, _Yankee_, _Iowa_, and _Oregon_ the second
division. Very early on the morning of the 6th, they steamed in toward
the entrance of the harbor in double column, the first division to the
left, the second to the right, the vessels being in the order named
above. When about three thousand yards off shore the first division
turned toward the west and the second division toward the east; the
little vessels _Vixen_ and _Swanee_ remaining far out on the left of the
first division to watch the riflemen on shore, and the _Dolphin_ and
_Porter_ occupying similar positions on the right for the same purpose.
The fight was started by a 12-inch shell from the _Iowa_, which struck
the base of the Estrella battery and tore up the works. This was a
signal for all of the vessels to begin firing, and from that time until
the firing ceased the bombardment was terrific. The vessels had run up
in the beginning at the point where the range of the forts and batteries
was known, and, in consequence, although the smoke hung so thickly
about the ships that the forts could not be seen, the shots were very
effective. The vessels of the first division had been instructed to
concentrate their fire at the fortifications at the left or west side of
the entrance to the harbor; those of the second division attacking Morro
Castle and fortifications to the right, and the Spanish vessels in the
harbor which were within range. The Spanish gunners on shore replied
promptly, but their marksmanship was of no better quality than in
previous engagements, and it is reported that practically no damage was
done to our fleet. It is reported that one Spanish shell struck the
military mast of the _Massachusetts_, but nobody was hurt. One man on
the _Swanee_ was slightly wounded, and it is said that he is the only
one who was hurt on our side. As the bombardment proceeded, Commodore
Schley's ships moved nearer to the shore, and the effect of their fire
at such short range was tremendous: earthworks were simply blown to
pieces, and the Spanish gunners soon forced to stop firing. The Estrella
fortification, which was probably the strongest one there, was given
particular attention by Schley's column. The fort offered great
resistance, but when the vessels had moved to closer range the heavy
guns of the _Texas_ and _Marblehead_ were turned upon it. The Spanish
guns were soon silenced and the fortification set on fire. The Cayo
battery was silenced by the _New York_ and _New