IOWA HISTORICAL RECORD VOL. XIV. OCTOBER, 1898. THE IOWA AS A DEFENDER. No. 4. BY A. N. HARBERT. HE Iowa was with the North Atlantic fleet during the conflict between the United States and Spain, which was a favorable station for proving her efficiency in warfare. The first service rendered by her was in the blockade of Havana, which commenced April 22, and was continued by her until May 4, when Admiral Sampson, with seven of the war ships, went on a cruise, the object being to locate the Spanish fleet, whose whereabouts were clouded in mystery. The task of locating on the water, a swift-moving enemy, which was trying to be elusive, proved not to be an easy one, and it was decided to make San Juan, which was bombarded at daybreak, May 12, the objective point of attack. The battleship Iowa was in the lead of the attacking column, and went directly under the walls of the fortifications, when suddenly her forward twelve-inch guns delivered a broadside which was continued for a period of fourteen minutes and was repeated in turn by each of the attacking ships. The column passed in front of the forts three different times, pouring tons of steel into the defenses of the city. The XIV-4-23. |