3-086-393 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Spanish-American War: lauches of the United States cruiser "Marblehead" and gun-boat "Nashville" cutting the cable at Cienfuegos, 1898. 'Sketch by our Special Artist, Mr. H.C. Seppings-Wright: "This gallant act was carried out under a heavy fire from the shore; the gun-boats and lauches returning the fire. One man was killed, two have since died of wounds, and six were wounded." On June 3 Admiral Sampson proceeded to bombard the forts at the entrance of Santiago Harbour. The cannonade began at eight o'clock in the morning, and lasted until eleven...The ships were reported to have done considerable damage to the forts, but it is always difficult for spectators on board the vessels engaged to estimate the effect of a bombardment. Possibly Admiral Sampson was more concerned to cover the landing of troops than actually at this time to reduce the defences. That troops did get ashore there seems to be no reasonable doubt, but the two reported landings may turn out to be only different versions of the same affair. The Spanish vessel Reina Mercedes...was totally destroyed in the act of placing torpedoes about the sunken Merrimac. The Spanish loss was estimated at six killed and eighteen wounded.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.