Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLLIER MERRIMAC BLOWN UP In Santiago Harbor-Great Naval Commanders Have Often Sent Sucn. Cape Hay tien. Joe e 3 -Saotiago advices say American fleet at; ai o at tackedforti?ea lions and warships 3am Fire wei! sustained until 4 a. m. A ox iliary American oroiser attempted to force the * passage, bot was snob hy % torpedo. Eigh; Americans made pris? oners by Spaniards. New 'York, Je?e 3 - Tbe Jooro*! prints ander Cape Hay tien date the following, which ts affirmed to bate been*cabled verbatim to Europe to day ' from Santiago. "This morning there was heavy "caa ooo ad i og from 3 to 4 o'dock. .*Ao armored American trans-At laotic steamer tried to ron over the first line of torpedo defences. The Span -' lards let ncr do so, bat wheo the Amer isac ship, which bad already got into the pass, attempted to ron over the sec pad Ito e of torpedoes the Spaniards set fire to one of these. The American ?bip sunk right down immediately after the explosion of the torpedo. "An officer, an engineer and s>ix sea otea bave been made prisoners "The name of the American ship is unknown, a? well ss the comber of vie tims who have perished. " , Washington, June 4-4 p m The Washington Post this morning says: Th? eris absolutely no doubt io tbe minds of the naval officiai s io Wash? ington that tbe sending of the collier inf9 the harbor was all a prearranged move on the part of Admiral 8ampsoo. Tbe use of a collier, the unusual hour cf tbe morning, the necessity ot block ?ding the channel so as to relieve some of tbe snips of tbe squadron from re /saining stationed off Santiago, the im? portance pf discovering whether the mines were effective-ail these reasons make it certain that the Merrimac was jj deliberatejy guided to h?r destruction* - It was not a Spanish victor}*. It was a clearly arranged scheme on tbe part of /American admiral and it wa* successful. f. Tbe eight men in a Spanish prison are she real heroes of tbe war. If tbe Marimac went in under her own crew it is interesting to know that ber complement of officers consisted of Commander J. M Miller, Lieut W W. Gtlmer, executive officer; Ensigns J. J H Bfakiey and J. M. Luby, and Assistant Engineer E. K Crank. Mil Ser is from Virginia, Gil mer from Vir? ginia, Blakey, from Pennsylvania, Luby and Crank from Texas, it is ex? pected that reports witt be received to? day from Admiral Sampaoe, which will give details of the Mammae's destroc itoo, ?nd the names of the eight men who have been captured. HOBSON'S DABING DEED. . . ~ -. . . . ? * The Details of Which Amer? icans Will Not Tire of Beading. Rare Cour? age. Fort Antonio, Jamaica, June 3 -A single deed of magnificent American daring has lost to the king? dom of Spain the powerful fleet of Admiral Ger vera Just before dawn today seven gal? lant seamen took the collier Merri mac under tbe blazing Morro battery and anchored and souk ber beneath a spiteful fire of musketry and heavy dffioonadiog from tho shore, and tbe wrecked bull of the sunken vessel effectually closes the entrance to the harbor, within which the Spanish squadron is hopelessly and helplessly locked. This splendid stroke, which leaves the government at Washington free to act without further ' fear of the Spaniards, was planned by Lieut. .Richmond P. Hobson, who comman? ded the expedition. He is a naval constructor, attached to the Annap olia, and his home ia- io Brooklyn. With him went Daniel Montague, George Chare tte, J E Murphy, Oscar Deignas, John P. Phillips and John Kelley, all non commissioned officers or enlisted men. A steam launch from the flagship New York, commanded by Cadet J. W. Powell, followed the Merrimac to the mouth of the harbor and. despite the fire from the forts, cruised io the vicinity for au hour and a half after the col? lier was sunk, but no sign of the brave Americans was seen, and Cadet Powell was finally compelled to re* join the flagship. The plan to block the entrance to Santiago had been under consider? ation for several days, as Rear Admi? ral Sampson bad decided that it was impossible to take his fleet inside. Lieut. Hobson had expected to do the work Wednesday night, bat owing to the delay in preparing tbe ship, it was deferred. The daring officer attempted to run in after day? light on Thursday, and was only stopped under protest after stern orders to return from the admiral. All day yesterday the preparations proceeded and by nightfall the craft was in readiness. A row of torpe? does had been arranged outside the bull, so that Lieut Hobson could ex? plode them from the bridge of the vessel and thus insure her rapid sinking. At nightfall the various ships of the fleet parsed the doomed j Merrimac, cheering her lustily. Hundreds of men and scores of . fi ce rs volunteered for the doty a Commander Merill, who bad been t captain of the