The San Francisco Call

VOLUME LXXXIA.-NO. 0. SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1898. PRICE FIVE CENTS. CAIMANERA'S FORTIFICATIONS SHELLED BY THE AMERICANS SPANIARDS DRIVEN FROM THEIR WORKS Splendid Marksmanship Again Displayed by the Gunners of Our Vessels.

CAPE HAYTIEN,Hayti, June 8.—Five American at half-past 5 o'clock yesterday morning began to shell the forti- fications at Caimanera, on the bay of Guantanamo, which cuts into the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba east of the city of San- tiago. Many Spaniards are reported to have been killed. The Americans' fire was most effective, driving the Spanish gunners in consternation from the defense of their works and then from the town of Caimanera, in which they took refuge. The inhabi- tants of this place joined in the rout. The vessels which took part in the bombardment were the Marblehead, the auxiliary St. Louis and Yankee and the two . The latter, however, paid little attention to the Spanish forts, directing their efforts to cutting the cables which run out of Caimanera. Three cables were cut under the protection of the larger vessels of the fleet. One of the cables severed was that connecting Caimanera with the city of Santiago de Cuba. The American fleet appeared of! the entrance to the Bay of Guantanamo just as the rising sun began to redden the horizon. With the Marblehead in the lead, the littlesquadron sailed into the bay and proceeded toward the cable house under the guns of the Spanish fortifications. While the Marblehead, St. Louis and Yankee formed inbattle order before the forts and opened fire, the little gunboats darted out from the line and began to grapple for the cable. The fire from the cruisers was rapid and well directed, and was replied to with vigor by the Spanish. Allthe men on board the warships worked with enthusiasm, the New York • naval re- DESTRUCTION OF THE SPANISH TORPEDO-BOAT TERROR BY THE OREGON. serves on board the Yankee earning their share of the laurels at the guns. The bombardment was continued until the gunboats cutting the cables had concluded their labors. This was at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The fleet then sailed out of the bay and took up a position about three miles from shore. ONE DEADLY A cablegram from Caimanera received here to-day stated that the fleet was still cruising SANTIAGO to bay. before the entrance the SHOT FROM The shells from the warships early began to tell on the fortifications, the fire of which be- WILL SOON came weaker and weaker. One battery after another was silenced, until finally not a shaft of fire or a balloon of smoke issued from the face of-the forts to tell of resistance. As the walls of the THE OREGON fortifications began to tumble upon them, the Spanish gunners deserted their positions of duty and BE TAKEN. ran to the town, which was in a state of high excitement. With the silencing of the forts a still greater panic fell upon the residents of Caimanera, who feared the Americans would complete their work by destroying the town, and there was a New Glory Gained in the Decisive Blow to Be Dealt general movement to places of safety. Many shells from the American guns exploded in close proximity to the houses on the Sinking of the Wh;en Tan)pa Troops outskirts of Caimanera. A report reached here that several houses were struck by the projectiles, but Icould not Terror. flrrive. confirm it. So far as Ihave been able to learn no damage was done the fleet. Itis believed in Caimanera that the forts were bombarded with a view to opening the way to the landing of American troops near that point. With the withdrawal from the bay of the ON BOARD HERALD-CALL DISPATCH ON BOARD HERALD- CALL DISPATCH American , those who had fled from the town ventured to return and the excitement was BOAT, Antonio, succeeded by calmness. off Port — via Kingston, BOAT OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA (via Kings- Jamaica, June 8. Even more picturesque ton, Jamaica), June B.—Within twenty-four The Spaniards there are apparently determined to offer a desperate resistance to the Amer- ican"; in attempt to land troops and will and bold than the defiance of the big Con- hours after the arrival of American troops any make the best fight possible under these circum- federate Merrimac by little stances. They are resolved at any cost to prevent the town and forts of Caimanera from falling Ericsson's the cityof Santiago and the fleet of Admiral the hands of the enemy. The military an was the exploit which into commander has issued order to burn the town, if resulted in Cervera will fall into the hands of the necessary, to prevent the Americans from profiting by its occupation. Similar measures, torpedo-boat it is un- the sinking of the Spanish Americans. This is the view of the Ameri- derstood, are being taken at Santiago. destroyer, brief particulars of which Isent can fleet now guarding the harbor as Iget After the cessation of the firing from the forts, the fleet concentrated its fireupon the block- to the Herald and the Call yesterday. it from a prominent official on board the house at which the cables of the French Cable and Telegraph Company land, and speedily demol- flagship. ished them. Not a sign of the Spanish boat or | clouds for two hours, again lighted the i The cables which connect the blockhouse with Caimanera were cut. On account of the the sixty men comprising her crew has entire coast. Rear Admiral Sampson has ac- Her might be blown up with dy- 13-inch shell fired The searchlights of the New cutting of the cable to Santiago telegraphic communication with that place suspended. been seen since the Orleans complished namite, no is The were directed inland a all the destruction but that would be easy by the Oregon struck her