The shelling of the Newport News shipyard and Hamilton Harbor continued until noon, after which the Spanish fleet departed, leaving behind a grimace and bitter faces of American soldiers and civilians.

As for the side of the Spanish fleet, the officers and men were elated, and how could it not be happy that such a successful attack had no casualties.

Sorry, it's not nothing, two twisted their feet in the battle, one more hit his head, and three people in the Spanish fleet were still injured.

The happiest of these were the two Garibaldi-class and the three Maria Teresa-class armored, and the Spanish officers and men on the ships cheered and cheered. As for the three Turin-class and the two Venetian-class, the Italian officers and men on the ship are all veterans of the battlefield, and although they are happy to hit the fixed target, they are not so happy.

Of course, the Spanish officers and soldiers who have experienced a few more naval battles will be like the Italian officers and soldiers.

"This battle has greatly boosted the morale of the officers and soldiers!"

On the flagship of the former Turin, now the Empress Isabel, Vice Admiral Cedera, the commander of the fleet, looked at the Italian mercenary officers and soldiers who were in a calm manner, and said to Colonel Lefeel beside him with envy.

"Yes, no one expected that the U.S. Navy was unprepared, I felt incredible. Although their warships are not strong enough, even if they come out, it will be useless, but that will give us a lot of trouble. But this is not what surprised me the most, but the lack of coastal fortifications made me think that the next battle was full of hope. ”

As he spoke, Colonel Leffel took out the chart and pointed to it. "We're off the coast of Newport News, just over 400 nautical miles from New York, the largest port in the United States. Considering that even the coastal defenses of Newport News are so poor, then New York will not be too high. ”

Lefel's words made Lieutenant General Sedra's eyes glow.

It was clear that Vice Admiral Cedera's heart was moved by this, and if the Spanish fleet did the same in New York, it would be a shock to the whole world, and the fact that three battleships were under construction at the Brooklyn shipyard in New York would be a great blow to American confidence. Maybe the Americans will cease the war and admit defeat.

Don't think that Lieutenant General Sedra is thinking nonsense, there is no need to say more about the importance of New York to the United States. If the largest city in the United States, the largest trading port, and the financial center were to be shelled, you can imagine how much it would shock the United States.

Of course, New York's defense is not at all comparable to Newport News, and its coastal fortifications alone have 6 shore defense guns of more than 200 mm and 18 of more than 100 mm caliber.

In addition, the fleet's attack on Newport News has already revealed its whereabouts, and the coastal cities of the United States must be on guard, and it is impossible to carry out another raid. Moreover, there is a fleet in the north of the United States, although the combat effectiveness is not as high as in the south, but if there is the cooperation of shore defense batteries, it will still cause problems for the Spanish fleet. It is also difficult to carry out the task smoothly.

Perhaps Vice Admiral Cedra did not know that the US North Atlantic Fleet, which he had been obsessed with, was not far from him.

In the Atlantic, a fleet under the flag of the US Navy is sailing south. This fleet consisted of the battleship Iowa, the USS New York, and the Atlanta and Boston protective cruisers. The fleet, led by Colonel Lorant, was heading towards the Jacksonville military port.

The reason is very simple, didn't Rear Admiral Samplin discover the traces of the Spanish fleet before, and in order to strengthen his fleet in order to engage it, he sent a telegram to recall the fleet sent to the north of the east coast.

Of course, this recall is not easy, and it can only be done after a lot of fighting.

"Send a telegram to the Hamilton Naval Harbor and tell them that we are almost there, and have the Texas ready to join us."

On board the flagship Iowa, the commander, Colonel Lorant, gave the order.

Now that they were only forty nautical miles from the Hamilton Naval Port, it was fitting to send a telegram to the Texas in advance.

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

After a while, I saw the communications officer rush back with a constipated look on his face.

"Colonel, we sent a telegram to the Hamilton Military Port and no one responded."

"You send it a few more times."

"I've sent it several times, but there has been no response from the Hamilton Naval Port. I tried to send a telegram to Newport News, but no one responded. ”

Hearing the communications officer's answer, the commander, Colonel Lorant, asked with a hint of confusion. "Is our telegraph malfunctioning again?"