Merrimac, begged pi mission of Admiral Sampson to g bat Lieut Hobson wanted only E men. By 10 o'clock all but the m who were going on the dangero I errand had been taken from the Mc ritme and the collier took a positii near the New York to await the a pointed hour. It was an impress! night among the men of the fleet, f few expected that the members the little crew would see the san n's The night was cloudy with fitf lightning flashes behind the da lines of the hostile shore, now ai then showing ihe grim shadows the battlements Soon after 3 o'cloc the black ball of the Merrimac beg' to drift slowly towards the land ac in a half hour was lost to sight was Lieut Hobson's plan to stea past Morro, swing crosswise tl channel, drop hie anchors, open tl valves explode the torpedoes on tl pop side, leap overboard precede by/ hi s crew and make their escar. in/a little lifeboat which was to we astern, if possible, and if not to a tempt to swim ashore. AU the me were heavily armed and ready i make a fierce resistance to capture Scarcely had the ship disappeare when a flash from Mono's guns prc claimed that she had been discoverer. Immediately the other batterie around the harbor opened fire, bt the ship went steadily on ; for tbi morning the top of-her masts can b seen in the water beyond Morro an near the Estrella battery A heav cannon and musketry fire continue for about a half hour, and guns wer fired at intervals until long after day light. None of the American ship dared to fire for fear of striking th Merrimac's crew. As daylight came on the stear launch could be seen cruising clos to the harbor entrance. , Until bali past 5 the search was continued an< then, under a shower of Spanisl shells, which flew wide of their mark Cadet Powell steamed away and ; half boor later boarded the New Yorl and reported to Admiral Ssmpsoi that ho believed the entire crew o tbe Merrimac had been lost. Not one of them did he catch sigh of. The Merrimac, he said, lay wei across the channel, her masts show iog that Lieut Hobson had done hi work well, sinking th e.sh ip almost ii the exact spot decided upon Th? channel is not as wide as the Merri mac's length, snd it ie impossible for the Spaniards to raise or destroy the wreck under the guns of thc American fleet Admiral Cervera is no longer i figure in the war The croiseri Cristobal Colon, Infanta Maria Teresa Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo arc known to be inside, and it is bel ie vee that two or three smaller warships possibly torpedo boats, are witt them. J * \ HOBSON, OF ALABAMA Naval Constructor Hobson, whose name is on every lip io Wa?hiugton, ? well-known at tbe navy department, ae be served in the bureau of COD?traction for several years. His associates re garded him as oom bi ni o g great ability as a student with the eccentricity often accompanying genius. It was remarked by one of the ohiel officials of the department to night that Hobson was a mao who held naval reg? ulations concerning matters of .form in contempt, aod was oblivious to official roles, t These dare devil characteristics were offset, however, by hts recognised ability in all brauche* of naval scie o ce, particularly architecture. Although tbe youngest man in bis oi?ss at the Naval Academy, be grad sated at the head of the class, a sigoal honor, whiob led to his beiog sent by the Govern? ment for a course in the naval schools of Europe. Here be gained new booors. On returning to this oountry be served with the department and.also saw sea service, and aboot a year Ugo became instructor, io oaval architecture at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Wheo the war broke out be asked for active service and at the same time in? sisted oo taking the three naval cadets of bis class with him in order tbat they might gain the advantage of praotical experience on shipboard during the war. WAS ABOAKD THE FLAGSHIP. As a .result be and bis turee cadets were assigned for. service on Admiral Sampson's flagship. It was the prevailing expres? sion at the department to-night that Hobson was jim the character to tase the lead io snob a hazardous feat as that cf sinking the Merrimac It is presumed ' that Admiral Sampson chose bim from among many volun? teers, owing to the fact that bis expert knowledge of naval oonstrootion would permit bim to siok the Merrimac in Buch position as to prove most effective io blockading the channel. SKETCHES OF HIS CAREER. From oaval sources a foll sketch of Constructor Hobson was secured as follows: Richmond Pearson Hobson, born August 17, 1870, at Greensboro, Hale County, Ala., where he also grad uated from the Southern University, at the bead of bis class. Appointed to the Naval Academy io a oompeti?ive ex amioatiot in May, 1885, and although (be youngest man of the class, gradu? ated at its head to 1889 His first crut ber was