the battle-ships _Iowa_, _Indiana_, and the _Texas_, yet I think a very
considerable factor in their speedy destruction was the fire, at close
range, of the _Gloucester's_ battery.

"After rescuing the survivors of the destroyers, the _Gloucester_ did
excellent service in landing and securing the crew of the _Infanta Maria
Teresa_.

"8. The method of escape attempted by the Spaniards--all steering in the
same direction, and in formation--removed all practical doubts or
difficulties, and made plain the duty of every United States vessel to
close in, immediately engage and pursue. This was promptly and effectively
done.

"As already stated, the first rush of the Spanish squadron carried it past
a number of the blockading ships, which could not immediately work up to
their best speed, but they suffered heavily in passing, and the _Infanta
Maria Teresa_ and the _Oquendo_ were probably set on fire by the shells
fired during the first fifteen minutes of the engagement. It was afterward
learned that the _Infanta Maria Teresa's_ fire main had been cut by one of
our first shots, and that she was unable to extinguish the fire.

"With large volumes of smoke rising from their lower deck aft these
vessels gave up both fight and flight, and ran in on the beach, the
_Infanta Maria Teresa_ at about 10.15 A. M., at Nima, nine and one-half
miles from Santiago Harbour entrance, and the _Almirante Oquendo_ at about
10.30 A. M., at Juan Gonzales, seven miles from the port.

"9. The _Vizcaya_ was still under the fire of the leading vessels. The
_Cristobal Colon_ had drawn ahead, leading the chase, and soon passed
beyond the range of the guns of the leading American ships. The
_Viz__caya_ was soon set on fire, and at 11.15 she turned inshore and was
beached at Acerraderos, fifteen miles from Santiago, burning fiercely, and
with her reserves of ammunition on deck already beginning to explode.

"When about ten miles west of Santiago the _Indiana_ had been signalled to
go back to the harbour entrance, and at Acerraderos the _Iowa_ was
signalled to 'resume blockading station.' The _Iowa_, assisted by the
_Ericsson_ and the _Hist_, took off the crew of the _Vizcaya_, while the
_Harvard_ and the _Gloucester_ rescued those of the _Infanta Maria Teresa_
and the _Almirante Oquendo_.

"This rescue of prisoners, including the wounded from the burning Spanish
vessels, was the occasion of some of the most daring and gallant conduct
of the day. The