a" and "Vizcaya" burning on the Beach near
Santiago.]

[Illustration: The Flagship "New York," followed by the "Vixen,"
closing on the "Cristobal Colon," while the Latter was being run
Ashore West of Santiago.]

[Illustration: Effect of a single Spanish Shot on Upper Deck of the
Battle-Ship "Texas".]

[Illustration: _Part of Crew of "Texas"_ Band of the "Oregon" playing
Funeral March after the Defeat of the "Colon".]

[Illustration: Engineer Battalion unloading Tools at Siboney.]

[Illustration: "St. Louis." A Transport. "Suwanee." "Vixen." Auxiliary
Cruisers Protecting Landing.]

[Illustration: Commodore Watson's Fleet for Service in Spanish
Waters.]

At 9.30 on the morning of the 3d the lookout on the "Texas" saw smoke
rising above Morro Castle. Immediately after, the black prow of a
warship appeared in the channel coming out at full speed. It was the
"Almirante Oquendo." Instantly the "Texas" broke out with bunting
signaling to all the vessels of the fleet that the Spaniards were
coming out. On every side rung out the bugles and clattered gongs
calling the crews of the American ships to quarters. Admiral Sampson
with the "New York" was far away, and Commodore Schley with the
"Brooklyn" commanded the fleet. The odds were not so greatly in favor
of the Americans, for the Spaniards had four armored cruisers and two
torpedo-boat destroyers, while the Americans had five battle-ships,
one armored cruiser and a yacht. The superiority of the Spaniards in
rapid-fire guns was very great.

The "Brooklyn," thinly clad with armor, dashed first into the fray and
was soon engaged with four armored vessels, each her superior; the
"Iowa," "Texas" and "Oregon" rushed to her aid. It was soon apparent
that the Spaniards were more intent on running than fighting.
Nevertheless, they kept up a rapid fire, but showed the bad
marksmanship which characterized Montojo's gunners at Manila. One
shell from the "Oquendo" crashed through the pilot-house of the
"Texas" just after Captain Philip had left it for the securer retreat
of the conning tower, and one exploded in the smokestack. These were
about the most effective shots aimed by the enemy.

A correspondent of the New York "Journal" and the "Sun" stationed
aboard the "Texas" sent the most graphic account of the battle which
has at this date, July 6, been printed. Some extracts from it will
give a clear account of the fighting:

"Almost before the leading ship was clear of t