A first book in American history with European beginnings . at caused this frightful disaster? Who was re-sponsible for the dastardly deed? Was the explosion anaccident, or was it a piece of Spanish treachery? Ameri-cans north, south, east, and west clamored for an explana-tion. A Court of Inquiry was appointed to sift the matterto the bottom and find the cause. And after many dayscame the report, The Maine was destroyed by the ex-plosion of a submarine mine. It was late in March when the Court of Inquiry madeits report. In April, Congress resolved to recognize the 376 GEORGE DEWEY independenc
A first book in American history with European beginnings . at caused this frightful disaster? Who was re-sponsible for the dastardly deed? Was the explosion anaccident, or was it a piece of Spanish treachery? Ameri-cans north, south, east, and west clamored for an explana-tion. A Court of Inquiry was appointed to sift the matterto the bottom and find the cause. And after many dayscame the report, The Maine was destroyed by the ex-plosion of a submarine mine. It was late in March when the Court of Inquiry madeits report. In April, Congress resolved to recognize the 376 GEORGE DEWEY independence of Cuba, and demanded that Spain give theCubans their liberty. Spain refused. Then the United States resolved totake up arms in Cubas behalf. Troops were called were sent to blockade the Cuban ports. PresidentMcKinley telegraphed Commodore George Dewey, in com-mand of our Asiatic squadron at Hong Kong, China, togo at once to Manila and to capture or destroy the Spanishfleet guarding that port. With all dispatch Dewey started for the Philippine. The Maine. Islands, and the last night of April saw his six war vesselsoutlined in the moonlight off Manila Bay. Before them opened the harbor, planted with subma-rine mines and protected by Spanish batteries. In theharbor lay the fleet Dewey had come to capture or de-stroy. And he meant to do it, cost what it the darkness of the night, the moonlight havingwaned, his flagship, the Olympia, led the way. By day-light the ships were off Manila and were fired upon byfive batteries and the Spanish fleet. Two mines explodedahead of Deweys flagship, but failed to harm it. 377 A FIRST BOOK IN AMERICAN HISTORY In line, one behind another, our ships advanced to battle. Commodore Dewey was on the flagships bridge. At last the moment of attack came, and Captain Gridley heard him say, You may fire when ready, Gridley. Our squadron opened fire at that morning. About the signal went upto stop firing and towithdraw fr
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