The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1898-12-01
Sampson and $ ch1ey.

The report shows that the 'fying squad
ron" under Schley. was ordered to Cien-
fuegos upon notice that Cervera's SQUAD
-on had been seen off Curacao. But on
May 20 the department, having heard that
Ceryera was AZ Santiago. advised Samp-
son to order Schley to proceed off that
port. On the 26th Sampson received from
Schley letter dated the 23d stating that
he was not satisfied that the Spanish
squadron was not at CieDfuegOs and that
lie would therefore remain off that point
with his squadron. The next day Schley
was informed that Cervera had been in
Santiago from the 10Th to the 25th. and
nc was directed TO proceed with all dis
patch to that port. At this time he telc
graphed Sampson. under date of the 9th,
that coaing off Cienfuegos was very un-
certain: that the Spanish fleet was not in
Cienfuegos: that he would go eastward on
the 25th. but that on account of short coal
supply he could not blockade if Cervera
was in Santiago. but would so to Nicho-
las Mole to communicate. Upon receiving
this information Sampson decided to go to
Key West for coal at once, and. if author
lied, to proceed to Santiago III person.
Schley left Cienfuegos on the 2ith ana
stopped on the following day twenty miles
southeast of Santiago to repair the col
lier Merrimac. At 80 p. III. he sisnaled
to the squadron: Destination Ney west
via south side of Cuba and Iucatan chan
mel as soon as collier is ready; speed nine
knots" After steaming to the westward
until 11:20 p. M. the squadron agaiA
stopped to make repairs to the ale. / he
report then continues:
On the morning of the 9th the Harvard
from Mole St Nicholas, delivered 10 Com-
modore Schley the following dispatch:
Washington. ID. C.. May % iSso,m He..,n ~
once aud Inform Schley and also the senior
oficer present off Santiago as follows: All
DEPARTMENTS information indicales Sp'1hIsn
division Is still at Santiago. Inc depart,
ment looks TO you to ascertain iacts anu
that the enemy If therein does not leave
without a decisive action. Cubans familiar
with Santiago say that there are landing
places fye or six nautical miles west from
gents probably will be found and not the
Spanish. From the surrounding heights you
can see every vessel in port. AS soon as
ascer;ained notify the department whether
the enemy is there. Could not squadron anu
also Harvard coal from the Merr!mac Zee
ward off Cape Cruz. Gonaives channel or
Mole, Haiti? The department will send coal
Immediately to Mole. Report without delay
situation nj Santiago LcN".
At IL A. M, two hours after receiving this
dispatch from the department. Commodore
Schley sigpaled to the squadron: Can you
fetch into the port of Key West with coal
remaining? Report by sigma"
At noon the Harvard left, carrying his
reply to the departments dispatch, as fol-
lows:
Kingston. May IS. 1s9S-Secretary Navy,
Washington. ID. c. Merrlmac en-
gines disabl is heavy; am obliged TO have
towed to Key West. Have been unable alb
solutely to coal the Texas, Marblehead, Vix-
en- Brooklyn from collier, owing to very
rough sea- Bad weather since leaving Key
West The Brooklyn alone has more than
sufficient coal to proceed to Key West; can
not renain of Santiago in present state
suuadron coal account. Impossible to coal
Ieeward of Cape Cruz In the summer. all
owing to southwesterly winds. Much
TO be regretted, cannot obey orders of de-
partment Have striven earnestly; forced
to proceed for coal TO Key West by way OF
Yucatan passage. Cannot ascertain any
thing respecting enemy positive
Very difficult to tow collier, to get cable to
hold. SCHLEY."
Later in the day, the squadron meantime
having again moved westward, the signal
stop" was made TO the flying squadron.
after which the Texas and Marblehead went
alongside the Merrmac aud coaled. The
squadron was at that time distant about
forty miles to the southwark and westward
of Santiago.