The San Francisco call., 1898-07-28
U. s. FLAGSHIP NEW YORK.
 First Rate.


 follows:
 U. s. FLAGSHIP NEW YORK,
 First Rate.
 Of Santiago de Cuba, June ?.
 The fleet off Santiago de Cuba will be organized during the operations against that port and the Spanish squadron as follows:
 First squadron, under the personal com mand of the commander-in-chief-N York. Iowa. Oregon, New Orleans, May flower. Porter.
 Second squadron. under command of Commodore Brooklyn. ', Ssachu- setts, Texas. Marblehead, Vixe,
 Vessels subsequently, joining will be as- signed by the commander-in-chief
 The vessels will blockade Santiago de Cuba closely keeping about six miles from the Morro in the day time and clos ing in at night, the lighter vessels well in shore. The first squadron will blockade on the east side of the port, and the sec ond squadron on the west side. If the en- emy tries to escape the ships must close and engage as soon as possible and en- deavOT 10 sink the vessels or force them Ia run ashore in the channel. It is not con- sidered that the shore batteries are of sufficient power to do any material injury to 5attleships.
 In smooth weather the vessels will coal on station. If withdrawn to coal else where. or for other duty, the bIockadine vessels on either side will cover the angle thus left vacant.
 Memorandum No. 13-After careful con- siceratfon of the various schemes of maintaining an effective blockade of San tiago de Cuba at night which have been advanced. I have decided upon the fol- lowing, which will be maintained until further orders:
 The weather permitting, three picket launches, detailed from the ships of the squadron each evening, will occupy oosi- tons one mile from the Morro. one +o ina eastward, one to the westward and one at the harbor entrance. On a circle drawn vii 5tr}.r rss}itts of two miles from the oI0Iro will be stationed three vessels. the Vixen to the westward. from one-half mile to one mile from the shore; the Su- vance south of the Morro and the Dol phin to the eastward, between one-haIf mile and one mile from the shore Tho remaining vessels will retain the positions already occupied; but they will take es- pecial care to keep within a four-rDile cir cle
 All vessels may turn their engines whenever desirable to keep them fin readt- ness Tor Immediate use and while SD do Ing may turn in a small circle, but with out losing proper bearing or distance.
 The signal for the enemy will be two red lights fired in succession. If the enemy IS torpedo boat, these two red hghts will be followed by green light.
 would call attention to the absolute necessity of close blockade of this -,o-+ especially at night and in bad weather In the daytime. If clear. the distance snail not be greater than six miles At nlgnt or in thick weather, not more than Tour miles. The end to be attained i,,stj- lies the risk of torpedo attack. and that risk must be taken The escape Of the Spanish vAsssrs o. this Juncture would be a serious b1o-r, to our prestige and speedy end to inc war. ''0 Attention Is called to the nrovizto,,o, signals established by general order No. Q Memorandum No. 14-DuTing the darl- hours of the night searchHghts will he used as follows:
 The Iowa, Oregon and Massacb,,so++, will take turns of two hours each-fror, dark to p. m. and from D. m to m ?. m., etc.-in keeping one searcbliRht 5i- rectly on the harbor entrance. noafn+atn- ing carefully during that time their bIoclx- ading positions. Should a vessels ugbt fail, the next in order will at once take m, the duty.
 The picket launch and vidette sta toned south of the Morro will move to one side or the other sufficiently to get clear of the beam of light.
 The vessels on each flank-the Brooklyn and the Texas on the western side, the New York and the New Orleans on the eastern side-wilI take two hours in turn in using one searchlight from time to time on the coast line, swinging 1t to- ward the Moro, but avoiding the illumi- nation of the flanking videttes on the in- side line. The light should never be turned off more than five minutes at q time. From time to time the horizon will be swept
 Attention is called to bad and careless handling of searchlights. Last night some of the lights were kept high in the air and again were swept rapidly from side to side. Under such circumstances a searchhght Is worse than useless. The beams must be directed to the horizon and must be moved very steadily and slowly. Not less than three nInu+es should be employed In sweeping through an area of 60 degrees. The best way to discover torpedo boat Is by its smoke. ana even then this will not be seen l1n- Cess the light is very well handled.
 Memorandum No. H-The Commanding OIlcer-Slr; When on the blockade. yes -~N~ ''+'A' N44ASSo AOI some special porarS reason for the contrary hah,tuaI- ly head toward the lead instead of away from 1t. memorandum No. 1S-Sir: While block ading the Spanish fleet in Santiago de Cuba vessels will hereafter maintain a blockading distance of four miles during the day time. This distance will not be exceeded except by permission or under special circumstances.
 Memorandum No. 2O-sir: The com desires again to call the attention of commanding officers to tbe positions occupied by the blookadine fleet. especially during the day time. and 1t is now directed that all ships keen within a distance of four miles of the of Santiago, and this distance must not be exceeded.
 If the vessel is coaling or is otherwise restricted in her movements, she must nevertheless, keep within this distance. If at any time the flagship makes a signal which is not visible to any ves- sel, each vessel must at once approach