The Spanish Fleet.

Manawatu Herald, 26 May 1898, Page 2

The Spanish Fleet.

Whatever may \e said at the gross carelessness of the Spaniards in letting the fleet be caught in the harbour of Manila without hiving steam up, nothing can he said against the pluck shown. l.y them when every chance was against them. The Spanish ships were foolishly at anchor .without steam when the American Squadron entered the harbour and these vessel 3 reserved their fire until within 4500 yards an 3 then opened fire upon the moored fleet, the ship 3 following one another in close order and steamed five times up and down. The Spanish Admiral realising that fighting under such conditions meant certain destruction, made an heroic effort to get at closer quarters with the enemy, and picking out the American flagship by her pennant, made a gallant dash for the Olympia. The big American ship simply concentrated her four big guns and ten five-inch quickfirers on the unfortunate Beina Christina and riddled her. An eight inch shell burst in the engine-room, severing the steam-pipes, while the hull, being unprotected by armour, was shot through and through. The blood ran in streams on the shell splintered decks, and a few minutes later on she took fire. The attack showed a spirit worthy of the traditions of the Spanish Navy, as the hull of the Admiral's ship being unarmoured must have led him to expect anything but a successful result. The story of this battle bringß out another gallant action which was made by a small Spanish tor pedo boat to sink the McCulloch and other American storeships which clustered out of range in the rear of their cruisers. Bushing out from the shelter of the mole the torpedo boat dashed straight at the McCulloch but in the broad daylight and well under the fire of the cruisers, the effort was as unavailing as it was brave, it being no time for chivalry. A nail iron splintering shell fell upon the little boat and blotted her ont of existence. These foes are adversaries worthy of the name.