The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-04
CAPT. SlGSBEE TALKS,
He Tells of Affairs at Santiago-Saw
Ceryera's Fleet.

GerNeraS 4 itfAs
NEW YORK. June 3.-The United States
auxiliary cruiser ST. Paul, capt Sigsoee
commanding. came into port early to-day,
having passed the night at anchor of
Sandy Hook After the 81. Paul had cast
anchor of Tompkinsville, 5. J., Captain
Sigsbee IN civilian attire. went ashore
and thence proceeded % the navy yard.
The ST. Paul Is standing high out OF the
water, showing that her supply Of coal
has run short Her sides show the paint
scraped off I'm several places, indicating
that she has seen rough weather. Dut
there is nothing about the navy scout TO
show that she Is IN need of repairs. VS.
itors are not allowed on board the ST.
Paul, nor are boats permitted to 80 along
side
After visiting Commodore Bunce at the
navy yard capt. Sissbee relaxed from
his reserve sufficiently 10 say 10 a re-
porter:
81 had target practice right along from
the first day ! arrived at Santiago, on
May 22d. ana, while none OF my men have
been in the service long, 1 am we'll salts
fed with their work at the guns. We
have not been I'm any fight so far, but ny
men will give a good account of them
selves.
1T was on the 18th when we captured
the RestormeI I knew that the Span
iards needed the coal very badly ana !
made every effort 90 see that they dld
not get IT,
while of Santiago with schley 7 saw
two more Spanish cruisers and Schley
saw two torpedo boats. There Is no
question that they are bottled UP as tight
as can be On Santiago harbor.
In, ..fI.r 1
Is OF their Qualifications. which 1 am
sending 10 Washington.
Their guns could easily have reached
me. but the batteries made no attempt
TO fire. for what reason 1 do not know
1t NAV be the Spaniards did not want
10 reveal the strength and location OF
their guns / am going TO Washington
with dispatches from the fleet, and as
soon as We have coaled and provisloned
we shall put to sea again. This will
probably not be for three or four days.
"As soon as l arrived outside the har-
Dor Of Santiago there were indications OF
the presence Of Cervera's jieet on the in
side beyond the hills.
Il Rugged he nth .: the harbor so
closely that II would nave been il. tssl-
bic FOR anything anoat 10 sneak O1t with
out our seeing them.
1t was either the third or fourth day
after our arrival that / saw two Spanish
vessels which / was sure was the VIZ
caya and the Crlstobal Colon. They
crept cautiously into the stream ana got
into the middle Of the channel As soon
as :ney caught sight Of me they scam
pered back as rapidly as they could
steam.
As soon as We arrived off the harbor
I announced my presence by the cour-
tesv of a salute taking as a target one
Of the Spanish forts. The fort evidently
did not intend TO accord me the courtesy
due in return for its guns remained ST.
lent. When l wss satisfied WIN the pEac-
tice my men had had, steamed the St
Paul out of range and resumed scout
duty outside the mouth Of the harooi'
1T was directly under the guns OF a
fort and within easy range that l TOOK
the Restormel. with 24oo tons OF coal
aboard. ,s<
fThis coal was evidently intended for
the Snanlsh fleet and the attempt OF the
Restormel. to run our blockade and en-
tar Santiago harbor would OF Itself have
been good evidence that the Spanish were
there. We had to fire several shots at
her before she hove TO. l put prize
crew aboard and sent the collier 10 Key
West.
"During the period was at Santiago
between May 20 anu -5Ni'' o."'N' 49,.
ana went several times. cruising little
10 the westward. But the ST. Paul re-
NAMED off Santiago harbor for all Of the
eight days.
1T Was on May 10Th that I saw heavy
lines OF smoke from what l at first
thought was the Spanish squadron com
ing TO the relief OF Cervera. There was
great excitement on board the 81. Paul.
ana I Immediately put ont after the fleet.
| soon found the smoke was coming from
Scbley's ships returning 80 the entrance
OF the harbor.
"On this day both Sohley and myself
saw again positive evidences that the
Spanish fleet was still bottled up inside
the Santiago harbor
when I came up with schley's feet we
both signalled together-Schley to me and
I TO him"