to Brasil, whoo the new Brazil? ian Republio was recognized. He was ordered to a special course abroad, spending one year at the National School of Mines at Paris, and two years at tbe School of Maritime Science in the same city. The sommer vacation was spent in French ship yards. He received diplomas from the French 8obool for distinction io naval construe tion and design, both of balls and en gines. He also spent some lime io the Eoglish ship yards He was assignee! to duty at the na? vy department in 1894, in the offices of oaval intelligence, bureau of construe tion and repair. While on this duty be wrote a report on bis observations abroad, also a report on disappearing guns afloat, which was discussed by oaval experts on bath sides of the wa? ter. Io 1895 be was on duty at the New York navy yard, BS assistant to the naval constructor. He inspected the yacht Defender a od made an interest? ing report on that priz J oraft Liter he joined Admiral B? o ce on the flag ship New York As a result of this service be inaugurated the oew system of giviog ses duty to naval oooatraetors. He proposed, organised and oooducted the post-graduate course at the United States Academy, fixing the special coarse at three yetrs for offioers desir? ing high attainments in naval soienoe. April 17 last bs was assigned to duty as ooostraotor for the fleet st Key West. Mr. Hobson is the author of a poli? tical naval miltary paper on the "Sit nation and Outlook in Ea rope," which bas received considerable attention abroad. During the China-Japan war be was selected as the American naval observer, bat bis selection was revoked, owing to the opposition of line offioers to those io the oooitroo tioo service. Constructor Hobson is a great np phew of Governor John Moorebead, of North Carolina. His father was a well known lawyer and Judge of tbat\ State. On the maternal line he is a grandson of Chief Justice Pearson, of North Carolina, and a nephew of Rep? resentative Pearson of that State. He is a great grandson of former Senator Willims, of Tennessee The Widely Known Naya! Commander Tells a New York Newspaper Man a Little. New York, June 3.-The United States auxiliary, cruiser St. Paul, Cap tain Sigsbee commanding, came into : port early to day. having passed the night at Sandy Hook. " After the St Paol bad cast anchor off Tompkins ville, 3.1., Captain 8igsbee, in civil ian attire, wen!; ashore and thence proceeded to the navy yard. After visiting Commodore Bunce, at tho navy yard, Captain S i gs bee consented to tall; to a reporter "It was on the 25th that we cap? tured tba Bestormel," be said. "I knew that the S paniards needed the coal very badly and I made every effort to see that they did not get it. 'Wile off Santiago with Schley I saw two Spanish cruisers which I am sore were the Vizcaya and the Cris tobal Colon and Schley saw two tor? pedo boa?s There is no question that they are bottled op as tight as can be in Santiago harbor. "I went in so close that I made sketches of their fortifications which I am sending to Washington. "Their gun? could easily have reached me, bul; the batteries made no attempt to fire, for what reason I do not know I am going to Wash iiigtOM with dispatches from the fleet, and as soon as we have coaled and provisioned we nball put to sea again This will probably not be for three or four days." - ?- -4mmr~ SAMPSON AND SCHLEY RELIED UPON TO DESTROY CBBVBSA'S SQUAD non. New York. June 3.-A special to the Tribune from Washington ssys : The contingency, clearly foreseen and provided tor in the orders sent to Major General Sbafter last Sunday, which might render superfluous the beginning of extended army opera tiona in the vicinity of Santiago, has now acquired important proportions, in view of the extremely formidable naval concentration which is reported off the southern coast of Cuba, and there bas been a cons?quent improve? ment in the prospects of an immedi? ate invasion of Forto Rico, with the likelihood of the occupation of San Juan itself before the middle of June. Army officers in Wasbingtonfbe Heve that the reported arrival of Ad mirai Sampson off Santiago, acd the presence there cf the peerless Ore? gon, signalize the confidence of the naval commanders that Cervera's rquadron may bo deetroyed without depending on assistance ashore, and, quickly following the reconnoitering skirmish of the iowa, the Massachu? setts and the New Orleans, a dec?s ive engagement would be under taken Should this conviction prove weil founded, the tioops now on the way to Mole St. Nicholas will not go South through the Windward Pass? age, but will continue their eastward course past Cape Ha?tien, and promptly begin the vigorous cam paign which has been mapped out for the seizure of Porto Rico. Since the departure of Gen Miles from Washington, the probability that army co operation would