The Battle of Manila, May 1, 1898.—The Spanish Fleet.
Steaming straight for the little promontory of Cavité, under the protection of the batteries of which the Spanish squadron was lying, he at once opened fire, as has already been said, and with the result that, in the course of the morning, he destroyed the Reina Christina, a cruiser of 3000 tons, mounting nineteen Hontoria guns, from six to four inches in calibre, two machine guns and five torpedo tubes; Castilla, 2350 tons, ten Krupp guns and four revolving cannon, with three torpedo tubes; Don Antonio de Ulloa, 1152 tons, eight Hontoria guns, one machine gun and two torpedo tubes; Isla de Cuba, 1040 tons, twelve guns and three torpedo tubes; Marques del Duero, gunboat, 500 tons, three guns and one torpedo tube; El Cano, gunboat, 525 tons, three guns, three machine guns and one torpedo tube; Velasco, cruiser, 1139 tons, five guns and two machine guns; and the Isla de Mindinao, an armed transport of 4195 tons.
There were several other small gun boats, and one which came into the harbor some days after the battle and was taken. The batteries at Cavité were silenced at the same time that the force afloat was destroyed.
Our loss was limited to eight wounded by an explosion on board the Baltimore, while Commodore Dewey reported the Spanish loss as not fully known, but certainly one hundred and fifty killed, including the captain of the Reina Christina. After Cavité was possessed he reported two hundred and fifty sick and wounded within his lines.
Before the battle had been long going on the Reina Christina, the flag-ship of Admiral Montijo was struck by a shell which set her on fire, forward. As they were soon compelled by the flames to abandon her, the Admiral transferred his flag to the Isla de Cuba, and soon after this time the Don Antonio de Ulloa burst into flames. The Spanish stuck well to their guns, but seemed to lack practice, as their aim was for the most part bad, and their shot either fell short or went clean over the American vessels. The guns on shore, at Cavité, were also badly served, and did no harm to the assailants, although the Spaniards fought with great courage to the last. When these were silenced a small force was landed from the Petrel to occupy the place, and the medical officers landed to assist the Spanish wounded.
On Monday, the 2d of May, the American squadron went up opposite Manila and anchored. Of course it was impossible for Commodore Dewey to occupy a place extending over so much ground without a land force, but he held the city completely under his guns.
The news of the action was received with great joy all over our country, and on the day the news was received the Secretary of the Navy sent the following message, along with a confidential despatch to the Commander in Chief of the Asiatic Squadron:
Washington, May 7th.
Dewey, Manila:—