in the air. As the ships came out
of the harbor they sircled to the right, or Westward, and Capt Clark
knew they were trying to escape. they did not think the old Oregon was
such a runer as she was a fighter, so we Just tailed on with them and
giving them shot for shot. In about 20 minuts the first ship went on
the Beach, plumb knocked out, and 15 minuts later the secon one went on
the Beach, a short ways from the first. Then came the tug of war for we
had to run to catch the Vizcaya and the Colon, but we catched them
both. the Vizcaya was about 4000 yards ahead and the Colon was about 3
miles ahead, and the poor men in the fireroom was working like horses,
and to cheer them up we passed the word down the ventlators how things
was going on, and they passed the word back if we would cut them down
they would get us to where we could do it. So we got in rainge of the
Vizcaya and we sent her ashore with the secondary Battry and 6 inch
guns, and then we settled down for a good chase for the Colon. I
thought she was going to run a way from us. But she had to make a curv
and we headed for a point that she had to come out at. We all think
there is no man in the Navy like Capt Clark, he is a Brave man, he stud
on the Forward 13 inch turet through the thickest of this fight and
directed his ship to the final results.

Coming back to Santiago we waited untill we got to where the first ship
went on the Beach and there fired the national salut. We have 3 Spanish
prisoners on board and they thought we wer at it a gain, and it was all
the sick Bay man could do as to quiet them. I hear there is over 1800
Prisoners and 650 kild and 800 wounded on the third. the three men on
board tells the sickbayman that we run through there fleet coming
around hear, for the next day they found a Pork Barrel ful of holes and
had marked on the head U.S.S. Oregon. We all seem to think we could
take care of our selves Just the same. it is Just 6.50 P.M. now and the
men all say there is no flag flying on the Morro. But I can see Just as
good as any and I can not see any either, But then I think we are out
too far.

_July_ 5. At about 11.45 the danger Signal was flashed by the lookout
from the Massachusetts, she being the one to show her serchlight at the
entrance of the Harbor for the night, the Spanish was trying to sink
one of there old ships in the Chanell so as not to let us in. But Just
3 or 4 shots from the Massachusetts Big 13 inch Guns help them t