The record-union., 1898-12-19

machinery was in bad condition. The
coal supply of the other two scouts was
also much reduced. Arrangements
We're at once made whereby the Yale
was to tow the collier, and, as the pros
pect did not seem favorable for re-
plenishing the meager coal supply of
the other vessels, the squadron stood
to the westward, towing the collier.
The operation of taking the collier in
tow proved to be quite difficult, owing
to the size and weight of the two ships
and the repeated parting of the tow
lines. Finally, however, after twenty
four hours unremitting exertions, the
Golfers chain cable was gotten to the
Yale and the squadron proceeded. The
ST. Paul was ordered to remain off San
tiago until her coal supply would no
longer permit of further delay.
- After standing to the westward
for about three hours, or about twenty
five miles, the conditions became less
unfavorable and the squadron stopped
The Texas and Marblehead were sent
alongside the collier, whose injury had
been temporarily repaired, and coaled
during the night.
IL. Inasmuch as it was known that,
in case the Spanish squadron had
reached Santiago Admiral Sampson
was able to block any movement of the
enemy through the Bahama Channel,
my intention in standing to the west
ward was, should it become necessary,
to bar any effort of the enemy to reach
Havana by a dash through the Yucca
tan passage
IA. On the 24th continued coaling the
Texas and Marblehead, and later the
Vixen. In the afternoon, having man
aged to get sufficient coal into these
vessels to enable them to remain with
the squadron, shaped course for Santi-
ago, off which port We arrived about
dusk. Established an inner picket line
consisting Of the Vixen and Marble
head, the remainder of the squadron
lying off the entrance of the port about
four or five miles out.
10. The next morning, the Doth inst.
steamed to examine the entrance to the
harbor and sighted the Cristobal Colon
apparently mOored head and stern
across the western channel around
Cayo Smith; also one of the vessels of
the VlZcaya or Infanta Maria Teresa
class, moored in the eastern channel.
and two small torpedo boats. Later in
the day made out the military tops of
a third vessels farther up the harbor.
a third vessel farther up the harbor.
has been maintained, and no vessels
have entered or left since our arrival,
Yesterday morning H. NJ s. Indefat-
1gable came up to the line of blockade
and made signal request permission to
communicate with the Commodore"
which was, of course, granted. A
boarding officer came on board the flag
ship with a letter from the command
ing officer, Captain L. A. Prim-
rose, requesting permission for his YES
sci to pass the line Of blockade in order
to communicate with H. M. Consul at
this port. My reply was that there
would not be the slightest objection to
his doing so. Instead. however of
aValllng himself of the permission, the
Indefatlgable steamed off from the di-
rect1on she same, signaling mo harm
done; courtesy 1t may have been
that his learning that the Spanish fleet
was IN port was of more Importance
than II. M. Consul, and he may have
desired first to communicate with his
Government from Jamaica.
IL. On the Both inst. the New Or
leans arrived conveying the collier
Sterling
Is. Concerning the coaling of a large
meet or vessels, [ would particularly
call the departments attention to the
necessity for heavy bags holding bout
SUI pounds in addition to buckets.
Whch nave not proved of much use.
They should also be provided with at
ieast six cotton bales or heavy wooden
camels six to eight feet broad to be
used as tenders to take the thrust of
the ships and permit coaling in rouener
weather than is now possible with the
means at our disposal At present we
are coaling on all favorable occasions
In plain sight of the enemy's fleet. Very
respectfully, w. s. SCHT,Ey
commodore, u. S. N, Commanderin-
Chief Flying Squadron.