 |
| Los Angeles Herald, 03-May-1898 |
These items from the 02-May-2023 Alexandria Gazette contain some of the earliest reports of the Battle of Manilla Bay, which took place 125 years ago, on May 1, 1898. The spelling of Manila varied in the original article.
A NAVAL BATTLE.
A naval battle has been fought near Manilla. All advices from the scene of the engagement come by Spanish cable, but there seems to be no doubt that the American fleet won a victory in the two engagements which took place. From the best sources obtainable it is learned that the American fleet engaged the fortifications at Cavite and the Spanish gunboats at daylight Sunday, and after a severe action, during which at least two of the largest Spanish warships, including the Spanish Admiral's flagship, were destroyed, retired to land their wounded and refit. After a short interval the American fleet returned to the attack, which must have been disastrous to the Spanish fleet. The loss of life was undoubtedly very large. The American vessels suffered considerable damage. The captain of the Spanish flagship was killed.
The battle took place on the morning of May 1st. which, reckoning the difference in time, would be about 5 o'clock Saturday evening in Washington. From the fact that the Spanish still coutrol the cable at Manila it is apparent that the U. S. fleet has not yet taken that city.
Following are the official dispatches received at Madrid from the Governor General of the Philippines to the minister of war, Lieut. Gen. Correa as tc the engagement off Manila:
"Our fleet engaged the enemy in a brilliant combat, protected by the Cavite and Manila forts. They obliged the enemy, with heavy loss, to maneuver repeatedly. At nine o'clock the American squadron took refuge behind the foreign merchant shipping, on the east side of the bay.
"Our fleet, considering the enemy's superiority, naturally sullered a severe loss. The Maria Christina is on fire and another ship, believed to be the Don Juan de Austria, was blown up.
"There was considerable loss of life. Captain Cadarso, commanding the Maria Christina, is among the killed The spirit of the army, navy and volunteers is excellent."
A dispatch from Havana says : Admiral Bermejo, Minister of Marine joined the Cabinet council Saturday night and informed his colleagues that the Spanish forces had gained a victory in the Philippines. He asserted that he found difficulty in restraining his joyful emotion. A later official dispatch does not mention the destruction of any American vessel, although it says that the United States squadron finally cast anchor in the bay behind the foreign merchantmen.
A dispatch from Madrid, dated at midnight last night, says: El Heraldo de Madrid says that Admiral Montejo changed his flagship during the engagement or between the two encounters in order to better direct the maneuvers. In this way he escaped the fate of the commander of the Reina Maria Christina. The second engagement, according to El Heraldo, was apparently begun by the Americans, after landing their wounded on the west side of the bay. In the latter engagement the Spanish ships Mindanao and Ulloa suffered heavily. Ministers speak of "serious but honorable losses."
A dispatch from London says dispatches received there seem to make it clear that the Asiatic squadron of the United States, Admiral Dewey commanding, yesterday engaged and completely defeated the Asiatic squadron of Spain in the harbor of Manilla, in the Philippine Islands. During the two engagements that took place Commodore Montejo, commanding the Spanish fleet, lost three of his largest ships. His flagship, the armored cruiser Reina Christina and the armored cruiser Castilla, were burned and the cruiser Don Juau de Austria was blown up. Several other Spanish vessels were badly damaged.
Under the protection of the guns in the fortifications the Spanish warships opened fire on the American fleet. For several hours the harbor resounded with the roar of guns.
A shot reached the iron cruiser Don Juan de Austria. A terrific explosion followed and the ship was blown up causing great loss of life.
There was a heavy loss of life among the Spanish. The captain commanding the Reina Christina was killed. Commodore Montejor, commanding the fleet, shifted his flag from the Christina to the Isle de Cuba, a much smaller steel-protected cruiser, just before the Christina sank. Commodore Dewey's squadron left Subic bay, a few miles from Manilla, about four o'clock Saturday afternoon and proceeded toward Manilla. Under the cover of darkness he entered the harbor of Manilla, passing the forts. The batteries at the forts announced his arrival.
Both fleets lined up for battle about daybreak. The guns of the American warships began firing on the fortress of Cavite and the arsenal of Manila. Then the battle raged.
