Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-06-02
SAMPSON NOW IN COMMAND AT SANTIAGO De CUBA HARBoR

ing rumors and In some cases Of
alleged verlfications, insisted that the
chips of Spain were trying to mako Q
landing on the southern coast of Cuba.
The Captain Of the British steamer
Adula, who was interviewed at Glen
fueg0s, testified to seeing Spanish
feet in the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba,
EVIDENTLY AWAITING OPPORTUNITIES
to get in. Captain Sigsbee, of the st.
Paul, related how he captured q Span
ish coal vessel going into the harbor Of
Santiago de Cuba. Commodore Schley
argued from these tive incidents that
the feet OF Spain was waiting in some
haven near Santiago, until such time
as visit, fruitless in results, should be
made there by the Americans, when,
upon their departure. the Spanish fleet
would run into tho harbor. Schley de-
termined to make that visit, and during
Friday night ran within six miles of
the harhor. The st. Paul was then sent
back to keep out of sight, with in
structions to be ready at a twenty>knot
clip to bring the news TO the C0mmo-
dore at any moment. From the
American ships the Spanish batteries
were in plain view, but no doubt under
preconserted arrangement, for they
made no attempts to fire, and the Fly>.
ing Squadron, after circling around
slowly, steamed away in the direction
Of Key West, as its coal supply was
getting short.
GOALS AT SEA.
There was collier with the squad
rem, but there was no friendly harbor
with smooth water, and there was seri
Gus danger Of smashing the collier if
an attempt was made to coal any of
the battleships at sea. Resourceful and
daring, Commodore Schley showed
forth, however, and at dark, with an
original rigging to protect the ships,
the Marblehead began to coal. They
worked all night and at daybreak bad
filed their bunkers. Saturday noon. the
converted yacht Vixen had also coaled,
and at o'clock, not having heard from
the st. Paul, the warships moved again
towards Santiago. Standing off the
coast about fifteen miles, the squadron
afterwards circled in front of Moro
Castle, but not close enough 10 get u
view of the inside of the barber. guard
ing carefully all the time against the
possibilities of torpedo boat attack.
At night the squadron lay off point
of land On the morning of Sunday,
the st. Paul came along but did not
REPORT ANY KNOWLEDGE
of the Spanish fleets whereabouts.
Consequently Schley determined to find
it himself, aud with his flagship in the
lead started towards the harbor The
troops at the earth works and batteries
could be seen, through glasses, prepar-
ing in haste to give the American ships
as warm reception IS possible. When
about five miles from the batteries the
l0okouts reported tbs masts of two
ships. Lieutenant Sears and Ensign
mada out the first one to be
the Cristobal Colon. Two torpedo
boats were also made out, and second
vessel of the Viscaya class was seen.
All this time Commodore Schley was
upon the aft bridge Of the Brooklyn,
making good use of his binoculars.
Arrived at the harbor entrance, where
the ships were sighted from the deck,
he turned his eyes from the glasses
long enough to wink, and said: II told
you 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
temperature considerably over 1901
degrees, awaited with impatience.
TIVE WORD TO FIRE.
But the Commodore decided not to
nj I'D on, fhn hof ~ arioo nn6
the men were disappointed for the time
being. However, there was much quiet
jubilsti0n among the men over tho
prospects of fight, Schley showed ais
evenness ef temperament by ordering
the Massachusetts to take coal from
the collier within view of the forts and
wsrships of Spain. On the Texas, Cap
tain Phillips went through with the
days rsutins, including church service,
at which the men, with refreshing di-
rectnsss of suggestion, sang
PULL FOR THE SHORE.
1t was perfectly evident, from the
position of the Spanish walships, Sunday |
morning, that they had either just en-
tered the harbor, having learned OF the
final departure of the Amer
lean squadron, or had been hiding up
the bay, which Is about nine miles long. |
and had run down to get out early |
Sunday morning. In any case it was
excellent proof of the perfection of
Schlsy's tactics. 1t will be suicidal to
attempt to force the entrance into the
place, at least until the batteries are
reduced, and that will consume let of /
ammunition. Sunday at sunset, found |
the squadron in battle line outside OF
Santiago, the Brooklyn being on the
east of the line, the Massachusetts next
her, Iowa west of Massachusetts, and
next to her the Texas which was on the
extreme left, while the Marblehead and
Vixen secuted in shore. To leave
Santiag the Spanish ships would have
to pass this seemingly impregnable
barrier.
BEFORE THE FIGHT.
Monday, May 30th:-The Ameri-
can feet this morning re-
tanned its position off Santiago and no
attempt was made during the night or