Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-22
MORE HEROES
Are Discovered as the Naval
Reports are Published.
Daring Work Of Ensign Ward as a
Spy Among the Spaniards.
Orders and lnstruc tions Given Before War
with Spain Was Declared.

Washington, Dec. 21.-The official re-
ports of the commanding officers of
the navy during the war have been
compiled and published by the navy
department. While treating of events
that have already figured In published
official reports the documents still csn-
tain many minor reports that throw
side lights on interesting phases Of the
war.
:: In the brief record of the proceed
ings of the naval board an unknown
hero is brought to light in the person
of Ensign II. II. Ward, who at the be-
ginning of the war was on duty in the
navigating bureau, alternating with
Lieut.. Whittlesey in the heavy duties
of assistant to the chief of the bureau.
He volunteered for secret service and
his exploits. about which nothing mas
been said in the past, may well be
placed on record besides those of Lieut.
Rowan in Cuba and Lieut.: Whitney IN
Porto Rico.
Within a week after the declaration
of war Ensign Ward disguised himself
and went straigh into the heart of the
enemy's country, making his head
quarters at Cadiz, the principal Span
ish naval station and informing the
navy department here of the actual
strength of the Spanish naval vessels
and their movements. Then he went
to the West Indies and reported every
thing that was going on there of im-
portance to the American navy.
Next he went in disguise to Porto
+ Rico where he was arrested as a sus-
pect and spy. BY adroitness he man
aged to secure his release, and, es-
Gaping from San Juan, cabled the navy
department a full account OF the state
of the defences there and the prepa-
ration making for the reception of the
Spanish squadron under Cervera.
At this time even the officials Of the
navy department We're under the I'M
preston that Mr.. Ward was engaged
in installing a system of coast signals
on the New England coast.
While Ward was in Porto Rico, En-
sign Buck, another attache of the nav
igating bureau. was on the shores OF
the Mediterranean in disguise, watch
ing every movement Of the squadron
under camara which started for the
Philippines but turned back.
Of the strategy board ITSELF ~ is
informed Of all of. the movements re-
sources and plans of the SpaniS ma,
val forces through secret agents and
it is now known that the navy was
thus informed of all important move
ments. At times, however, Mforma-
ton was conflicting and decisions had
to be made, as to which report was
true. 50 &
Under the head of precautionary OF
ders appears in the Volume instruV
tions to all the United States ship >
abroad to stock theirsbunkers with III :
best coal obtainable and TO keep EItn1
before the declaration Of war on Feb.
20: In event Of war with Spain, your
duty will be to see@that the $panish
squadron does not leave, the x2iat:c
coast and then Offensive Vpera4 IONS. ilr
the Philippines. Keep olympia unity
further orders The latter order Is
explained by the fact that the f1kgship
had been ordered back to the tInited
States for: an overhauhng.- Ad-ainal
Howell, then in the, Mediterranean NTH
his squadron, was told to wait in neu-
trail waters for orders and the ships in.
the south Atlantio were instructed TO
move tlorthWard SO as not to excite sus-.5
.pisionSs
The repofts Of TIE famous naval BAT
tie at. Cavite include ole from Consul
General. VIII dManx 4 rather unusual
sthlng in repott ssaaf q strictly naval
.ehSracter, but fully justified by its
Picturesque and Nrenchapt description
o6Dewey's vietaEY
following It issat fAport II his govern
mA3on the sant Angagefnen by Ad-
mi 351d ph4t3o fiie comman Ter lin -chief
of tie if-fataar SpaAish feeEs The adj
mir3l depicts the bad condition of the
Spanish fleet ard defenees! He says
that HE cruiser Castillo was incapable
Of manoeuvering on account of her bad
condition. while the defeHcess at the en-
trance to sSubig Bay were very back
ward With much disgust he found
that the guns which should have been
mounted had been delayed a month and
a half and he was no less Disguised to
find that reliance was had for the de-
fence Of the port upon few, torpedoes
not properly placed.
Finding Subig Bay defenceless. the
Spanish squadron repaired to the Bay
of Manila to battle under less unfavOr-
able conditions. The admiral avoided
the city. not wishing to draw fire upon
#, and prepared his fleet for action.
painting hin vessels a dark gray and
having the fires spread and springs on
the cables.
He says that the forces of Dewey's
vessels, leaving out transports,
amounted to 21,416 tons,s As, $50 horse
power; 1e3sguns, many rapid Ore; 1850