The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-19

tney ulu mol prove IN any Way dangerous
to our warships. The town of San Juan
is on one side of the bay and in the rear
of the town rise high hills. To reach the
city the ships must pass Moro Castle for
tifications and the battery of San Carlos,
situated on a promotory at the east en-
trance of the harbor. Besides they must
pass the Canuelo battery on Cabras Is
land.
The Plan Of Action
that our warships could be in position to
meet the Spanish vessels should they
emerge from the harbor. The following is
the official plan of action issued to the
American fleet:
1.-THE squadron will pass near Salinas
Point and then steer about east to pass
just outside the reefs off Cabras islands
The column is to be formed as follows
The Iowa. flagship; Indiana, New York.
Amphitrite and Terror. The Detroit is to
go ahead Of the Iowa a distance of 1000
yards. The Wampautuck to keep on the
Iowa's starboard bow, distant 500 yards.
The Detroit and Wampautuck to sound
constantly after land is closer. and to i'm
mediately signal II ten fathoms or less is
obtained. showing at night red light over
the stern and at daytime red flag aft
1.-THE Montgomery to remain in the rear
of the column, stopping outside of the fire
from MORO and on the lookout for torpedo
boats and destroyers. If Fort Canuelo
fires she is to be silenced. The Porter will
take station under cover of the Iowa on
the port side. The Niagara to remain
westward. off Salinas Point.
while approaching a sharp lookout is
to be kept on the coast between Salinas
Point and Cabras island for torpedo
boat destroyers. When near Cabras
island, one-half to one mile, the Detroit
will rapidly cross the mouth of the harbor
and be close under Moro to the westward,
screened from the fire of Morro's western
battery. If the old guns on the north side
of MORO fire, she is to silence them. Those
two cruisers are to keep on the lookout,
especially for Spanish torpedo boat de-
stroyers coming out of the harbor.
1.-THE Porter, when the action begins. Will
cross the harbor mouth behind the Iowa
and close under the cliff to the eastward of
the Detroit and torpedo any Spanish
cruiser trying to get out Of the harbor, but
she is not to attack destroyers,
1.-THE Wampautuck will tow one of her
boats with its mast shipped, flying q red
flag and having a boats anchor aboard, the
tug so arranged that she can stop the boat
and anchor at the same time. She is to
anchor the boat in about ten fathoms, with
Fort Canuelo and the western end of
Cabras island in range.
'There will be two objects for attack, the
batteries on the Moro Castle and the men,
of-war If 1t is clear that Spanish vessels
are lying in port, fire is to be opened upon
them as soon as they are discernible over
Cabras island. The motions of the flag
ship will be followed in this regard. If 1t
should become evident. however, that neu-
trail men-of-war are in the line of fire, a
flag of truce will probably be sent In be-
fore the vessels are opened upon. The
Porter is to hold herself in readiness for
this service.
"Care must be taken to avoid striking
the hospitals on Cabras island. If 1t be-
comes necessary to silence the MORO bat
teries portion of the fire will be directed
with this object but the principal object is
to destroy the ships.
AFTER passing the mouth of the harbor,
the Iowa will turn little to starboard
toward the town and will turn out with a
star-board helm and again pass to port,
and after passing Cabras island to the
westward she will turn again with star
board helm and pass as at first. Should
this plan be changed and 1t be decided to
hold the ships in front of the entrance, the
signal. stop will be made at the proper
time.
1.-THE Indiana New York and the moni-
tors will follow the motions OF the flagship
and remain in column.
."rhe course after Fort Canuelo Is brought
into range with the west of Cabras Island
will be cast by south
'.Should night fall with the post in the