltimore, leaving the American line, made straight
for his former flagship, which threw a torrent of shells toward
the intrepid American. The Baltimore, however, notwithstanding
that a few of these deadly missiles exploded on her deck, wounding
eight of her crew, continued her course till within 2500 yards
of her antagonist. Then from her decks she fired a broadside at
the Spaniard. There was an ominous silence for a minute or two,
and both Spaniards and Americans waited anxiously for the smoke to
lift. Suddenly, all saw a sight that struck every man in both fleets
with terror, for it seemed the probable fate of all. The Cristina shot
into the air and then fell back upon the waves with a thunderous crash,
while a thousand fragments of men and timbers--promiscuously mingled
in awful confusion--were whirling through the air. Down into the waves
she sank--that gallant man-of-war--the pride of the Spanish fleet--down
into the deep blue sea. Upon the surface, amid tons of floating débris,
a hundred sailors struggled for life; many sank to rise no more;
some, however, succeeded in reaching one of the adjacent consorts.
The Baltimore, aided by the Olympia and the Raleigh, now kept up
a deadly fire on the Juan de Austria; which answered this terrible
fusillade with intermittent volleys, that spoke well for the courage,
but poorly for the aim, of her gunners.
It was at this moment that the Raleigh sent a shell crashing through
the other's centre, exploding her magazine; in an instant she seemed
a crater of flame, and sank back like the Cristina, a total wreck. Her
flying fragments also inflicted such damage upon the gunboat El Correo,
which lay beside her, that she was completely disabled. The Petrel
gave her a finishing shot, that closed her brief career. Another
Spanish gunboat, the General Lezo, also set out to accomplish great
things, but the Concord, with a few good shots, put a quietus upon
her warlike ambition, and, like her sister ships, she too was soon
a floating wreck.
Meanwhile, the Boston was engaged in a duel with the Velasco. Captain
Wildes, of the former, stood on the bridge of his ship vigorously
fanning with a palm-leaf fan; for it was a hot morning and it was the
captain's policy to keep cool. The Velasco responded to the Boston's
broadsides but feebly. Then with a plunge she careened to one side
and sank heavily, her crew having scarcely enough time to escape to
the adjacent shore. The Castilla had already been set on fire and
scuttled by her crew, to prevent her magazine from exploding.
The Don Antonia de Ulloa, which was engaged with the Olympia and
the Boston, though riddled with shells and on fire in a dozen places,
refused to surrender. Her gallant commander Robion stuck to his ship to
the very last; then she sank with colors flying, a signal example of
Spanish bravery. Another vessel had hauled down her flag, but when a
boat's crew from the McCulloch approached to take possession of her,
she treacherously fired on them. Suddenly, from every ship in the
American fleet there thundered a swift and awful retribution. There
was darkness around her shivering hull, there was a dull explosion
and a lurid glare; and when the smoke had rolled away nothing but a
few floating fragments were left to indicate the traitor's fate.
Thus ship after ship of the Spanish fleet met a like fate, until
Admiral Montojo, on the deck of the deserted and almost-useless Isla
de Cuba, took down his colors, and, with a few surviving officers,
escaped to the shore.
The Yankees Are Victorious.
But, notwithstanding the destruction and the surrender of the Spanish
fleet, the batteries kept up an incessant fire. The Americans now
turned their attention to these, and speedily silenced them. The
Petrel was left behind to complete the destruction of the smaller
gunboats. This she did most effectually.
As the Cavité Arsenal unfurled the white flag, the command "Cease
firing" was given, and the various American commanders once more
gathered on the flagship, their men cheering themselves hoarse.
A most extraordinary victory, truly! Not one man lost, and only six men
slightly wounded, all on the Baltimore; while the Baltimore, Olympia,
and Raleigh suffered injuries that could be repaired in a few hours.
The Spanish, on the other hand, were almost annihilated, and
lost the following vessels: Sunk: Reina Cristina, Castilla,
Don Antonia de Ulloa. Burnt: Don Juan de Austria, Isla de Luzon,
Isla de Cuba, General Lezo, Marquis del Duero, El Correo, Velasco,
and Isla de Mindanao. Captured: Manila, and several tugs and small
launches. Besides this, the enemy lost more than 600 men.
On the day following the engagement, the squadron returned to
Cavité, where it took up a permanent position until the arrival
of the transports from America. On the third of May the Spanish
evacuated Cavité Arsenal, which was then held by a detachment from the
fleet. The same day the batteries on Corregidor Island surrendered
to the Raleigh and the Baltimore. And thus ended the greatest naval
battle in American history.