3-086-350 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Spanish-American War: the United States monitor "Puritan" cleared for action, 1898. 'The "Puritan" is a coast-defence monitor of 6000 tons, carrying four twelve-inch guns in steel barbette turrets, also numerous quick-firing guns. The Illustration shows the vessel ready for action, with all bulwarks and deck encumbrance removed... daylight sees us off the opening of the bay. Here the smoke of a steamer interests us, though smoke, by the way, was no new thing to see, as both Spaniards and Cubans are busy burning up the produce of the island, principally sugar...Captain Fremont beat to quarters, his orders being imperative to take, burn, destroy, etc., anything under the Spanish flag. As we neared the main channel the boats sighted us. We chased for an hour, but our draught was too great to follow them over the treacherous shoals with which the bay abounds, so we had to leave them alone to scuttle back as fast as they could.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.