Yes the Hyatt did returned fire.
"The Hyatt's crew prepared for the worst. a minute later the pirate crusier opened fire on the Hyatt. The first shot landed short, and the second long.
Hyatt returned fire at range, but the pirate vessel seemed closer than it actually was....maybe it really is that big?"
The 5.9 inch guns from Hyatt landed short, gauging the range wrong, as
A. The ship has just finishing being worked up.
B. Had a relatively new crew.
C. Deathshadow is larger than she seems (blame Walter for that).
After the Deathshadow hit the Hyatt...the Chileans were unable to return fire effectively, and began to retreat.
And not American science fiction....Japanese science fiction
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(The Alfonso XII is not a pre-dreadnought, but an old unprotected cruiser type. I imagine this one was a knock off, or a sistership, if not the original. I also imagine it has been upgraded at least a little bit since 1887. The real Alfonso XII was in Havana harbor when the U.S.S. Maine exploded.)
Classification: First Class Cruiser (Unprotected)
Launched: August 21, 1887
Commissioned: 1891
Rig: Three masts
Armament: Six 16 centimeter Hontoria guns
Three 57 millimeter Nordenfelt guns
Two 42 millimeter Nordenfelt guns
Six 37 mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannons
Three Gatling Guns
Five torpedo tubes
Contractor: Spanish Naval Shipyard at Ferrol
Length: 84 meters
Beam: 13 meters
Draft: 6.7 meters
Displacement 3,900 tons
Compliment: 380 Men under the command of Manuel Eliza
Engine Type: Single screw, 4,100 hp.
Speed: 15 knots (design) 12.5 (actual)
Sail Surface 1725 sq. meters
Coal bunker capacity: 720 tons
Range 4,000 nautical miles
Armor: Unarmored, 3/8 inch steel on slopes and flats.
Cost: Cost: $490,000 (for hull and machinery).