DIAGRAM SHOWING THE PENETRATING POWER OF ONE OF THE " OREGON'S " SHELLS.

THE SCORE OF THE U.S. GUNS. 3«7 action, did not make a single hit ; the 12-inch guns, of which there were six,made only two. The real work was doneby the medium-calibred guns and the heavier quick-firers. It must be remembered, however, that in the chase much of thefiring was at long ranges, and allof it in the midst of dense smoke clouds; for, though the Spaniards had the new smokeless powder, the Americans were still without it. The following interesting table gives the official analysis of the hits on the Spanish cruisers:— jammedin oneof the quick-firers. Three men in succession volunteered to try to get it clear with the rammer, though for this purpose it was necessary to climbout over the ship's side and hang on with one hand, using the heavy rammer with the other, exposed, not only to the Spanish fire, but to the blast from the fire of the heavy guns further aft. The third of these plucky fellows got the shell out. One of the Iowa's crew climbed thrice into the burning Vizcaya, at the risk of his own life, tohelp out the wounded Spaniards. It would be easy to multiply such examples.

In the afternoon the fleet steamed back to Santiago and took up its blockading stations, after transferring the prisoners to the Harvard and others of the large auxiliary cruisers for conveyance to the United States. The morning's work had entirely- changed the situation. It was felt now that the fall of Santiago could not be long delayed. The army had come there to help the fleet to destroy Cervera's squadron. The squadron had ceased to exist, but it was a point of honour to take the city, though, strictly speaking, this was no longer necessary. And, with the feeling that Santiago must soon fall, there came the growing hope that the war was near its end. And, for the Americans, there was a special satisfaction in rememberingthat it was the third of July, and that the great news of this second decisive naval victory, eclipsing even Dewey's exploit at Manila, would reach everycity and town in the States on the national holiday, the Fourth ot July-Of individual deeds of gallantry on the American side, many might be recorded,both during the running fight and in the subsequent rescue of the defeated Spaniards. On board the Brooklyn, when the fight was hottest, a shell £ .

■r. a i = "£ o o.2 E-S.

S 7. w-Size of J.I MC ii 1 I|3 SII CiL 2 rt ik I8 3 s I 6-pounder . i-pounder . 4,-inch 77 2 12 183 o 15 4 00 <;-inch 1 6 5-incn ' I i 9'43 8-inch i 12-inch Tt.1. 103 !