"I also checked and the telegraph is working properly and there is no fault. I suspect that it is because of the weather, which may be causing the communication distance to be insufficient? ”

The communications officer didn't think much about not being able to get in touch, but instead took into account the weather.

It is not surprising that this radio communication has received more interference factors, and the interference is at most the influence of the weather. This is also quite possible, given the changing weather at sea. However, I don't know how bad the weather is at the Hamilton Military Port, which can affect the Marconi N-3 transceiver with a communication distance of 100 kilometers.

That's right, at present, the sea ships of various countries use the Marconi telegraph, and this N-3 model, which is the latest model launched by Marconi last year, can reach a maximum communication distance of 100 kilometers, and can reach 120 kilometers in good weather.

At present, the world's newest radio transceiver is the N-5 model, which has not yet been launched by Marconi and can reach 150 kilometers.

The situation of Hamilton Naval Port could not be contacted, and Colonel Lorant did not think much about it, and continued to sail south.

But it didn't take long for the lookout to shout. "There seems to be something ahead, like a fleet."

The column of smoke that appeared at the junction of the sea and the sky made the lookout have to remind him.

"Don't worry, it's the merchant fleet."

The officer didn't think much of it, after all, the East Coast was busy with trade, and it was very normal to encounter a fleet.

"But this column of smoke looks a little strange, and the distance it moves is a little fast."

The lookout, who is unwilling to give up, wants to defend himself.

"Alright, Loew, don't make a fuss, this could be a fast merchant ship carrying high-value cargo, what are you worried about?"

The observer, who had been taught a lesson, stopped talking.

However, as the distance approached, the opposing fleet also appeared, and it was heading towards them at high speed.

"Why does this figure look a bit like a warship?"

Something is wrong with the observation hand.

"No, there's a warship coming towards us."

The reacting observer immediately reported his discovery loudly.

"What?"

The officer leaned over to look at the high-powered binoculars and took a closer look, and it was really a warship.

"Not good, there are warships approaching."

The officer who came to the conclusion immediately sounded the siren, while the other ships also sounded the alarm, announcing the news that a warship was approaching.

"What's going on?"

Alerted by the sound of the siren, Colonel Lorant immediately came to the command room.

"Report to the Colonel, a warship is approaching us."

"What?"

Shocked by the news, he immediately raised his telescope and looked over.

Before he could see it, he heard shouts from the observation post. "Not good, it's a Spanish battleship, it's the enemy's fleet, three Turin-class battleships, two Garibaldi-class battleships, two Venetian-class battleships, three Maria Teresa-class battleships, why are they here?"

"Why are they here?" This is also what Colonel Lorant wants to ask. But now he can't care about this problem, and now he needs to think about what to do next, fight or escape, this is a difficult choice.

"Sir, what are we going to do?"

"Sir, the other warships are questioning us."

"Sir, make a decision."

Colonel Lorant had never felt that the choice was so difficult to order, but he said with difficulty as he looked at the enemy ships that were becoming clearer and clearer. "Order the ships, retreat, and the ships will withdraw on their own, return to New York, and tell them that the Spanish fleet is coming."

While Colonel Lorante ordered the retreat, Vice Admiral Cedra, who was on the side of the Spanish overseer, looked at the American fleet that appeared in front of him and showed ecstasy.

It must have been his own prayers that God heard, otherwise how could he have sent an American fleet to himself. Although the enemy is turning and trying to escape, how can they be allowed to run in this situation.

"Order all ships to pursue immediately, the three battleships target the opponent's Iowa, Columbus and Francisco, the target gives priority to the opponent's New York, and the other ships choose their opponents in turn."

In fact, it was not only him, but the officers and men on the battleship all showed the same expression, and even Colonel Leffel, who had always been very steady, changed his face.

Although Vice Admiral Cedra was ambitious to take down all the opponent's ships, he still carefully chose to take the most threatening targets first, that is, the battleship Iowa and the New York cruiser.

The Iowa has a maximum speed of 16 knots, while the New York has a top speed of 20 knots, the Turin class has a maximum speed of 18 knots, and the two Garibaldi classes have a speed of up to 23 knots. In terms of speed, it is decided that they will not be able to run, and their only hope is to drag until sunset and escape from the pursuit with the help of the cover of night.

As for now, it's just a matter of asking for more blessings!