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U. S. S. BALTIMORE,
Manila, Philippine Islands, May 4, 1898.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report, as required
by article 437, Navy Regulations of the engagement of this ship
with the Spanish fleet and shore batteries at Sangley Point, Cavite
Bay, on the 1st instant.
At
early daylight the fleet had reached a point close up to the shipping
off the city of Manila, when the signal was made, APrepare
for general action.@
Spanish batteries near Old Manila opened fire at long range at
about the same time. Flagship leading, with port helm, bore down
on the right of Spanish line of vessels, formed in a somewhat
irregular crescent at anchor, extending from off Sangley Point
to the northeast, and in readiness to receive us, their left supported
by the batteries on Sangley Point.
Following
your lead in close order, our fire commenced with the port battery
at about 5.40 a. m., at a distance of about 6,000 yards.
Our
column passed down the enemy=s
line, turning with port helm as their left was reached, engaging
them with starboard battery on the return. This maneuver was performed
three times at distances from the enemy=s
ships varying from 2,600 to 5,000 yards, when you signaled to
Awithdraw from action@ at 7.35.
Upon
reaching a convenient distance in the bay, you signaled, ALet the people go to breakfast;@ and at 8.40, ACommanding
officers repair on board the flagship.@
While
on board the flagship I received an order to intercept a steamer
coming up the bay, reported to be flying Spanish colors.
Soon
after starting on this duty I discovered the colors of the stranger
to be British, and so reported by signal, you having in the meantime
made general signal to get under way and follow your motions,
this ship being at the time some 2 miles to the south-southwest
of the flagship on her way to intercept the supposed Spanish steamer.
At
10.55 you made general signal, ADesignated
vessel will lead,@ with
Baltimore=s distinguishing
pennant, and in a few minutes signal to Aattack
the enemy=s batteries
or earthworks@ and for
fleet to Aclose up;@ in obedience to which order
this ship led in, with starboard helm, to a position off the Canacoa
and Sangley Point batteries and opened fire with starboard battery
at a distance of about 2,800 yards, closing in to 2,200, between
which and 2,700 yards our best work was done, slowing the ship
dead slow, stopping the engines as range was obtained, delivering
a rapid and accurate fire upon the shore batteries and a gunboat
just inside of Sanlgey Point, since proven to have been the Don
Antonio de Ulloa, practically silencing the batteries in question
before the fire of another ship became effective, owing to the
lead we had obtained in our start for the supposed Spanish steamer.
The fire of ships and batteries having been silenced and the white
flag displayed on the arsenal buildings at Cavite, you signaled,
at 1.20, to Aprepare
to anchor,@ and at 1.30,
AAnchor at discretion.@
The
victory was complete.
The
wind was light and variable during the first engagement and from
the northeast; force 2 to 3 during the second.
The
firing devices gave considerable trouble, extractors, sear springs,
and firing pins bending and breaking, and wedge blocks jamming.
Electric firing attachments gave trouble by the grease and dirt
incident to firing insulating the connections, so much so that
shortly after the engagement commenced they were abandoned for
percussion, but coolness and steadiness replaced defective parts
in the shortest possible time.
The
ammunition supply was ample, and the test was conclusive so long
as electric hoists are uninjured.
The
behavior of officers and men was beyond all praise. The accuracy
and rapidity of their fire you were an eyewitness of. The steadiness
and cool bearing of all on board who came under my observation
was that of veterans.
The
fact that the ship was so rarely hit gave few opportunities for
conspicious acts of heroism or daring, but the enthusiasm and
cool steadiness of the men gave promise that they would have been
equal to any emergency.
I
shall report later such detail of individual merit as has been
mentioned by officers of divisions or that came under my own observation.
I
inclose (a) report of executive officer; (b) surgeon=s
report of casualties (c) carpenter=s
report of damages; (d) report of ammunition expended.
Very
respectfully,
N. M. DYER,
Captain, U. S. N., Commanding.
The COMMANDER IN CHIEF U. S. NAVAL FORCE.
Asiatic Station.
U.S.S. BALTIMORE
Off Manila, May 3, 1898.
SIR: In compliance with article 525, United States Navy Regulations,
I have the following report to submit of the action of May 1,
at Cavite:
The
Baltimore was engaged twice during the day in company with
the other vessels of the squadron. The action of the battery and
the conduct of all connected with it and its service were admirable.
It is difficult to discriminate where coolness and efficiency
prevailed throughout the ship=s
company. The spirit and readiness of all were in the highest degree
commendable. The service of the guns and the delivery of ammunition
were most prompt and the experience has indicated to me that when
occasion demands, the supply of ammunition is sufficient to meet
all probable wants.
The
Baltimore was struck five times, with small projectiles,
all of which, with one exception, exploded or broke up. The most
serious hit, happily attended with no serious injury to any officer
or man, came from a 4.7-inch steel projectile, which entered the
ship=s side forward
of the starboard gangway, about a foot above the line of the main
deck. It passed through the hammock netting downward through the
deck planks and steel deck, bending and cracking deck beam in
wardroom stateroom No. 5; then glanced upward through the after
engine room coaming, over against the after cylinder of No. 3
6-inch gun (port), carrying away lug and starting several shield
bolts and putting the gun out of commission; deflected over to
the starboard side, striking a ventilator ladder and dropping
on deck. In its passage it struck a box of 3-pounder ammunition
of the fourth division, exploding several charges, and wounded
Lieutenant Kellogg, Ensign Irwin, and 6 men of the gun=s
crew---none very seriously. A second shot came in about a foot
above the berth deck, just forward of the blowers, passed through
the >thwart-ship
alleyway, hitting the exhaust pipe of the starboard blower, causing
a slight leak. A third shot struck about 2 feet above the water
line on the port side, abreast bunker B-110, passed into the bunker,
cutting blower drain and main air duct, and exploding in bunker.
A fourth shot came in about 6 feet above the berth deck, starboard
side, abreast the forward end of the forward wash room, and broke
up in a clothes locker. A fifth struck the starboard forward ventilator,
slightly bending it.
The
upper cabin skylight, the after range finder, and the two whaleboats
hanging at the davits were all destroyed by the shock of discharge
from the 8-inch guns of the second division.
The
holes in the port side were temporarily plugged with leak stoppers
and afterwards patched with rubber and iron patches.
No.
4 gun was got ready for use by the afternoon of May 2, Ensign
N. E. Irwin devoting intelligent personal efforts to the accomplishment
of the work.
Very
respectfully,
J. B.BRIGGS,
Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. N. Executive Officer
The COMMANDING OFFICER.
Continue
to Ship Action Reports: USS PetrelSource: 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