notice of their approach. The Spanish ships, under Admiral Montojo,
were waiting at a place called Cavité, seven miles from Manila. They
were protected by batteries on the shore. Having steady guns on the
shore should have been a great help to the Spaniards, as it is easier
to fire a steady gun than to fire a gun on a ship that is riding up
and down on the waves.

[Illustration: Battle of Manila Bay.]

The battle began a little after five o'clock, Sunday morning, May 1st,
1898. The Spaniards fired the first shot. All the vessels of our fleet
were out in the bay, but, as soon as the Spaniards began to fire, our
fighting ships started forward. They did not answer the Spanish fire
at first, but steamed up the bay, in a wide circle, toward the city of
Manila, then turned and came back toward Cavité. The Olympia led the
way. After her came the Baltimore, Raleigh, Concord, Petrel, and
Boston. All had their battle-flags flying.

[Illustration: Admiral Montojo.]

Uninjured by the enemy's shots, the Olympia and her train drew near
the Spanish forts and ships. At a distance of a little more than four
thousand yards, the Olympia fired, and the roar of her first gun was
the signal to her companions to open fire. Then the firing from both
sides became fast and furious. Our ships moved rapidly about, up and
down, past Cavité five times. Admiral Montojo came out in his
flagship, the Reina Christina, to attack the Olympia. The Olympia
poured such a storm of shot at her that she was compelled to turn back
toward the harbor. But the Reina Christina had met her doom. As she
turned, a huge shell from the Olympia struck her, set her on fire, and