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DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June 17, 1898.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your information a copy of an unnumbered dispatch of the 4th ultimo form the consul at Manila, Philippine Islands, giving an account of the battle of Manila Bay.
Respectfully, yours,
WILLIAM R. DAY.
The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
Bay of Manila, Philippine Islands, May 4, 1898.
SIR: I have the honor to briefly report to you concerning the
battle of Manila Bay, fought on May 1, 1898.
Heeding
your mandate, and by repeated request of Commodore George Dewey,
of the United States Asiatic Squadron, I left Manila on Saturday,
April 23, and on Wednesday, April 27, at about 1 o=clock
p. m., boarded the flagship Olympia, in Mirs Bay, in Hongkong.
After meeting the Commodore and his captains and commanders in
council, the Commodore at once ordered his fleet to start at 2
p. m. for Manila Bay.
On
Saturday, April 30, Subig Bay was reconnoitered because of reported
hiding of Spanish fleet in its inner harbor, but no fleet being
there found, the Commodore proceeded at once to the south channel
entrance to Manila Bay, and while by many reports mines, torpedoes,
and land defenses obstructed entrance, yet the flagship led the
van, and between 10 p. m., April 30, and 2 a. m., May 1, our fleet
of six war ships, one dispatch boat, and two coal-laden transports
passed all channel dangers unharmed, despite shots from forts,
and at 2 a. m. were all safe on the broad expanse of Manila Bay.
After
my departure April 23, and by drawing fire, to save Manila if
possible, all Spanish war ships went to their strongly fortified
naval station at Cavite, where the inner harbor gave refuge, and
where potential support could be had from several forts and well-equipped
batteries which extended several miles right and left from Port
Cavite.
At
about 5.30 a. m., Sunday, May 1, the Spanish guns opened fire
at both the Manila breakwater battery and at Cavite, from fleet
and forts.
With
magnificent coolness and order, but with the greatest promptness,
our fleet, in battle array, headed by the flagship, answered the
Spanish attack, and for about two and a half hours a most terrific
fire ensued.
The
method of our operations could not have shown greater system,
our guns greater effectiveness, or our officers and crews greater
bravery; and while Spanish resistance was stubborn and the bravery
of Spanish forces such as to challenge admiration, yet there were
outclassed, weighed in the balance of war against the methods,
training, aim, and bravery shown on our decks, and after less
than three hours= perilous
and intense combat one of Spain=s
war ships was sinking, two others were burning, and all others,
with land defenses, had severely suffered, when our squadron,
with no harm done its ships, retired for breakfast.
At
about 10 o=clock a.
m. Commodore Dewey renewed the battle, and with effects most fatal
with each evolution.
No
better evidence of Spanish bravery need be sought than that, after
the castigation of our first engagement, her ships and forts should
again answer our fire. But Spanish efforts were futile. Ship after
ship and battery after battery went to destruction before the
onslaught of American energy and training, and an hour and a half
of our second engagement wrought the annihilation of the Spanish
fleet and forts, with several hundred Spaniards killed and wounded
and millions in value of their Government=s
property destroyed. While amazing, almost unbelievable, as it
seems, not a ship or gun of our fleet had been disabled, and except
on the Baltimore, not a man had been hurt.
One
of the crew of the Baltimore had a leg fractured by slipping
and another hurt in the ankle in a similar manner, while four
received slight flesh wounds from splinters thrown by a 6-inch
projectile, which pierced the starboard side of the cruiser.
But
in the battle of Manila Bay the United States squadron of six
war ships totally destroyed the Spanish fleet of eight war ships,
many forts and batteries, and accomplished this work without the
loss of a man!
History
has only contrasts. There is no couplet to form a comparison.
The only finish fight between the modern war ships of civilized
nations has proven the prowess of American naval men and methods,
and the glory is a legacy for the whole people. Our crews are
all hoarse from cheering, and while we suffer for cough drops
and throat doctors, we have no use for liniment or surgeons.
To
every ship, officer, and crew all praise be given. As Victoria
was answered years ago, AYour
Majesty, there is no second,@
so may I report to your Department as to our war ships conquering
the Spanish fleet in the battle of Manila Bay---there is no first---@there is no second.@ The cool bravery and efficiency
of the commodore was echoed by every captain and commander and
down through the lines by every officer and man, and naval history
of the dawning century will be rich if it furnishes to the world
so glorious a display of intelligent command and successful service
as must be placed to the credit of the United States Asiatic Squadron
under date of May 1, 1898.
It
was my lot to stand on the bridge of the Baltimore by the
side of Captain Dyer during the first engagement, and to be called
to the flagship Olympia by the commodore, at whose side,
on the bridge, I stood during the second engagement, and when
the clouds roll by and I have again a settled habitation, it will
be my honor and pleasure to transmit a report showing service
somewhat in detail and for which commanders promise data.
Meanwhile
our commodore will officially inform you of events which will
rival in American history the exploits of Paul Jones.
I
have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
OSCAR F. WILLIAMS,
U. S. Consul, Manila, Philippine Islands.
(Not acting.)
Hon. JUDGE DAY,
Assistant
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Continue
to Spanish Official ReportSource: Appendix to the Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Annual Reports of the Navy Department for the Year 1898. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1898.
23 July 1999