The herald., 1898-05-22
SAHP SONS FLEET
STILL CHASING THE SPANISH
PHANTOM
UNklND WORDS SPOKEN
ABOUT "cRABs" THAT COULDN'T
KEEP UP
MONITORS HAD TO BE ToWED
But They'll Pay the Freight II They
Ever Find That Long Lost
Spanish Eotilla
Associated Press Special Wire


ted Press Dispatch Boat Dauntless. May
u.-(Copyright, 1898, by the Associated
Press.) The Dauntless was a member OF
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet during the latter s
cruise to intercept the phantom Spanish
squadron. The dispatch boats voyage lasted
fifteen days and extended from Key West
TO st. Thomas and return, with two side
trips to Cape Haytien. Hayti. the total dis
lance travelled being about 1900 miles, as
against 1900 miles by the fleet. The Daunt-
less occupied a grand-stand position at the
battle of San Juan and bore the first de-
tails OF the engagement 10 the st. Thomas
cable station. The Dauntless Immediately
on joining the fleet in the outer harbor at
Key West was ordered by the admiral to
take station within hailing distance OF the
New York and remain there. When she
was obliged to separate temporarily from
the feet she was provided with light sig
rails and a sailing course, so that she read
lily overlook the fleet, and was never "held
up" as suspicious. When the cruise began
It was believed that the Spanish squadron
of cruisers, torpedo boat destroyers and tor
pedo boats, which had already sailed from
Cape Verde Islands, was bound for the
West Indies. 1t was Admiral Simpsons
plan to put his fleet between the Spanish
vessels and the port of San Juan de Porto
Rico. Failing In this. to attack the fleet
before 1t could leave San Juan. or if too
late to engage the Span;ards anywhere on
sight
Leaving Key West on May Sd, the feet
sailed In the direction of Havana, then
turned eastward along the coast of Cuba.
At night the beacons on the Cuban coas.
we're lighted as usual, but they gave gull.
ance to few vessels besides the enemies of
Spain. for the war has driven ships from
tho seas. At night the fleet carried no
lights, but there was much signal practice
WITH colored lamps. Early in the cruise
Tie Terror and the Indiana became trou-
ninsome because Of mishaps to their boil
FRS The monitors were from the outset
1ras on the progress of the fleet, and dur
Ing most of the way TO San Juan the New
York lowed the Terror and the Iowa
pulled the Amphitrite. the Porter often
titcMng on behind the Terror.
The officers of the feet had many unkind
things TO say about the CRABS" as they
called the monitors
On May 7th the Montgomery went into
Cape Haytien to send dispatches to Wash
knssor.. and nezi morning the Dauntless
cntsreS the sane port for like purpose.
tre psnrtl-:e returned to the fleet on
Nay 9tt with dispatches. but she was sent
or again for further news. and, in order
stst President Sam might not be excited,
Sic oa1ntless' captain stated that the
ssAamer mad returned for a bill Of health.
Or -Iais visit the Dauntless obtained from
Ale American consul a circumstantial re-
port that feet Of thirteen Spanish war.
srips had been seen heading for Porto
Rico.
In this report the naval officers placed
some credence. and the bombardment of
Bar Juan was planned in the hope that the
Spanish were in the harbor The fleet
slowly moved onward on May 10 and II.
and in the afternoon of the latter day, the
Dauntless was ordered to be ready to carry
dispatches to st. Thomas and at II o'clock
In the morning. At daylight on May II
the heet bombarded San Juan, the sea-
port; the Dauntless lay six miles of Fort
Moro and viewed the bombardment and
reply Of the forts. description of which
event has already been cabled from St,
Thomas and Key West
After the battle the Dauntless waited for
IN hour for Admiral SIMPSONS dispatches
10 the navy department, and Immediately
on receipt of them steamed for ST.
Thomas. Ten miles from that port the
United States auxiliary cruiser Yale sig
nailed the Dauntles, which ran little out
OF her course to get within hailing distance.
There was much cheering for Sampson
when the Dauntless gave the news of the
attack on San Juan.
The Dauntless hoped to reach Charlottes
the port OF the Danish island of St.
1nomas, before dark, but darkness dropped
Gown all OF a sudden, and the steamer
pusning on to the town lights gave mortal
onense to the Danish harbor master by
failing to stop at his hail.
He expostulated at once. There was
no delay in filing to the Associated Press
In New York description of the battlf,
furnished hours before