The record-union., 1898-05-19


age was done there. Spaniagds at ST
Thomas claim that a. schoolhouse was
struck, and that the master and his
pupils were killed, but this is not
thought likely, as the bombardment
| took place early in the morning, and
the school children probably were not in
| the school at that time
| The plans of the Notifications fur
nshed to the fleet were very misleading
| 1t was known that the Spanish forts
| had recently been strengthened with
new guns, but other facts developed
which showed miscalculations by those
who secured the plans. Refugees in
ST. Thomas told the correspondents
who touched there after the engage
ment that the Spaniards thought the
forts at San Juan We're stronger than
those of Havana.
| The United States fleet left Key West
on May Sd ito intercept and destroy
| the Spanish fleet which had left the
| Cape Verde Islands This was the only
information the United States Navy
| Department and Admiral Sampson had
on the subject. Our warships proceed
| ed slowly eastward, and on May Sth
were off Cape Haytien, Republic of
Hayti Attempts were made there to
obtain information regarding the
whereabouts of the Spaniards, but no
definite knowledge was obtained
Early on the morning of May 18th
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS ships APP
| preached San Juan, the American Con-
sui at Cape Haytien having Informed
the Admiral that he had heard a re-
port that thirteen Spanish ships had
been seen heading for Porto Rico.
The city of San Juan is situated N a
| long, narrow pocket A tongue of high
land separates it from the ocean. The
entrance of the harbor is easily de-
| Tended, and the same can be said CT
the headlands of lofty Cabras Island,
which lies in a threatening passage.
| These headlands have been fortified by
| the Spaniards, but they did not prove
| in any way dangerous to our Warships.
The town of San Juan is on one side
of the bay. and in the rear of the town
rise high hills To reach the city ships
must pass the MORO Castle fortif!ca-
| lions and the battery of San Carlos, sit
uated on a promontory at the east en-
| trance of the harbor. Besides they
must pass the Canuelo battery, on Cab
ras Island.
The attack on the forts was so plan
ned that our warships could be in po'
sition to meet the Spanish vessels,
should they emerge from the harbor.
The following is the official plan of ac-
ton issued to the American fleet:
1.-THE squadron will pass near Salinas
Point. and then steer about east, to
pass Just outside the reefs off Cabras
Islands. The column is to be formed as
| follows: The Iowa (fiagship). Indiana,
New York. Amphitrite and Terror. inc
| Detroit is to go ahead ~ the Iowa, dis
i tant 900 yards. The Wamputuck TO
keep on the Iowa's starboard bow, dis
tant 800 yards. The Detroit and Wam-
nutuck to sound constantly after lana IS
closer. and to then signal if ten tathoms
or less is obtained showing at night
| red light over the stern, and at day
| time a red flag aft.
eThe Montgomery to remain in the
rear of the column, stopping OUTSIDE Vi
! the fire from MORO, and on the look
/ ont for torpedo boats and destroyers.
If Fort Canuelo fires she is to be 81
fenced The Porter will take station
under cover of the Iowa, on the port
side. The Niagara to remain west
ward, off Salinas Point.
while approaching sharp LOOKOUT
| is to be kept on the coast between
Salinas Point and Cabras Island for
| torpedo boat destroyers. When near
! Cabras Island one-half to one mile, the
Detroit will rapidly cross the mouth
of the harbor. and be close under the
Terror to the westward screened from
the fire from Morro's western battery.
If the old guns on the north side OF
| MORO fire. she is to silence them
These two cruisers are to keep on tie
| lookout. especially for Spanish torpedo
| boat destroyers coming out of the har-
| Dor.
THE Porter. when the action begins,
will cross the harbor mouth behind the
Iowa. and close under the cliff to the
eastward of the Detroit, and torpedo
any Spanish cruisers trying to come
out of the harbor but she is not to at
tack destroyers.
"The Wamputuck will tow one of her
boats with it's mast shipped, flying a
red flag. and having a boats anchor
aboard the tug so arranged that she
can stop the boat and anchor at the
same time. She is to anchor the boat
| in about ten fathoms, with Fort Can
uelo and the western end of Cabras
Island in range.
There will be two objects for at
tack. the batteries on the MORO Castle
and the men of-war. If it is clear that
| Spanish vessels are lying in port, fire
| is to be opened upon them as soon as
they are discernible over Cabras ISL
and The motions of the flagship will
| be followed in this regard. II it should
become evident, however, that neutral
men-of-war are in the line of fire, a flag
of truce will probably be sent in before
the vessels are opened. The Porter is
| to hold herself in readiness for this
service.
care must be taken to avoid strik-
ing the hospitals on Cabras Island. If
| it becomes necessary to silence the
MORO batteries a portion of the fire
will be directed with this object, but
! the principal object is to destroy the
ships.
after passing the mouth of the har-
Dor the Iowa will turn little to star
board toward the town, and will turn
out with a starboard helm and again
pass to port, and after passing Cabras
Island to the westward she will turn
again with a starboard helm and pass
as at first. Should this plan be changed
and it be decided to hold the ships in
front of the entrance, the signal stop
will be made at the proper time
1.-THE Indiana, New York and the
monitors will follow the motions of the
| flagship.
THE course after the Fort Canuelo is
brought into range with the west end
of Cabras Island will be east by south
should nightfall come with the post
in the enemy's hands and the ships