be im? perative at Santiago has materially diminished, particularly since the ef? fectiveness of Commodore Schley 's communications with the insurgent6 ashore became fully known and clear? ly appreciated by the officials here, now charged solely with supporting actual operations of fleets and armies The commodore's certainty that bo had Cerrera in the harbor and his re? quest for naval rather than military re? inforcements have given rise to ucqo.es-1 tionug assurances on tbe part of tbe highest authorities that be can safely be trusted to carry out tbe responsibilities wbioh have been imposed on bim. His demonstration tbat tbe Santiago batte? ries were insignificant to a degree that removed tbem troca serious considera? tion as essential elements io to? defense of that harbor, although theoretical strategists bad laboriously figured out that oaval guns could oot be sufficiently elevated to reach chem, bas cast grave doubt? on the efficiency of the alleged mioe fields with which the channel has been presumed to be protected, and if the impression of oaval officers here, ?ho probably reflect the opinions of the naval commandera OD tbe soeoe, that an attack OD the Spaoish squadron ioside the harbor would be attended with scarcely greater hazards tuan an engagement with it io the opeo sea, and with iofloitely improved chances of accomplishing its complete defeat. In view of the extreme latitude DOW allowed to fleet commanders, whose dis? cretion is practically unlimited by war boards or other officials distant from the front, it is evident that no one in Wash iogtoo, of whatever exalted authority, cao predict the character of the next report from the combined armored squadrons. Unquestionably to them the crucial battle of the war is immi? nent, unless all ?igt s ?ail, and it may bc a matter of hours rather than days before the receipt of news of ao occur? rence wbiob may te-odioate the war, or, in aoy event, draw the line sharply for the coodoot of all succeeding opera? tions. TO DESTROY TORPEDO BOATS. Navy Department to Test at Once a New Gan. New York, June 3 -The Davy de partaient will make an exhaustive test this w<-ek at the lucian Head proving grounds of an automatic one-pounder rifle said to be capable of firing 180 shots a minute, sayo the Washington correspondent of The Tribune. The tremendous advantage to be gaioed by such a weapoo /may be appreciated wheo it is said that the best goos now io the oaval service capable cf throwiog one pound projectiles are operated with well drilled orews at a speed never exceeding 15 to 20 shots a minute, and at that rate for a very brief period. The terrific effects oo light armor of saob a gun cao hardly be over estima ted, especially io act on against torpedo boats, which would be rendered alto? gether useless in tbe day time, and per*. haps*t night if a vigilant watch was maintained against their close approach. The effective range of ft torpedo i? scarcely half a mile, aod until a tor? pedo boat can approach within that distance of a battleship or other object of attack, its presence may be prac? tically ignored. Projectiles from a ooe pounder, how? ever, can penetrate any armor it has yet been fouod feasfble to place on tor? pedo destroyers, and a gun that can throw over a buodreci ooe-pouod shells within a minute would annihilate aoy existi? s torpedo boat before it could enter the requisite half-mile oirole mmm II i mm* Death of Capt Gridley, U. S. N. Washington, June 5 -Capt. Grid ley, commander of the cruiser Olym pia, and one of the heroes of the brilliant victory at Manila, is dead. The announcement of his death was received by the navy department late this afternoon in a cablegram from Paymaster Gall, of (he navy dated at Kobe, Japan, Juno 4, and directed to Secretary Long The dispatch con tained this simple statement : "Capt Giid?ey died to-day Remains ac? company me on Copetic." Capt. Vernon Gridley is the first American officer of great prominence whose death is a direct result of the existing war with Spain. As the commander of Admiral Dewey's splendid flag ship, atid. one of the admiral's chief advisers, Capt. Grid ley achieved distinction at the battle of Manila Bay and added to his pre? vious laurels by winning high praise from his superiors in the service for distinguished gallantry and ability. He fought his ship from the conning tower, while Admiral Dewey directed the movements of his squadron from the, bridge of his ve6?el It was not known for several weeks after the en? gagement that Capt Gridley had eui fered from it, and even now the pre? cise nature of his trou ble is not dis closed. Upon the arrival of the Zafire at Hong Kong on May 20 the navy de part ment was notified that Capt. Gridley had been condemned by a board of medical survey and inval ided home. Subsequent advices to the navy department indicated