The herald., 1898-04-25
THE PACIFIC BLOCKADE
TRIES THE TEMPERS OF NAVY
OFFICERS
A GREAT NAVAL ENGAGEMENT
Would Seem More Professional and
Satisfy the Thirst for Blood
Now Fully Aroused
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
ON THE FLAGSHIP NEW YORK. off
Havana, April %, 10 p. m.-The second day
of the war has come to close and the
fighting squadron has no casualties to re-
port. After the excitement this morning
over the Italian man Of war and the cap
ture of a schooner by the torpedo boat
Porter, nothing occurred to mar the peace
full routine. Opinions as to the length of
time the blockade will continue place it
variously at from one to six weeks. Ad-
miral Sampson has SO far evinced no dis
position to take the offensive against the
Spanish batteries. 1t is certain that the
insurgents are by no means inactive at
this critical period. Naval engagements
between the formidable fleets would be
much to the liking of the officers of the
fleet. AS body they are anxious to put
to the test thousands of theories to which
they have been devoting their time since
entering the naval academy, apart from
the fact that their fighting blood is up. A
pacific blockade is poor work from pro-
fessional point of view, despite the excite
ment of occasional chases.
Many of the naval officers maintain that
land base of operations in Cuba should
be secured before the Spanish feet ar
rfves. The general idea is that the Span
iards will endeavor to recuperate at st.
Thomas from the effects Of the voyage be-
fore coming to Havana.
After the Dauntless had towed the prize
schooner away In triumph this afternoon
on her way to Key West the blockade line
was extended. The ships were mostly sep
arated by several miles of water, making
formidable semicircle around Moro, fif-
teen miles from point to point. The entire
blockade line stretches for about 120 miles,
from Mariesl, sixty miles west Of Havana,
to Cardenas, sixty miles east of the be-
leaguered city. These distances are ap-
proximate.
The Iowa was the only one Of the ships
around Ell Moro that remained fairly sta
tionary today. She stood away out to the
northwest. The Indiana, Detroit and May
flower cruised around in that vicinity,
while the Wilmington and Marblehead
kept to the northeast. The tug Algonquin,
which arrived today from Key West, and
the torpedo boat Dupont kept close to the
Iowa. The New York cruised around close
inshore. For two hours this afternoon she
was within easy range Of the Cojima bat
terry No. 2, to the eastward Of El MORO,
with its 12-inch guns, but the Spaniards
apparently thought it hopeless to shoot at
distance of five miles. 1t was hard to
realize, while the fiagship's band played
operate airs during dinner, that a straight
shot from a Spanish fort might come
bounding out and make music of another
Kind. Few haltavQ ho
can carry with any accuracy the distance
they are credited on paper.
The Mangrove arrived from Key West
this evening. 1t was reported that the
Mayfiower had stopped tramp steamer
about ten miles northwest of Ell Morro.
and that the steamer was allowed to pro-
ceed. so 1t is presumed she belongs to a
neutral nation. Several shots were, 1t was
said. fired at her.
When darkness came tonight, after a
glorious sunset. the semi-circle of blockad-
ing ships closed In considerably to prevent
anything slipping in or out of Havana har-
Dor. Not light was shown. The torpe-
do boats Porter and Dupont kept up a
ceaseless patrol. They were quite invisible
The irrepressible spirit Of daring of Lieuts.
Fremont and Wood, their respective COM
manders, probably took the black flyers
to within remarkably short distance of
Ell Moro.
When the Ericsson picked up her small
prize last evening she was only two miles
from the Spanish batteries.
The day has been busy one for the Off
GERS and men, and the slight relaxation this
afternoon was very acceptable. Admiral
Sampson and Capt. Chadwick have been
on the after bridge most of the time, both
always as cool as cucumbers. The former.
despite his So years, is as energetic as the
youngest man on board He seems to have
an eye for everything and grasp of de-
tail that is astounding
1t is hardly thought that the steamer
Panama, the much-hoped-for prize, will
arrive before tomorrow Sunday.
Five Fleet Vessels
NEW YORK, April N.-Five- fleet ships
probably will move out Of New York ha--
Dor tomorrow, ready for service in the war;
The auxiliary cruiser Yankee, formerly the
Morgan line steamer Elmonte, is ready 10
sail, manned by the New York naval re-.
serves, and in command of Lieutenant W.
8. Brownson.
She may be used as a scout to patrol the
~>t'oiAeAc SooSt uHu hccp Sndrp LOOKOUT Tor
Spanish warships.
The cruisers San Francisco and New Or
leans also are reported as being ready to
leave tomorrow. and they will go to Hamp-
ton Roads to join the flying squadron.
Under Commander Caspar Goodrich, the
American liner st. Louis will steam out
and the Harvard. formerly the New York,
will go out at the same time in command
of Captain A. s. Barker. The destination
and duties of these two swift vessels are
not known.
The Last Departure
PHILADELPHIA, April 24.-No definite
time for the sailing of the auxiliary cruiser
st. Paul. now at Cramps, has been decided
upon. Work was continued all of today.
and tomorrow provisions will be aboard.
About 1900 tons of coal have been slowed
away, and she will receive the remainder
down the Delaware river, possibly at
League island At the same time ammu-
milton will be taken on.
The following officers of the big liner
have accepted appointments as lieuten-
ants, junior grade: First Officer Young.
Second Officer Pattison, Third Officer
Dickinson, and Fourth Officer Osborne.
From indications. none Of the engineers,