USS McCulloch
May 1
st, 1898
Off El Fraile, Philippines
At 12:15, having passed El Fraile, a battery on the Southern shore, at this time in range with the rock, fired 3 shots which were answered by the Boston with two shots and by this vessel with 3 rounds from stb’d after 6 pdr RF gun. No further shots were exchanged, steaming up the bay abreast the flagship.
0100: Received signal "Steam 4 knots". Chief Eng'r F.B. Randall, while on duty in engine room, was stricken with an attack of heat apoplexy brought on by high temperature of the place and became prostrated and unconscious.
0152: Surgeon Gum reported him to be very low and, at latter's request, signaled flagship "Chief Eng'r dangerously low, doctor requests consultation", but received only "Impossible".
At 02:08, the surgeon reported Chief Engineer Randell dead from an attack of Heat apoplexy. Officers and crew slept at quarters, battery cast loose and loaded.
0447: At daylight squadron approached Kavite, flagship signaled "Prepare for guns at action".
0515: Shore battery at Kavite and Spanish war vessels at entrance to that bay opened fire which was returned by our squadron steaming at slow speed under port helm thus rounding about and returning fire from Stb’d battery, afterwards performing same evolution a second time, a brisk and spirited action ensuing.
At 7:30, flagship signaled "Withdraw from action" followed by "let the men go for breakfast."
At 08:30, hauled off into Bay out of range and stopped in response to signal.
At 9:00, signal "Comd'g Officer repair on board". Vessel stopped until 10:00 awaiting return of Comd'g Officer from flagship. Muster omitted owing to existing circumstances.
1030: Underway and proceeded to intercept British Steamer "Esmeralda" bound in, ordered her to anchor till action was over, and to have or allow us communication with him. Fleet meantime proceeded to again engage force in Kavite, shortly silencing shore battery while no Spanish ship offered resistance, the flagship having been fired in AM engagement and thus others later.
1245: Enemy surrendered Kavite. Leaving Concord and Petrel to enter the bay, the squadron steamed towards Manilla.
At 1:53, Olympia anchored off Manilla, signaled this vessel to communicate and directed a boat to be sent to her for American Consul Williams. Complied and took Consul to Br. Ship Buceburgh on official business.
At 4:00, communicated with Olympia, requesting services of Chaplin Frasier to bury Chief Eng'r Randell. Having Chaplain on board, steamed down bay and at 4:15 stopped. Chaplain Frazier read the service for the dead, officers and crew being mustered in stb’d waist, body reposing at the Stb’d gangway covered with union flag.
At 4:20, committed the remains of Chief Eng'r F.B. Randall to the deep and fired 3 volleys from a party of 16 men, bugler then sounded "Taps". This action was in accordance with advice from Com’dr in Chief, it being problematic when the opportunity would offer to inter the body on shore.
At 5:00, anchored abreast Olympia.
At 6:15, received signals "F", "Be ready to get underway".
At 7:40, underway and in compliance with instructions took position off mouth of the Pasig river, town of Manila, to prevent and vessels, war or otherwise from leaving port, coming to at 8:00.
At 9:00 shifted anchorage 1/2 mile off shore, came to 9:15. Cast loose battery stationed two sentinels on poop and topgallant forecastle and kept vigilant watch on surroundings. No movements on shore or afloat observed during watch.
