The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-06-15
THIRTY-FIVE SHIPS
Convey the Troops from Tampa
Direct TO Cuba.

DiNtCt W UNA
Tampa Fla, June li-After weeks /,
waiting and preparation the first army o
Invasion to start from the eastern shore,
of the United states dep ,'c4 under tn,
command Of Gen. shafer this morning at
9 O'Clock The fleet Of transports consist
ed OF s5 vessels, four lenders and fourteen
conveys These are all now upon the Gull
os MsNico headed Tor southward until
they pass Key West at least n the des.
tnation be cuba, they will continue thcii
course until Cape Antonio. at the west OF
the island, is doubled when an easterl,
course viii be sailed until they reach tho
vicinity Of Santiago.
As already stated in these dispatches
| the actual embarkment OF the troops be-
gan on Monday, June o. The work pro-
ceeded diligently until late on "Wednesday
afternoon when, after the departure Of
ealing a halt In the proceedings. The Cas-
tine was dispatched to at >oncc ovelh haul
the disappearing vessels anu recall them.
They all came bac' but one, the city of
Washington. whloA was reported to De
aground down the bay. 1t has been SUBJ
sequently learned, however, that this ves-
/ 'el had outwitted the messenger until the
coast OF Cuba was rally sighted. Neither
the Washington or The Castlne returned
to Port Tampa until Saturday.
The alleged cause Of the delay was the
report that the Hornet. while out scout
Ing, had sighted several Spanish warships
Like a wet blanket came the order TO halt
Cheerfulnes was displaced by keen dlsap-
pointment Two questions were on every
tongue. "IIas Spain surrendercd?'" HAS
our fleet met with dlsaster?" The former
met with the readiest belief. many beilev-
ing tho words in the order indefinitely
postponed meant peace
The unloading Of the Florida which had
been run into the Mama and seriously
damaged, gave grounds FOR the rumor
that all the transports were being unload
ed Newspapers were con6dcnuany told
on Friday night that tney had better GO
on board.
Along the pier COULD be heard the
voices OF the commanders as they gave
their orders % cut loose The gang planks
were pulled in. the hatchways closed.
lines cast OF and the engines were put
into action.
From the lower row of port holes hats
were waved.Anchor was quickly weighed
and the great vessels pointed their prows
down the bay In a few moments the
city OF Washington. Rio Grande Chero-
ke Iroquis and Whitney followed. As
these boats picked their way through the
anchored fleets men shouted and bands
played. Every vessel ELECTED a wild dis
play of enthusiasm These were the only
vsscls to depart in the afternoon, some
of them going over to St. Petersburg %
procure wa -er.
Gen. Miles. evidently becoming impatl-
ent, embarked on the Tarpoon at 1890 ana
went out among She fleet, going as far
down the bay as St. Petersburg and not
returning until o'clock. In the meantime
the transports were steammg down the
bay
In the afternoon the Morgan cut path
Of white foam down the channel and her
lead was followed by the Vigilance. San
Berkshire, Ollyette, Santiago. Arkansas,
Seneca Saratoga, Miami, LoOna, Break
water ana Comal by the time these yes
sells had moved away darkness had cnvcl-
oped the remaining ships from whose
sides glimmered long rows Of lights The
Knickerbocker. numbered Is and the Orl-
zaba had much to take on during tho
night. Gen. SAafter and his staff were
the last TO leave The last orders were
handed TO Lieut.. Miley, an aide to Gen.
shafter, this morning and Immediately
the flagship started.
The conveys are as follows Indiana.
Detroit, Corpion, Vesulvlus, Helena. cas-
tine, Annapolis Panther, Hornet, Mann
ing Bancroft. Wampuck, Eaglewash.
After passing the bar at the entrance
Of this harbor the feet will form I'm two
divisions Of three columns each. The coll
umns vii be 800 yards apart, abreast con-
talning five vessels each 400 yards apart
Between the two divisions will be a space
OF 1000 yards.