Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1898 — COSTS MONEY TO SINK FLEETS. [ARTICLE]

COSTS MONEY TO SINK FLEETS.

Ammunition for United States War•hips Is Expensive. Lieut. Commander Speyers, commanding the United States collier Caesar, tells some interesting facts in connection with the recent naval battle off Santiago. Gunner Applegate of the Brooklyn told him that when the Vizcaya tried to ram the Brooklyn the latter fired in the few moments in which the engagement lasted ammunition costing $31,000. This consisted of 183 8-inph, 65 6-inch, 12 6-pound and 400 1-pound shells. The shot which did the most execution was one 8-inch shell fired by the Brooklyn, which raked the Vizcaya fore and aft, and killed in its passage eighty Spaniards. The 13-lnch shells of the Oregon did frightful execution. SCHLEY WAS DETERMINED. ■w--Declared He Would Follow the Cristobal Colon to 8 pain. Private McNeil, U. 8. M. C., who was on the U. S. S. Brooklyn, was on one of the forward six-pounders in the fight with Cervera’s ships, and was standing only a few feet away when a shot from the Cristobal Colon blew off the head of Chief Yeoman Ellis. McNeil says in a letter that when the fleet was discovered coming out of the harbor the crew was standing with open ranks for inspection. Commodore Schley was on the bridge during all the fighting, and an orderly heard him say: ‘T want that ship. I have 800 toaa of coal and plenty of woodwork on this vessel, and I’ll have her if I chase her to Spain.” To Seek Alleged Privateer. The Navy Department sent telegraphic orders to Admiral Miller at San Francisco to send the gunboat Bennington to the coast of British Columbia to'investigate the report that a Spanish privateer was in those waters, waiting for returning treasure ships from Alaska flying the American flag. Spanish Batteries Smashed. From off Carnedas comes report that batteries in the course of construction, as well as two others already completed, have been destroyed. The Spaniards made a brave resistance, and the American shells caused many fatalities. The American ships were not struck. Make Ready for the lowa. Brooklyn’s new dry dock at i €fre navy yard is being made ready to receive the battleship lowa. The lowa is to have its bottom cleaned and will have removed from its armor a big Spanish shell which imbedded itself there during the recent naval fight off Santiago. » Suggests Cure for Fever, A New York physician makes the suggestion that a building be fitted up near Santiago and cooled by liquid air to be-

low the freezing point. This is said to be practical. As frost kills yellow jack, cures might be wrought this way. Can Rave Cruiser Colon. The wreckers have been inspecting the sunken Spanish craiser Cristobal Colon and say they are able to save the ship.