that he was suffering frere the effect of a rupture supposed to have been re? ceived during the battle of Manila The distinguished bravery and ability of Capt Gridley were recog? nized by the President, and had he lived promotion doubtless wou!d have been bis substantial reward. War io sewing machine^ but tbe "White" is victorious. Th<3 State Campaign. DOINGS OF THE DEMO? CRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Columbia, June 2 -The State Democratic executive committee met to-night to arrange for the State cam j paign Mr Cole L Blease moved the com mittee reduce the meetings to two in each judicial circuit He wanted it understood that he spoke for himself and the people and for the candidates Governor Ellerbe, he knew, was op posed to his view, but he felt it with in the province of the committee to reduce tbs number of meetings, aud it should be done. Col W\ A. Neal said that the com? mittee and Convention settled the matter, and that ought to settle it I The Convention wanted meetings I Mr Winkier said that the com mutee wanted no change. Mr Blease, in behalf of Mr. George S. Mower, asked a positive answer, yes or no, to the following questions : "Whether or not the suggestion of a candidate by the recent Prohibition Convention makes the person who is suggested and accepts, a candidate in tho Democratic primary, or is such nomination forbidden by the terms of the pledge prescribed by the con? stitution of the Democratic party of this State Z" Mr. Appelt thought the constitu? tion was emphatic, and did not think' that Mr. Mower couid run on the Prohibition ticket and sign tbe Demo eratic pledge. Mr. James did not think an in? dividual should receive such co nei? de ration He did not think Mr Mower should catechise Mr Donaldson wanted to know whether if such a pledge were filed for a Prohibition candidate, his vote would be counted. Any- one, he said, who abides by the result of the primary is a Democrat and should .have his vote counted These Pro? hibitionists are good Democrats and want to be Democrats. This is a moral question and not one of poli tics lt is Democratic to differ. They are. not opposed to Democracy. Mr. Appelt said that any Democrat could run, but not as a nominee of a convention. Mr. Williams said tbe last commit tee gave an answer thought to be favorable to the Prohibitionists. On that answer the Prohibition Conven? tion acted. It would be well to car? ry out the intimation given by the last committee What we want to avoid is a permanent division. The Prohibitionists "should have their votes counted. / Mr Lee, of Sumter, argued from every standpoint that these Prohibi? tion candidates should be allowed to run in the primary This committee was asked and upon its reply the Prohibitionists named a ticket. They acted upon the advice of the commit? tee. As a matter of policy the Pro? hibitionists should net* be denied the right to go into the primary. Mr. Lee went on to say that the language was a little clouded There can be no nomination until the pri? mary is held, and the rules are plain on that point. He did not under-I stand tbe Prohibitionists to be a fac? tion. . It is purely a morai question. Mr* Blease said that a Democrat was one who abided the platform of his country and State, and who abided the result of the primary Prohibition is separate and distinct, State, national and couuty He was not a Prohibitionist, and believed the dispensary law the very best so lut on of the liquor problem He opposed the Colieton plan, and he hoped it would never be repeated. Mr Williams said the committee was liberal with the Prohibitionists, and be proposed an answer. Mr. Dial, of Laurens, offered an? other answer,, and explained his view Factional nominations were wrong and are still wrong Mr Dial's a QB wer was tabled / Mr L. J. Williams's answer was then taken up. The oommittee refused to table Mr Williams's form of answer hy a vote of 17 to 13. Mr Lee off "red a substitute, which was killed Mr W. W Williams fioaiiy coved to answer "Yes." Candidates of a fao tion cannot be regarded as caodidates. Mr Donaldson said the answer wa.? still ambiguous. Mr Wilborn .-aid every Democrat should be allowed to come in if they sigo the pledge. The question had been discussed for over two long hours Mr W. W. William'^ answer read: "Yes, for candidates of a faction can hot be reoogirzsd." The vote stood as follow.