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U. S. S. CONCORD
Manila, May 2, 1898
SIR:
In
compliance with article 275, United States Navy Regulations, I
have to submit the following report of the late action so far
as this vessel was concerned:
In
obedience to our orders I took position in line. In passing the
city a big gun opened on the fleet, to which I replied with two
shots. The Concord held her position in the line until
your order to withdraw from action.
Later
in the day I was ordered by you to burn a transport. To arrive
at the position of the transport my course lay so as to open the
dockyard and vessels therein, at which I took a few shots with
the 6-inch battery. I succeeded in firing the transport, which
is still in flames.
Each
and every one of my subordinates did his whole duty with an enthusiasm
and zeal beyond all praise. I am particularly indebted to the
executive officer, Lieut. Commander George P. Colvocoresses, for
the cool, deliberate, and efficient manner with which he met each
phase of the action, and for his hearty cooperation in my plans.
Lieut. T. B. Howard, the navigator, proved that, like his father,
he was ready to offer his life to his country and flag. The officers
of divisions---Lieut. P. W. Hourigan, powder; Lieut. (j. g.) C.
M. McCormick, third gun; Ensign L. A. Kaiser, second gun, and
Ensign W. C. Davidson, first gun---performed every duty with zeal
and alacrity. Ensign O. S. Knepper, in charge of signals, performed
the duty as though he were in the daily habit of being under fire.
P. A. Paymaster E. D. Ryan volunteered to take charge of the after
powder division, and was most useful therein. The steam department,
under Chief Engineer G. B. Ransom and P. A. Engineer H. W. Jones,
was in perfect condition, working as though on parade. Pay Clerk
F. K. Hunt volunteered to assist the surgeon. The crew, one and
all, worked with enthusiasm. I have nothing but praise for each
and every man.
I
am happy to report that there were no casualties. The Concord
was not hit.
The
following is a list of the ammunition expended: One Hundred and
fifteen 6-inch full charges, sixty-seven 6-inch reduced charges,
six shrapnel, one hundred and seventy-six 6-inch common shell,
two hundred and twenty 6-pounder cartridges, one hundred and twenty
3-pounder cartridges, and sixty 1-pounder cartridges.
I
inclose a list of the ammunition remaining on board; also the
report of the executive officer and of the chief engineer.
Very
respectfully,
ASA WALKER
Commander, U. S. N., Commanding.
The COMMANDER IN CHIEF U. S. NAVAL FORCE,
Asiatic Station.
U.S.S. CONCORD, 3D RATE,
Manila Bay, May 3, 1898
SIR:
I
have the honor to submit the following report of the action in
Manila Bay:
At
12.25 a. m., May 1, 1898, the Concord being in her assigned
position in the column and cleared for action, entered the Boca
Grande. While passing El Fraile a rocket was fired and soon followed
by a shot from a battery on shore. This ship returned the fire.
A second shot from the battery passed between our main and mizzen
masts and over. We fired again, after which the battery did not
reply.
At
12.45 a.m. we fired at a moving light on the starboard quarter,
and it was extinguished.
At
5.05 a.m., while approaching the anchorage off Manila, we were
fired upon by a shore battery and two shots were exchanged; we
also fired at a supposed torpedo boat that ran out from Cavite
and was sunk by the Olympia=s
guns. Another boat made for the Olympia, but meeting a
warm reception, turned, ran on the beach, and was abandoned.
The
squadron, in splendid order, turned to the right when off the
city and advanced on the Spanish fleet, which appeared in line
of battle off Sangley Point, in Cañacao Bay. They opened
upon us at once, but most of their shots fell short. As we steamed
past the enemy=s line
each vessel of our squadron delivered fire from her port battery
and the effect was soon apparent. The ensign of a cruiser, which
we took to be the Reina Cristina, was shot away,
but hoisted again, and she took fire at 7.25 a. m., apparently
from the effects of a shell from the Concord=s
third division, and the fire hose could be seen playing aloft.
Three
complete turns were made by our squadron in front of the enemy=s line, the ships firing
whenever the guns would bear.
At
7.40 a. m. we ceased firing, in obedience to signal from the commander
in chief, and at 8.10 a. m. the crews went to breakfast. At this
time several of the enemy=s
ships were in flames and explosions took place onboard one of
them; some were sinking and others withdrawing for protection
behind Canacao and Cavite.
At
8.30, in obedience to a signal from the flagship, AConcord,
go in and see what ships are on fire,@
this vessel promptly proceeded toward the Spanish line, but the
order was annulled.
At
9.25 a loud report was heard, which came from one of the Spanish
cruisers, and was followed by flames and smoke.
At
11.45 a. m. our squadron again stood in for the enemy, when signal
was made for the Concord to destroy a large transport that
was anchored well inside in shallow water and where there were
a number of fish weirs. In passing we fired with great effect
at the curtain of the fort at Cavite and at two Spanish vessels.
At this time the battery work of all our divisions was most excellent,
exhibiting all the coolness and precision of ordinary target practice.
On arriving within 2,500 yards of the transport we commenced firing
with main and secondary batteries, and at the first round about
ten boats loaded with men were seen to leave her and land on the
beach.
At
12.25 not a Spanish flag was flying in the harbor except from
the staff of the sunken cruiser Don Antonio De Ulloa, submerged
behind Sangley Point; the Reina Christina was a mass of
flames and sunk near the bastion at Cavite, and the Castilla
was burning rapidly in Canacao Bay. The remaining vessels of the
Spanish fleet sought refuge behind the arsenal and several of
them were on fire; the guns at the Cavite and Sangley batteries
had almost ceased firing, and a white flag appeared on the shears
at the arsenal.
The
Concord continued firing at the transport in obedience
to signal, and to hasten operations the first cutter and whaleboat,
in charge of Ensigns Kaiser and Davidson, armed for cutting out,
were got into the water, the former from the skid beams, with
the greatest promptitude and provided with inflammables, but before
they had gone any distance it was discovered that the transport
was on fire and the boats were recalled and hoisted in. At 1.45
we started to rejoin the squadron, but were ordered to go to the
Petrel at Cavite, where she had been sent to destroy the
vessels at the arsenal. She signaled as we anchored, AHave
destroyed eight vessels here.@
White flags were flying at various points on shore and there was
no longer any resistance.
The
Boston joined us at 5.30.
During
the engagement a number of shot and shell passed over and near
us, but neither the vessel nor her crew received damage from the
enemy.
The
blocks of the whaleboat=s
falls and a chest hanging over the quarter, several panes of glass,
and some crockery were injured by the concussion of our own guns.
The
zeal, energy and steadiness displayed by all the men and officers
while under fire are deserving of the greatest praise, and the
thorough and efficient working of the battery, the promptness
of the ammunition supply, the completeness of preparations for
the care of the sick and wounded, and the perfect working of the
engines and mechanical devices reflect the highest credit upon
each of the officers of divisions and heads of departments of
the ship under your command.
Respectfully,
your obedient servant,
G. P. COLVOCORESSES,
Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. N., and Executive Officer.
Commander ASA WALKER,
Commanding Concord.
Continue
to Ship Action Reports: USS BaltimoreSource: 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