7:45 a.m.
Men could also be seen running about in some new batteries a little to the eastward of Morro Castle . It was evident to us at once that the enemy had not anticipated an attack on such a rainy , windy day . On swept the two lines of ships without firing a shot until they formed a semicircle , with the heavier vessels directly facing the forts ; then the `` New York '' opened fire with one of her heavy guns , the `` Iowa '' following immediately . At this moment , 7:45 a.m. , the ships were arranged as follows , counting from the right : `` New York , '' `` Yankee , '' `` New Orleans , '' `` Massachusetts , '' `` Oregon , '' `` Iowa , '' `` Indiana , '' `` Texas , '' `` Marblehead , '' and `` Brooklyn . '' Guarding the extreme left were the `` Vixen '' and `` Suwanee , '' and doing similar duty on the other flank were the `` Dolphin '' and `` Porter . '' The shot from the flagship was the signal for a general bombardment . There was no settled order of firing , but each ship just `` pitched in , '' to use a common expression , and banged away at the forts with every available gun .