The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-04-23
From WeStminSter'S Sailor Boy in Cuban
Waters

The following letter was received recently
by a. H. Huber, of this city, from his son
Harry, who Is on board the Flag Shin New
York with the squadron near Key West, Fla.
Us s. NEW YORK,
KEY WEST, FLA, April II, 1898.
ny ~ Deat am IN receipt OF your letter a.
here waiting for the commencement of the fight
Just at this time we are having good deal of rainy
weather. l never saw it rain as hard and long
as it does down in this climate. This morning
however, it has cleared up.
Two Tugs came in from New York yesterday fo1
the purpose of acting as pickets for the fleet
Nearly every day we hear additions to this already
very formidable squadron.
To show you the watchfuness of our Admiral
not long ago. one night while on the lookout for
Spanish treachery the cruiser Cincinnati sent up
It's signals announcing the attempted passing
through our fleet of suspicious vessel. Our Cap
tain hailed her. but she came, we could just see
dim light she rapidly passed up through the
squadron. Finalya four inch shell gave her notice
OF business and then you should have seen her
stop! She quit coming. 1t was the mail boat try
Ing to be smart. Her officer promised never to try
it again.
Last Sunday the Fern brought out General Lee,
our Consul at HAVANA. With him came large
number OF other American citizens.
All yesterday afternoon we were coallng ship.
This we do every week, SO that if we are ordered
suddenly away we will have supply on hand
Just now we are engaged in making bags to hold
sand, to be used as barbados on deck for the ma
rineS.
The battleship Iowa is prepared for action. Her
sand bags are in position, her bower chains are
placed up and down her ammunition holsts, SO
as to give her additional protection against rapid
hre guns The gunbOat Newport is here and has
also cleared for action Her yards are all down and
all of her mass, except the lower ones She re-
minds one of the pictures of the old sailing vessels
when they got ready for fight.
noticed in the advocate that in our drill of
the torpedo boat attack on the squadron that the
torpedo boats came near enough to the Iowa to blow
her up. This is a mistake to ship only. The
vessel would have been the Indiana, and this hap
pened twice. We have this drill three nights in
succession. III answer to your questions learn
that in case of an attack on Havana by the fleet
the battleshps and monitors will be in the first
line, the cruisers next, except the New York, which
is, as you know, the Admiral's ship. Our ship will
be in the rear line from which orders will be given
directing the fight and to take care of disabled YES
sells.
know your aversion to Il war; but the way that
1t is now don't see how it can be settled without
one We ought to avenge the Maine" Yesterday
four masted barkentine came out of Key West
and passed right aStern of our ship. Just as she
was passing one of her men was seen to jump over
board. The steam launch OF the Iowa picked him
GERS asked him what he meant by jumping over
board. He said that his treatment and the heat i'll
the hold compelled him TO do what he did. He
preferred death.
Since my last letter have been taken from my
gun and am acting as messenger for the Cap
tain of our ship. While serving at our gun, four
inch piece, was number eight Ny duties when
in action required me, with the assistance of mum
Der seven,' to take disabled to the sick bay.
| am very well. Your son,
HARRY ROVER HUBER.