American Men of Action

's squadron consisted of seven vessels, of which one was a revenue
cutter, and two colliers. He was many thousands of miles from the
nearest base of supplies and to fail would mean that he would have to
surrender. So, on that momentous voyage, he drilled and drilled his men,
until their discipline was perfect. On April 30, land was sighted, and
precautions were redoubled, since the enemy might be encountered at any
moment. Careful search failed to reveal the Spaniards in Subig Bay, and
at six o'clock in the evening, Dewey announced to his officers that he
had determined to force Manila Bay that night. At nine o'clock the fleet
was off the bay, all lights were extinguished save one at the stern of
each ship to serve as a guide for the one following, and even that
light was carefully screened on both sides so that it could not be seen
from the shore. Then the fleet headed for the harbor mouth.

What the defenses of the channel were, no one knew. It was reported to
be full of torpedoes. But perhaps Dewey remembered Farragut at Mobile
Bay. At any rate, he did not hesitate, but kept straight on, and the
fleet had almost passed the harbor mouth, before its presence was
discovered. Then the shore batteries opened, but without effect, and the
entire squadron passed safely into the harbor. Then followed long hours
of waiting for the dawn, and at five o'clock came the signal, "Prepare
for action," for the Spanish fleet had been sighted at anchor far down
the harbor.

Fifteen minutes later, the Spaniards opened fire, but Dewey went
silently on toward his goal. Suddenly, a short distance away, there was
a dull explosion, and a great mass of water and mud sprang into the air.
A mine had been exploded; the fleet had entered the mine fields. Now, if
ever, it would be blown into eternity, but there was no pause in the
progress of that silent line of battle. From the bridge of the Olympia,
the most exposed position in the squadron, Dewey watched the progress of
his ships. In the conning tower, eager

John Addington Symonds (October 5, 1840 - April 19, 1893) was an English poet and literary critic. He was an early advocate of the validity of male love which included for him pederastic as well as egalitarian relationships, and which he would refer to as lamour de limpossible.

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