The bombardment of the Newport News Shipyard and Hamilton Harbor continued until noon, and then the Spanish fleet sailed away, leaving behind a mess of debris and bitter-faced American soldiers and civilians.
As for the Spanish fleet, the officers and soldiers were in high spirits. How could they not be happy about such a successful attack with no casualties.
Sorry, it's not nothing. Two people sprained their feet during the battle, and one person hit his head. Three people in the Spanish fleet were injured.
The happiest things here are the two Garibaldi-class ships and the three Maria Theresa-class armored ships. The Spanish officers and soldiers on the ships cheered and cheered. As for the three Turin-class ships and the two Venetian-class ships, the Italian officers and soldiers on the ships were very happy.
They are all veterans who have been on the battlefield for a long time. Although they are happy to be shooting at a fixed target, they are not so happy.
The difference between the two can be seen from the reactions of the officers and soldiers on both sides. Of course, the Spanish officers and soldiers will be like the Italian officers and soldiers after experiencing the baptism of several naval battles.
"This battle has greatly improved the morale of the officers and soldiers!"
On the flagship, the original Turin, now the Empress Isabel Spirit, the fleet commander, Vice Admiral Cedella, looked at the calm Italian mercenary officers and soldiers, and said to Colonel Leifer next to him with envy.
"Yes, no one expected that the U.S. Navy would have no defense at all. I find it incredible. Although their warships are not strong enough, even if they come out, they will be useless, but they will cause us a lot of trouble. But this does not count.
What surprised me most was the lack of coastal defenses, which made me think that the next battle was full of hope."
As he spoke, Colonel Leifer took out the chart and pointed at it and said, "We are currently off the coast of Newport News, which is only more than 400 nautical miles away from New York, the largest port in the United States. Considering the coastal defenses of Newport News,
If the fortifications are so poor, then New York won’t be too high.”
Leifer's words made Lieutenant General Sedra's eyes shine.
Obviously these words moved Vice Admiral Cedela. If the Spanish fleet did that in New York, it would definitely shock the whole world. Moreover, three battleships are being built at the Brooklyn Shipyard in New York, which would be a huge blow.
Americans have confidence. It is possible that the Americans will cease the war and admit defeat.
Don't think that Lieutenant General Sedra is just thinking. It goes without saying how important New York is to the United States. It is the largest city in the United States, the largest trading port, and a financial center. If this city is bombarded, it will have a profound impact on the United States.
How big it is is imaginable.
Of course, New York's defense is not comparable to that of Newport News. Its coastal defenses alone include 6 shore defense guns with a diameter of 200 mm or more, and 18 guns with a caliber of 100 mm or more.
In addition, the fleet's attack on Newport News has exposed its whereabouts, and American coastal cities must be on standby. It is simply impossible to conduct a surprise attack. Moreover, there is also a fleet in the north of the United States. Although its combat effectiveness is not as high as that in the south, if
With the cooperation of coastal defense batteries, it will still cause trouble to the Spanish fleet. It is also difficult to successfully carry out the mission.
Perhaps Lieutenant General Sedra didn't know that the U.S. North Atlantic Fleet that he had been obsessed with was not far away from him.
In the Atlantic, a fleet flying the flag of the United States Navy is sailing south. This fleet is composed of the battleship Iowa, the cruiser New York, and the protected cruisers Atlanta and Boston. The fleet is under the command of Colonel Lorante.
Under the leadership of the police, it is sailing towards the Jacksonville Military Port.
The reason is very simple. Didn't Major General Samplin discover traces of the Spanish fleet before? In order to strengthen the strength of his fleet in order to fight with it, he sent a telegram to recall the fleet that had been sent to the northern part of the east coast.
Of course, it was not easy to recall him, and it took a lot of wrangling before he could make the trip.
"Send a telegram to Hamilton Naval Port to tell them we are approaching and have the Texas prepare to rendezvous with us."
On the flagship USS Iowa, the commander, Colonel Lorante, issued the order.
Now that they were only forty nautical miles away from Hamilton Naval Port, it was just right to send a telegram to the Texas in advance.
"As you command, Your Excellency!"
After a while, the communications officer came back with a constipated look on his face.
"Colonel, we sent a telegram to Hamilton Military Port and there was no response."
"Send it a few more times."
"Colonel, I have sent this message several times, but there has been no response from Hamilton Military Port. I tried sending a telegram to Newport News, but no one responded."
