ENGAGEMENT AT SANTIAGO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 9

ENGAGEMENT AT SANTIAGO.

SPANISH FORTS

SILENCED.

SPANISH CRUISER MERCEDES

ABANDONED

WASHINGTON, June S,

The combined American fleets commanded by Admiral Sampson and j \dirtiral Schley are concentrating their .efforts at Santiago de Cuba, where the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cerverns is imprisoned. Admiral Sampson is the senior officer, and is in command of the combined fleets. •jt-jsunderstood his instructions arc to dispose of the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cerverns before attempting the invasion of Cuba, and pending the receipt of satisfactory news on this head the transport of the American forces now assembled at Tampa, in Florida, "ill be deferred. It is stated that this force will be transferred to Cuba with the greatest possible haste directly Admiral Sampson's fleet are. reach to engage the shore batteries, as it would be suicidal to land a force until such.atime as the American guns afloat-could assist in the task of keeping General Blanco busy. fn pursuance of this plan those vessels of the North Atlantic fleet under command of Admiral Sampson and the Flying Squadron under Admiral ■Schley—with the exception of the warships still maintained at Havana and other ports for blockading pur : p oS es—are planning to capture the Spanish fleet in Santiago Bay. The first step in this direction was fo destroy the shore armament at Santiago. Admiral Sampson telegraphs to the authorities it Washington that the vessels of his fleet bombarded Santiago de Cuba on Monday last, and com-

-j -pl.etely silenced the guns at the forts. 2 .At seven o'clock in the morning, - during a dense fog, the fleet in double - column, with the Brooklyn leading the H westward, and the New York the'eas-t- ---« ward division, sent a torrent of shells .; into the forts.

The Spaniards replied promptly, but y their shots went wide of the .Brooklyn, '/■'.and the Texas quickly silenced the batteries.

>•'. The Brooklyn, at a range of SOO 'yards, destroyed the Estrella fort, - while the smaller vessels swept the ;. s inshore batteries.

'" The New York and New Orleans followed, clearing- Castro and burning ,:..; the Catarena forts.

■- Owing- to the presence of Lieutenant .: Jonro as prisoner at, Morro Fort. Admiral Sampson ordered that it ■",;■: Should not be attacked.

The American vessels suffered no damage. The Spaniards abandoned the second ; das-, cruiser ship Reina .Mercedes, a vessel of ::.0S tons. 15 knots speed, •ar,U armed with six. e-2 inch gun.s.