The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-26
YEARS WORK
OF THE NAVY
ships inside the harbor and the forts at
a range of about 1000 yards.

ships inside the harbor and the forts at
a range of about 1000 yards
SAMPSON ARRIVES.
on June Admiral Sampson arrived
off Santiago and found Commodore
Schley's squadron in column to the
westward of the mouth of the harbor.
Immediately upon the concentration of
these two forces at Santiago close
and efficient blockade was established,
Admiral Sampson in command. The
harbor was closely guarded day and
night by our ships in semi-cirCle.
Powerful searchlights were thrown up
on its entrance during the dark.
ulan Of attack, by which our vessels
were to close in at once upon any of
the enemys coming out, was provided
for in standing orders. ON June an
attcmDt was made to close the harbor
by sinking across its entrance the cot
lier Merrimac. This attempt, though
unsuccessful i'm its object. was daring
~ executed. It is now one of the we'll
known historic marvcls of naval ad-
venture and enterprise. in which Naval
Constructor Hobson and his men won
undying fame.
III May lu' NdI u'Itl llilttll ltN lStd
Admiral Sampson of the intention of
the war department to send about thir-
~ transports with troops from Tampa,
Fla. to Santiago, and instructed him
to provide suitable convoy. On June.
I, in reply to a telegram from the
war department asking If the convoy
was ready, the Commandant of the
naval base at Key West stated YES
sells all ready" ON June informa-
tion was received at Tampa, through
the naval base at Key West. from two
different sources indicating the pos
sble presence Of force of Spanish
vessels in Nicholas channel. The war
department was informed of this news,
and orders were issued to Admiral
sampson to reinforce the conveying
squadron by two armored vessels. ON
the next day the expedition was di-
reCted TO proceed without regard to
this information, as it was disCredted
by both Admiral Sampson and the de-
partment, and the following telegram
was sent:
Washington. June Q, 1895
Naval Base Key West Fla
The expedition will proceed with
out reference to the Spanilrds. Depart
ment will inform commander in chief
partment Of this.
Allen. Acting Secretary.
A suitable convoy was detained at
Tampa until the transports were
ready. The army expedition finally
left Tampa on the 14th. this department
having rendezvoused additional YES
sells off Rebecca Shoals, where the
transports arrived at s y. m, June lj,
THE ARMY ARRIVES.
Upon arrival of the convoy off San
tiago Admiral Sampson sent his chief
Of staff to communicate with General
Shafter. The chief of staff took with
him a chart of Santiago harbor and
explained to General Shafter that. in
order to enable the vessels of the navy
to enter, it was necessary that the
positions occupied by the eastern and
western batteries of the enemy should
be carried. The possession of these
points insured the destruction of the
mines, the entrance of the naval ves-
sells, and an attack upon Admiral Ger
vera's squadron. To this plan General
Shafter gave cordial consent The
landing place on which he finally de-
Cided was DaiQuiri.
General Shafter reported to Admiral
Sampson on June - his intention to
commence the landing of troops, and
ADMIRAL Sampson at once put an Off
Ger in charge of the Decentralization,
which was begun during the forenoon
of the 22d by means of the steam
launches and cutters from the ships
of the squadron. The naval vessels
shelled the coast about Daiquiri and
demonstration was made at Cabanas
to engage the attention of the enemy.
All the troops were successfully land
cd by the boats of the navy. and joint
operations of the army and navy be-
gan, which finally resulted in the sur
render Of Santiago.
On July l, in accordance with Il re-
quest from General Shafter of June 20.
the forts at ASuadores We're lombard
ed and q demonstration made at the
entrance of the harbOr of Santiago,
and on July the batteries a. the en-
trance Cf the harbor We're heavily
bombarded. especially the Punta Cor
da battery by the Oregon and Ind-
ana. a report of this bombardment
was sent to General Shafter, and Ad-
mirel Sampson stated that it was inn
possible to force an entrance to tho
nafhol unlI tnc tnannel COuld ne
cleared of mines, which could only be
done after the forts at the entrance Of
the harbor were taken by our troops.
SHAFTER INPATIENT
General Shafter replied that it was
not possible to say when he could
take the batteries at the narhors
mouth, and urged that an effort be i'm
mediatcly made by the navy to force
an entrance. Admiral Sampson wrote
TO General Shafter that the forts which
had been bombarded by the squadron
could not Inconvenience the army in
capturing the city, as they could not
fire except to seward that as the
channel to the harbor was streWn with
observation mines an effort to force
an entrance would result In The sink
ing Of one or more naval vessels and
in closing the entrance to the harboI;
but that If it was desired that the navy
should attempt to force the entrance
h would at once prepare to undertake
1t, although he had hoped that an at
tack by the army on the shore batter
les, from the rear would leave the navy
NJ liberty to drag the channel for tor
pedoos.
On the morning Of July 3, an inter-
view having been prearranged between
General Shafter and Admiral Sampson,
the latter, H. the flagship New York.
left the fleet for Siboney. When the
flagship was about 4 miles east of her
blOckading station aud obout ,,iI,c