After hearing the communications officer's answer, the commander, Colonel Lorante, asked with a hint of doubt, "Is our telegraph machine malfunctioning again?"
"I have also checked that the telegraph machine is running normally and there is no fault. I wonder if it is due to the influence of the weather, which may cause the communication distance to be insufficient?"
The communications officer didn't think too much about his failure to contact him. Instead, he considered the weather.
This is not surprising. This radio communication originally received more interference factors, and the most interference was caused by weather. Considering the weather changes at sea, this is also very possible. But I just don’t know how bad the weather is at Hamilton Military Port.
It's so bad that it can actually affect the Marconi n-3 transceiver with a communication distance of 100 kilometers.
That's right, Marconi telegraphs are currently used by maritime ships in various countries, and this n-3 model is the latest model launched by Marconi last year. The maximum communication distance can reach 100 kilometers, and 120 kilometers under good weather conditions.
can be achieved.
The latest radio transceiver in the world is the n-5 model, which has not yet been launched by Marconi Company, and can reach 150 kilometers.
Colonel Roland didn't think much about the fact that he couldn't contact Hamilton Military Port. He would always be able to contact him if he continued sailing south.
But not long after, the lookout shouted, "There seems to be something ahead, like a fleet of ships."
The plume of smoke that appeared where the sea and the sky met made the lookout have to remind them.
"Don't worry, it should be the merchant navy."
The officer didn't think much about it. After all, the east coast was busy with trade, and it was very normal to encounter a fleet.
"But this smoke column looks a bit strange and moves a bit fast."
The watchman, who was unwilling to give up, wanted to defend himself.
"Okay, Loew, don't make a fuss. This may be a fast merchant ship transporting high-value goods. What are you worried about?"
Observer, who had been taught a lesson, stopped talking.
However, as the distance got closer, the opponent's fleet also appeared, and it was heading towards them at high speed.
"Why does this figure look a bit like a warship?"
Something feels wrong with the observation hand.
"No, there is a warship coming towards us."
The observers who reacted immediately loudly reported their findings.
"What?"
The officer looked closely at the high-powered telescope and saw that it was indeed a warship.
"No, a warship is approaching."
The officer who came to the conclusion immediately sounded the alarm, and at the same time, other ships also sounded the alarm, announcing the news of the approaching warship.
"What's going on?"
Colonel Lorante, alerted by the siren, immediately came to the command room.
"Report to the colonel that a warship is approaching us."
"What?"
Shocked by the news, he immediately raised his telescope and looked over.
Before he could understand, he heard shouts from the observation post. "No, it's a Spanish battleship, the enemy's fleet, three Turin-class battleships, two Garibaldi-class cruisers, and two Venetian-class ships
Equipment patrol, three Maria Teresa-class equipment patrols, why are they here?"
"Why are they here?" This is what Colonel Lorante wanted to ask. But now he can't care about this question. Now he needs to consider what to do next, fight or flee. This is a difficult choice.
"Sir, what should we do?"
"Sir, other warships are questioning us."
"Sir, make your decision."
Colonel Laurent had never felt that it was so difficult to make a choice, but looking at the enemy ships that were getting clearer and clearer, he said with difficulty. "Order each ship to retreat. Each ship will evacuate on its own, return to New York, and tell them that the Spanish fleet is coming.
"
When Colonel Lorante ordered the retreat, Vice Admiral Cedella, who was supervising the Spanish side, looked at the American fleet that appeared in front of him and showed ecstasy.
God must have heard his prayers, otherwise how could he have sent an American fleet in front of him. Although the enemy was turning to escape, how could he let them escape under such circumstances?
"Order all ships to pursue immediately. The three battleships will target the USS Iowa, Columbus, and Francisco. The target priority will be the USS New York, and the other ships will choose their opponents in turn."
In fact, it wasn't just him, all the officers and soldiers on the battleship had the same expression. Even Colonel Leifer, who had always been very steady, changed his expression.
Although Lieutenant General Sedra was ambitious and wanted to capture all the opponent's battleships, he still carefully chose to capture the most threatening targets first, which were the battleship USS Iowa and the cruiser USS New York.
Among them, the Iowa's top speed is only 16 knots, while the New York's top speed is 20 knots, while the Turin class has a top speed of 18 knots, and the two Garibaldi classes have a top speed of 23 knots. In terms of speed, they determine the speed they run.
No, the only hope is to wait until sunset and use the cover of darkness to escape pursuit.
As for now, all you have to do is seek your own blessings!