The American squadron about 9 o'clock in the morning drew off to one side of the bay and took refuge behind some foreign vessels. The ships had evidently suffered considerable damage. After some hasty repairs they returned to the conflict.
During this engagement the guns of Cavite maintained a steadier and stronger fire upon Admiral Dewey's ships than in the first encounter, but the American guns were used with teliing effect. As the smoke lifted it was seen that the flagship Reina Christina was on fire. This vessel was completely burned.
The cruiser Castilla, next to the flagship the largest and most powerful of the Spanish squadron, was burned. The cruiser Don Antonio de Ulloa and the Mindanoa were badly damaged in this encounter.
That the American squadron received serious damage in the engagement cannot be doubted. Early reports had it that five of Dewey's ships had been sunk. Later advices from Madrid put the number at two. The latest reports received from Madrid make no mention of any American ship being destroyed.
There were undoubtedly heavy losses in men on both sides. One apparent trust-worthy report states that the Spanish had two hundred killed and four hundred wounded.
Trustworthy details of the American loss of life will hardly be obtainable until Admiral Dewey has taken Manila or sent a vessel with dispatches to Hong Kong.
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
The Victory at Manilla.
London. May 2 -- The afternoon papers to-day comment upon the victory of the U. S. fleet at Manilla. The Pall Mall Gazette says: "The earlier Spanish stories left no shadow of doubt that the Spanish fleet had been smashed and the later information this morning places it even beyond the possibility of a Spanish denial." The newspapers all discuss the ultimate fate of the Philippine Islands as a question in which the European powers are vitally interested and they agree in saying that another element of discord has been introduced into the far Eastern scramble.
A Madrid dispatch to the Evening News says the Queen Regent, who, it appears, had already heard of the reverse, declared that while the loss of so many ships was a misfortune, there was "satisfaction in the reflection that the Spaniards had covered themselves with honor." A dispatch to the Mail received from Madrid this morning says: "The Americans are now moving on Manilla, but there has beeu no capitulation yet."
The British governor of the Straits Settlement has sent a cable dispatch to the colonial office here saying the United States fleet "annihilated" the Spanish fleet in a two hours' engagement. ? The dispatch adds that Commodore Dewey last night demanded the surrender of all the torpedoes and guns at Manilla and the control of the cables, under pain of bombardment. General Augusti, the Spanish Governor General, refused to surrender them, and, it is supposed, the bombardment of Manilla is now procending.
London, May 2. -- The details of the battle at Manilla have been received at the British Colonial office. The dispatch announces that the United States fleet entered Manilla harbor at daybreak yesterday, stationing itself opposite the city. A fort opened fire on the American ships, whereupon they shifted their position to one near Cavite, in Manilla bay, engaging in a fierce fight against both the forts and the Spanish fleet. The engagement last (sic - JT) two hours, and resulted in the annihilation of the Spanish fleet. This dispatch adds that the American ships withdrew to their t magazine vessel, in the centre of the roadstead, for the purpose of coaling. One American vessel, the name of which is not mentioned, is said to have been disabled.
Berlin, May 2. -- The news of the victory of the United States fleet at Manilla was received here, except in government circles, with general incredulity. The newspapers expressed doubts as to its reliability. They said it was "derived mostly from American sources and, doubtless, had been grossly exaggerated or was baseless."
From Madrid.
The Imperial advises the government to arm all the available shipping for the purpose of capturing and destroying American merchant vessels.
Further advices from Manila say the United States fleet has taken up a position in front of Manila and has established a blockade of the port. The population of Manila is fleeing from the city. A bombardment of the town is expected to take place to day.
The authorities here have adopted the most extreme military precautions to check the increasing public indignation at the disaster to the Spanish fleet. Martial law will be proclaimed if the government is "provoked over hostile demonstrations" in the streets. The feeling of discontent is everywhere. The military feel equally with the civil elements the effects of the disaster, in which, according to one announcement, "our inferior war craft, although they fought pluckily, perished through lack of foresight in responsible quarters.
It is now raining which may prevent he Second of May procession, as well as the bull fight. Both gatherings are liable to result in demonstrations. Senor Robledo, the conservative leader and former minister of justice, is expected to inaugurate a sensational debate in the chamber to-morrow, in which he will be backed up by the carlists and republicans. General Weyler, whose popularity is increasing, will also provoke a debate in the Senate.
