he shadow of Morro
Castle the fight had begun. Admiral Cervera started it by a shell
from the 'Almirante Oquendo,' to which he had transferred his
flag. It struck none of the American vessels. In a twinkling the
big guns of the 'Texas' belched forth their thunder, which was
followed immediately by a heavy fire from our other ships. The
Spaniards turned to the westward under full steam, pouring a
constant fire on our ships, and evidently hoping to get away by
their superior speed.

"The 'Texas,' still heading in shore, kept up a hot exchange of
shots with the foremost ships, which gradually drew away to the
westward under the shadow of the hills. The third of the Spanish
vessels, the 'Vizcaya' or 'Infanta Maria Teresa,' was caught by
the 'Texas' in good fighting range, and it was she that engaged
the chief attention of the first battle-ship commissioned in the
American Navy. The 'Texas' steamed west with her adversary, and
as she could not catch her with speed she did with her shells.

"The din of the guns was so terrific that orders had to be yelled
close to the messengers' ears, and at times the smoke was so
thick that absolutely nothing could be seen. Once or twice the
12-inch guns in the turrets were swung across the ship and fired.
The concussion shook the great vessel as though she had been
struck by a great ball, and everything movable was splintered.
The men near the guns were thrown flat on their faces.

"Meanwhile the 'Oregon' had come in on the run. She passed the
'Texas' and chased after Commodore Schley, on the 'Brooklyn,' to
head off the foremost of the Spanish ships. The 'Iowa' also
turned her course westward, and kept up a hot fire on the running
enemy.

"At 10.10 o'clock the third of the Spanish ships, the one that
had been exchanging compliments with the 'Texas,' was seen to be
on fire and a mighty cheer went up from our ships. The Spaniard
headed for the shore and the 'Texas' turned her attention to the
one following. The 'Brooklyn' and 'Oregon,' after a few parting
shots, also left her contemptuously and made all steam and shell
after the foremost two of the Spanish ships, the 'Almirante
Oquendo' and the 'Cristobal Colon.'

"Just then the two torpedo-boat destroyers 'Pluton' and 'Furor'
were discovered. They