Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1898 — LAST ONE IS GONE. [ARTICLE]

LAST ONE IS GONE.

Sinking of Reinn Mercedes Disposes of Sole Surviving Vessel of Cervern’s Fleet. Headquarters of Gen. Shafter, Tuesday, July 5, by Dispatch Boat Dandy, via Port Antonio and Kingston, Jamaica, July 7. —The destruction of the Spanish cruiser Eeina Mercedes last night (Monday) accounts for the last ship of Admiral Cervera’s once splendid squadron. She lies in plain view, her bow resting on the base of the beach under El Morro. Part of the hull is above water and her masts and two stacks are entirely out of water. It is not jet known whether she attempted to escape from the harbor or whether the Spaniards tried to sink her near the hulk of*the Merrimac and thus block the entrance, to prevent the Americans from getting in. Her sinking was most dramatic. Just after midnight she was seen drifting slowly out of the narrow* entrance by one of the American scouts. In a moment the fleet was ablaze with signals and almost instantly an awful hail of shells was hammering down uoon her. It is not known whether she returned the fire, but the shore batteries opened and one six-inch shell fell on the Indiana’s forward deck, exploding below. The explosion occurred in the men's sleeping room but all were at quarters and no one was hurt. No other American ship was hit during the engagement—or incident—which lasted only a few* minutes.