-: Yeas, (against allowing Prohi? bitionist to ruo.) 9; "No." (to allow Prohibtioo candidates to ruo,) 21 The fioal vote stood as a tie. Tbe o m DI ir tr e first voted down tbe motion to answer "Yes, you would be debarred," 21 io 9, and theo tied on tbe direct answer, "No, you would not bo de i barnd." Mr. Appelt, with persistence, said that the executive oommittee siaoply replied tbat if tbe pledge were signed their votes would be counted. Tbe Prohibition nominations, be claimed, were directly contrary to the party con? stitution Col. Neal thought tbe oommittee ought to carry out tbe promise mad; ly the previous committee. Mr. W. D. Evans endorsed Col. Neal's position, aud said the oommittee should oot go back oo what it had al? ready done. Every one was weary of the matter, aod the following, offered by Mr. Diaj, was adopted : "We interpret the ooostitation as disfavoring factional nominations, bot if the pledges are signed by the candi? dates as individuals the votes will be couoted." The following is the campaign sched? ule adopted : Orangeburg, Thursday, June 16. St. George's, Friday, Juoe 17. Charleston, Saturday, June 18 Waiterboro, Monday, June 20. Beaufort, Tuesday, Juoe 21. Hampton, Wednesday, June 22 Barnwell, Friday, June 24. Bamberg, Saturday, June 25. Sumter, Tuesday, Juce 28. Manning, Wednesday, June 29. Monk's Corner, Thursday, June 30. Georgetown, Saturday, July 2. Kiogstree, Tuesday, July ?. Florence, Wednesday, Joly 6 Marioo, Thursday, Joly 7> Cooway, Saturday, Joly 9 Darlington, Tuesday, Joly 12. Chesterfield, Thursday, July 14. Bennettsville, Saturday, July 16 Bisbopville, Tuesday, July 19. Camdeo, Thursday, July 21. Lancaster, Saturday, July 23. Chester, Monday, July 25. Winnsboro, Tuesday, Joly 26. Yorkville, Wednesday, July 27. Gaffney, Thursday, July 28 Spartanburg, Friday, July 29 Union, Saturday, Joly 30. Newberry, Monday, August 8. Laurens, Tuesday, August 9. Greenville, Thursday, August ll. Piekeos, Friday, August 12. Walhalla, Moodsy, August 15. Andersoo, Tuesday, August 16 Abbeville Thursday, August 18. Greenwood, Friday, Aug ast 19. Aiken, Monday, August 22. Edge field, Tuesday, Aogast 23 Sal oda, Thursday, Auguit 25. Lexiogtoo, Friday, August 26 Colombia, Saturday, August 27. It was decided, on motion of Mr. Blease, to eui all State assessments 50 per cent. A motion was made to relieve all . county candidates and Congressmen from couoty assess m en ts-. It was brought out that Coogsessmeo especial* ly were badly bled at each ele ct too. Mr. Kaufmao offered a general sub? stitute that candidates assessed by.the State campaigo committee be not liable for oouuty assessments. Carried. Mr. Evans offered a set of rule* by which the Sooth Carolina volunteers cao vote fa the State elections, provided they are ia the United States. The roles prescribe that the votes of ali* qualified voters of this Stete shall be oast in the army camps.' with Sooth Carolina commissioned offioers as man? agers. The managers will count the votes aod make returns to the executive committee at Columbia, the returns being certified by the managers .aod the commander of the regiment. Re? ferred to a oommittee of five to act. On motion of Mr. Blease the rales regarding the fi Hog of pledges, which conflict were turned over to tho above committee of five for readiustmeot m mmm ? i mmu Troops Bave Landed. Seems to Have Been a Snip Load of Naval Apprentices. Habana, Jone 6 -United States warships opened fire at 8 o'clock rbis morning against the fortifications at San? tiago de Cuba. New York, June 6.-A special from Cape Haytien to-day reports at daylight this morning, under cover of Admiral Sampson's guns, a force of United States troops were landed at Aguadores, a short distance east of Santiago har? bor Mole, St. Nicholas, Hayti, June 6 - The United States transport Resolute, - formerly the Yorktown, has arrived off i Saotiago de Coba wirb appreoticse. The United States dispatch boat Su? wanee has also reached the fleet s?fela Fine weather continues to prevail (iff Santiago de Cuba. Cape Hay tien, Jone 6,10:50 a. m - At 8 o'obek this moroiog strong can? nonading was beard from the direction of Aguadores, a little east of Morro castle, which defends the eastern en? trance of the harbor of Santiago de / Coba A quarter of ao hour later the ooise of the cannonading greatly in? creased, the firing evidently proceed? ing from guns of the largest calibre 1:30 p m -Advices just received from Santiago de Cuba say the bom baidment of the port, the fortifications aod the neighboring landings, particu? larly Aguadores, continues. Habana, June 6 (From a Spanish Correspondent -At 8 o'clock tbis morniog 24 vessel of the American fleet opened tire upon the forts at the entrance to Samugo harbor and along tbe coast line. Tbe firing ceased about ll o'clock. Further details are not yet known here. Yesterday Col. Aldea, with a Span isb force, sustained a fire oear Punta Cabrora from the insurgents oo the land side and from the American war? ships. The Spanish forces are well entrenched on thc line from Siboney to Aguadores aod to day they checked an aitrmpt of the American forces to land, and repelled them. It is understood here that tbe mem? bers of tbe Merrimac crew who are im? prisoned at Santiago are well treaded, by the Spanish commander.