The age-herald., 1898-06-03
HOW SCHLEY FOUND THE SPANISH FLEET The American Commodore Well
 verSed in Strategy WARSHlPS COALED AT SEA Within Plain Sight of the Santiago Batteries, But Failed to Draw the Fire of the
 Forts-Religious Services
 Held on the Ships,
WARSHlPS COALED AT SEA

With the United States Fleet Off Santiago de Cuba, May 29, via Port Antonio, Jamaica, June 2-Four weeks after the victory. Of Rear Admiral Dewey at Manila, Commo- dore Schley, in command of the Flying squadron, had his shrewdness and perti- nacity rewarded by finding the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. For ten days he had, in the face of conflicting ru- mors, and some cases of alleged verlnca- tons, insisted that the ships of Spain were trying to make landing on the southern coast of Cuba
 This was evidently not in consonance with newspaper and official information, and his opinion was not given much public weight. In fact, it is believed that some days before he proved the correctness of his diagnosis of the situation he was to return to Key West. However, new facts gathered by him in the meantime gave him still more grounds for belief as to his proximity to the Spaniards
 The captain of the British steamer Adula, who was interviewed al Cienfuegos, told of seeing the Spanish fleet in the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, evidently awaiting op- portunities to get in.
 Cervera in Waiting
 Captain sigsbee of the St. Paul related how he had captured a Spanish coal vessel going into the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and Commodore Sehley argued from these two incidents that the fleet of Spain was waiting near some harbor near Santiago oe Cuba until such time as a visit fruitless in its results should be made by the Ameri- cans, when, upon their departure, the span ish fleet would run into the harbor.
 Commodore Schley determined to make that Visit and on Friday night he ran within six miles of the harbor. The St. Paul was then detached and sent back to keep out of sight with instructions to be ready at twenty knots clip to bring news to the commodore at any moment.
 From the American ships, the Spanish batteries were in plain view, but no doubt under preconcerted arrangement, for they made attempt to fire, and the flying squadron after circling around slowly steamed away in the direction of Key West as it's coal supply was becoming short There was collier with the squad ron, but there was no friendly harbor with smooth water and there was serious dan ger of smashing the collier if any attempt was made to coal the heavy battleships at sea. ..
 Resourceful and full of daring Commo- dore Schley showed forth, however, and at dark, with an original rigging to protect the ship, the Texas and Marblehead began to coal. They worked all night and at daybreak had filled their bunkers.
 By noon Saturday the converted yacht, the Vixen, had also coaled and at 10 o'clock, not having heard from the St. Paul, the American ships moved again towards Santiago de Cuba.
 Strict Watch Kept
 First standing off the coast about fifteen miles. the squadron afterwards circled in front of Moro Castle; but not close enough to get view of the inside harbor. guard ing carefully against the possibilities of 0 torpedo boat attack.
 At night the squadron was near point of land and in the morning the St. Paul came along, but did not report any knowl- edge of the Spanish fleets whereabouts
 Consequently Commodore Schley deter mined to find it himself, and with the flag ship in the lead he started towards the harbor The Spanish troops at the earth works and batteries could be seen, through glasses, preparing in haste to give :. the American ships as warm reception as possible.
 When about five miles from the batteries the lookouts reported the mastS of two ships, and Flag Lieutenant Sears and En- sign McCauley made out the first one to be the Cristobal Colon. Two torpedo boats were also made out and second vessel of the Nizcaya class was seen..
 
 upon the after bridge of the Brooklyn, making good use of his binoculars. Ar rived at the harbor entrance when the ships were sighted from the deck, he turned his eyes from the glasses long enough to wink and say: 'I told you I would find them. They will be long time getting home" The order to man the port batteries had been given and the men stripped to the waist, in a temperature considerably over 100 degrees. awaiting with impatience the word to fire
 But the commodore decided not to waste ammunition on the batteries and the men were disappointed. For the time being, however there was much quiet jubilation among the men over the prospect of a fight.
 Commodore Schley showed his evenness of temperament by ordering the Massachu- setts to take coal from the collier within view of the forts and warships of Spain.
 Religious Services Held
 On the Texas Captain Jack Phillips went through with the days routine, incIudng church services, at which the men with a refreshing directness of suggestion sang Pull for the Shore." As it was perfectly evident from the position of the Spanish warships on Sunday morning that they had either just entered the harbor, having learned of the supposed final departure of the American squadron or had been in hid- ing up the bay, which is about nine miles long, and had run down to go out Sunday