rs were both sunk, one near the beach, the other in
deep water about three miles west of the harbour entrance.

"The remaining ship, the _Cristobal Colon_, stood on and gave a long chase
of forty-eight miles, in which the _Brooklyn_, _Oregon_, _Texas_, _Vixen_,
and _New York_ took part. The _Colon_ is reputed by her captain to have
been going at times as much as seventeen and a half knots, but they could
not keep this up, chiefly on account of the fatigue of her men, who, many
of them, had been ashore at Santiago the day before, and had been, while
there, long without food; her average speed was actually thirteen and
seven-tenths knots, the ship leaving the harbour at 9.43 A. M., and
reaching Rio Tarquino (forty-eight miles from Santiago entrance) at 1.15.

[Illustration: THE DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA'S FLEET.]

"She was gradually forced in toward the shore, and, seeing no chance of an
escape from so overwhelming a force, the heavy shells of the _Oregon_
already dropping around and beyond her, she ran ashore at Rio Tarquino and
hauled down her flag.

"She was practically uninjured, but her sea-valves were treacherously
opened, and in spite of all efforts she gradually sank, and now lies near
the beach in water of moderate depth. It is to be hoped that she may be
floated, as she was far the finest ship of the squadron. All her breech
plugs were thrown overboard after the surrender, and the breech-blocks of
her Mauser rifles thrown away.

"The flag-ship remained at Rio Tarquino until eleven P. M., and then
returned to Santiago. The _Texas_, _Oregon_, and _Vixen_ remained by the
prize. Commodore second in command of fleet, Captain de Navio of the first
class, Don Jose de Paredes y Chacon, Captain de Navio Don Emilio Moreu,
commanding the _Colon_, and Teniente de Navio Don Pablo Marina y Briengas,
aid and secretary to the commodore, were taken on board the _New York_.
The 525 men of the crew of the _Colon_ were placed aboard the _Resolute_,
which came from Santiago to report sighting a Spanish armoured cruiser,
which turned out to be the Austrian _Maria Teresa_. The other officers
were placed aboard the _Resolute_ and _Vixen_.

"Admiral Cervera and many of his officers were taken off the shore by the
_Gloucester_, and transferred to the _Iowa_, which ship had already taken
off many from the _Vizcaya_; thirty-eight officers and 238 men were on
board the _Iowa_, and seven officers and 203 men were aboard the
_Indiana_.