and small boat task, American naval dispatch boat Dolphin entered the harbor of Mole St. Nicholas, Hayti, to-day, and was revealed hugging the shore. She possible until the invading army even in time of peace, owing amidships. Thi.s shot made an Ameri- ' pawed nut of view in a few moments, to weight fired a salute of fifteen guns. can victory of an exciting hour's work is ready to attack the city. A the great of coal in the 1 making rapidly the of Mor- and thwarted the first attempt of the in direction wreck. ro Castle. Repeatedly searchlights combined attack by land and sea Spanish to send reinforcements to Ad- the The dispatch boat Three SPANISH LOSS AT junction "with the insurgents under were trained up and down the shore, |will then be made. Meanwhile Garcia, miral Cervera. Friends found about the General succeeded In getting with- but the Bhadow of the cliffs protected entrance SANTIAGO PROBABLY CAMARA'S SHIPS Several Spanish military and The Terror strange the fleet can act only as a sentinel naval in a mile of the entrance to Santiago the craft from view. Signals of Santiago harbor a fleet of STILL AT CADIZ. officers were killed and wounded. The were given flagship York, at entrance UNDERESTIMATED harbor, but the vigilance of the officers the New the of the harbor. United States men-of-war strong Spanish lohb of soldiers and marines which, with Marblehead, GIBRALTAR.June B.—Admir- on the New Orleans frustrated her the lay near as was heavy. Even sentinels it is not likely enough to take Barcelona. Many Soldiers and Marines Slain and al Camara's fleet is still at Ca- fleet. lip the New Orleans. In a short time the With mercy bold dash to join Cervera's ships Tremendous Damage Inflicted diz, maneuvering. Reports vary The city is now at the of Ad- the powerful searchlights the of Rear Admiral Samp- this powerful force at his com- — to the hour when Ileft American of all three ves- by Projectiles From Samp- sc.-me saying the fleet will sail miral Sampson. The batteries at the fleet Rear Admiral Sampson had been sels were sweeping the coast in an ef- son's fleet will have much to do. mand Admiral Sampson has been son's Ships. in a week, and others that it will entrance to the harbor are on a crest definitely the iden- fort to locate tho mysterious vessel. unable to determine By the slanting rays of the after- studying for two weeks the plan ON BOARD HERALD-CALL DIS- not start until the end of the •180 feet above the water This high ele- by the Oregon's The officers and men were convinced month. All agree that its des- hit, tity of the vessel sunk for attack. He PATCH BOAT, OFF SANTIAGO DE vation made them difficult to but is ques- that the Spanish had noon sun the smokestack and his final has test- tination is Cuba. The trans-At- 1000-pound shell. There little made another CUBA, June 7. via Kingston Jamaica, the entire hill was ploughed up by the was attempt a torpedo ed the strength of all the fortifi- lantic steamer Ciudad de Cadiz tion, however, that she the de- to send Into the masts of the Merrimac are plainly scarcely any heavy shells. In many cases shells are June B.—There is doubt has sailed west without a con- stroyer Terror. American vessels. can speedily known to have passed over t'..e hill visible from the sea. Hobson cations and silence that much greater damage than was at voy. and vessel which the Oregon sunk light range undoubtedly they struck the city The In and out of the the lit- those harbor defenses he did not first supposed was inflicted upon the it- was aproaching Santiago harbor from guns and his men did their work so self, as well as the shipping in tle vessel passed, and the on the destroy in Monday's heavy bom- Spaniards in Santiago harbor during the har- the eastward"" and her course was one war vessels, trained as best they the Merrimac Monday morning. bor. could well that was sunk the bombardment on The formidable Estrella and Cayo Bhe would follow in coming from San a fleeting enemy, began pouring bardment. When Itold the cap- Thirty-four shots were fired from the be on Many shells are believed to have fallen Smith were completely join Spanish Uwt. An of- at a point where the channel is but of the batteries lowa's 12-inch guns, and thirty-eight Juan to the great quantities of shot toward the tain of one American ves- into the city Itself, and when the facts Orleans, was on wide. If wrecked. shots from her 8-lnch gun. There ficer of the New which shore. 300 feet there were no sels that several thousand troops are known after the port has fallen into were night at The Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes few shots from her secondary battery. guard on Monday the eastern In a few minutes the Brooklyn and no blockade, Admiral Sampson's hands, it will prob- fleet, war and naval men from Tampa were about to be was sunk. The other vessels engaged in the bom- end of the American detected the Oregon joined in the chase. Itbecame ably be found the loss of life was very assert, it is doubtful if landed in Cuba he shouted back: United were a proportionate veasel attempting to enter the harbor apparent enemy's In- Cervera's great. States forces landed at bardment fired number that the boat shots, and, of Santiago undor cover of the shadows past "Ifthat is so, Santiago de Cuba with the meager facts now at Daiquiri, a short distance east of of as every one was well tended to make' a bold dash for the en- cruisers could be steered the Even aimed, from the cliffs. Itwoi 10:80 o'clock and hand, Itcan be stated that this is the Aguadores, where they are now en- the damage done must have **•• Merrimac. The wreck of the col- on Second Page. mncm. which had been obscured by Continued on Second Pun. Continued result of the bombardment.* trenched. These forces have formed a been tremendous