Preparing for Action.
Key West, Fla., May 2. -- A demonstration by the fleet off the coast of Cuba is hardly expected to-day but it is understood a movement has been planned. A howling gale is now blowing and the sea is running high. There was a long conference on board the flagship New York yesterday, between Rear Admiral Sampson, Captain Evans, Captain Taylor and Captain Chadwick, the purpose of which could not be ascertained. Early yesterday morning tugs were then sent out, calling in all the other vessels of the fleet in that vicinity and at noon the ships were lying off the batteries, west of Havana and within eight miles of the shore. After the ships had remained in this position for several hours it became evident that no immediate movement was contemplated, as the fleet opened out and returned to their various stations along the coast.
News of the engagement between the United States and Spanish fleets at Manilla has not yet reached the Cuban blockading squadron, but they probably will be advised of it this morning.
The Blockade of Havana.
Key West, Fla., May 2. -- The blockade of Havana continues. The United States fleet is lying about ten miles off Morro Castle. The weather is fine and a stiff breeze is blowing. The British steamer Strathdee, from Progresso to Sagua la Grande, in ballast, was made to heave to at 1.30 this morning, after two shots had been fired from the flagship. The Strathdee proved her identity and was allowed to proceed, as Sagua la Grande is not a blockaded point. Captain Currie said he was stopped twice before during the night.
War Bulletins.
Madrid, May 2. -- The British consul at Manilla has had a conference with Commodore Dewey.
Hong Kong, May 2. -- It is announced at the cable office here that the transmission of messages to Manilla or from that place is interrupted.
London, May 2 -- It is believed that the Spaniards have cut the cable at Manila.
London, May 2. -- A cable message has been received at the foreign office here from the British consul at Manilla announcing that the bombardment lasted an hour and a-half and that the Spanish lleet was practically annihilated by the fleet of the United States.
London, May 2. -- The Parnellite members of parliament have sent the following dispatch to President McKinley: "In the names of millions of Irishmen, the Parnellite members of the House of Commons send you their congratulations on the brilliant victory of the American fleet.
(Signed) "John Redmond."
Portland, Maine, May 2. -- The United States cruiser Columbia arrived here this morning.
DENVER, Col , Mav 2. -- According to Col. W. J. Volkmar," Adjt.-Gen'L of the department of the Colorado, volunteers raised in the States west of the Missouri river will probably be sent across the Pacific ocean to hold the Philippine Islands.
New York, May 2. -- A Hong Kong dispatch says: The bombardment of Manilla has begun. The inhabitants are fleeing to (he country. The operators in the cable station in the midst of the forts have fled to save their lives.
Block Island, R. I., May 2. -- The cruiser New Orleans passed here at 10 o'clock bound east.
PROVINCETOWN, Mass., May 2. -- The cruiser San Francisco steamed into this harbor at 9:27 this morning and dropped anchor near the Katahdin.
As Heard at Paris.
Paris, May 2. -- A dispatch from Madrid says that, according to the latest dispatches, the British consul at Manilla, in his visit to Commodore Dewey, made representations, in behalf of the consular corps, against the bombardment of the town. The dispatch also says: "French, British and German war vessels are off Manilla. No Spanish warship surrendered and the majority perished. Two Spanish commanders were killed while resisting to the last, moment. The Spanish losses are estimated at four hundred men killed, including many natives. The American squadron attacked furiously both the Spanish squadron and Cavite, where it caused great damage."
Commenting on the battle, the Temps says: "The United States put into the balance a too crushing superiority of resources and forces to leave a doubt as to the result." Later the Temps says: "Directly Castilian honor has received the satisfaction it demands, will not the moment have come for Europe to say its word, and take as a basis for its mediatory action the wise advice of the Duke of Devonshire in his speech of Saturday evening?"
Foreign News.
London, May 2. -- The Evening Standard commenting on the American victory says: "Everyone will hope this prompt and decisive blow to the Spanish forces will lead to an early termination of hostilities, a hope which has been encouraged by the remarkable language of Senor Silvela in the Cortes, when he declared the Cuban problem is reduced to a question of honor for Spanish arms."
 |
| San Francisco Call, 27-January-1895 |
Commodore George Dewey's flagship, the Olympia, is preserved at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.
No comments:
Post a Comment