New-York tribune., 1898-10-24

vow the collier Sterling You will communicate
with Commodore Schley and direct MN 10 re-
main on the blockade OF Santiago nj all hazards,
assuming that the Spanish vessels are IN that
port Tell him l desire that he should use
the collier Sterling to obstruct the chahhel III ts
nerrowest part leading into this herpor' IN
form him l believe that II would be perfect
y practicable to steam this vessel into position
and drop all her anchors. allow her 10 sWihs
across the channel end then sink her either py
opening the valves or whatever means may pe
best IN his judgment.
Inform Commodore Schley that the details OF
this plan are left to his judgment In the mean
time he must exercise the utmost care that none
OF the vessels already in the port are allowed 10
escape and say - the Commodore that nave
the utmost confidence in his ability TO carry
this plan to successful conclusion and ear
nestly wish him good luck
TIE DEPARTMENT WORRIED.
Admiral Sampson reached Key West at 2 a. m
on Nav % and found from dispatches awaiting
him there that the Department was much exer-
cised about Schley's whereabouts. Here he also
first learned that ten thousand troops were TO he
sent to Santiago If ii were found that Cervera
were surely there. and that he was expected to
convoy this force. At midnight Of the same date
he received this message from the Navy De-
partment:
Schey telegraphs from Santiago de Cuba he
goes to Key West with his squadron 1or coal
though he has four thousand tons OF coal with
him in a broken-down collier How soon al
ter arrival of Schley at Key West could you
reach Santiago de Cuba with the New-York and
the Oregon. the Indiana and some lighter ana
how long could you blockade there senoing you.
vessels singly to coal from our coileTs al
Gonaives. Hayti Channel. Mole Hayt, Nlpe'
Port Cuba or elsewhere? There is one collier
en- route to Mole Iiayti from Norfolk. ana an
other one has been ordered there from hey
West and others will be sent Immediately:
Consider II YOU could seize Guantanamo ana
occupy as coaling station. Schley has not as
certained whether Spanish division IS 81 San-
TOTO ton hera
II is there.
The Admiral Immediately replied that he
could blockade Indefinitely. that he thought
he could occupy Guantanamo. and asked per
| mission to start at once with the New-fork ana
| the Oregon. leaving Watson in charge or DOCK
| ade A few hours later he reiterated his re-
| quest declaring that the failure OF Schley 10
continue blockade must be remeded at once II
| possible There can be no doubt of presence Oh
Spanish squadron at Santiago
At the same time he received this telegram
from Schley:
Collier has now been repaired temporarily
and able to make six seven knots per hour;
Shall | endeavor to coal the Marblehead ana
Texas in the open and retain position on
Santiago until coal supply larger vessels mas
given out? Know what safe limit. ShaH 20
then to GOnaves. Hayti. or coast near or nea'
Port -au-Prince. Hayti. 70 coal. YESTERDAY the
Marblehead and Texas. took a quantity of coal
at a distance Of abou. twenty-five miles west
of Santiago which enables me to hold place
until coal has been reduced and forces me over
to Eayti to repenish Collie" well equipped 10
report at Gonaives, Hayti. urgently needed to
coal vessel when chance occurs. Need another
auxiliary for picket duty and communication
| send Minneapolis and Yale 10 Key West St
Paul off Santiago still. Pepairs of the Merrl-
mae machinery completed by the Brooklyn
St Paul, May 2G, captured british collier bound
In with coal. evidently for fleet, collier having
touched San Juan and CURACAO
c,MpcnN CnNcP ATJrI ATES cCJIvFY
To this Admiral Sampson sent the following
dispatch to Port Antonio. Jamaica, and Mole St
Nicholas for Commodore Schley:
Congratulate you on success Maintain close
blockade at all hazards al night, very little 70
fear from torpedo boat destroyers. Coal In
open whenever conditions permit Send
ship 10 examine Guantanamo with view TO oc-
cupying it base, coaling one heavy ship at
a time. Appraise captured coal. it If de-
sired. and afterward send ship in prize.
The same afternoon the Admiral received per-
mission from the Department to &c to Santiago
with two ships. with a recommendation that
Guantanamo be seized Immediately, as Good
rich reported it weak.
The next morning. May 80 Sampson started
for Santiago with the Oregon, the Mayfower
and the Porter at a speed of thirteen knots. At
| y. m. he met the St. Paul and Captain Sigs
bee gave him copies Of several dispatches, the
|
(From Schley to Sampson. off Santiago de
| Cuba. 10 a. m, May % Sent to Sampson at
| p. IN. same day. Same TO Secretary Of the
| Navy:
Enemy in port: recognized the Cristobal Colon
and the 1nfanta Maria Teresa and two torpedo
| boats moored inside Moro. behind point. Doubt
less the others here. We short Of coal.
using every effort 10 get coal in. The vixen
! blew out manhOle gaSket: have sent bOnermaker
| on board to repair Golfers repaired; machinery
| being put together. Have about three thousand
| .,o1 IN, .f1lia rafn
board here If no engagement in next two or
| three days. SIMPSONS squadron could relieve
this one to coal AZ Gonaives or vicinity OF Por;-
au-Prnce Hasten me dispatch boats TO- picket
work. The Brooklyn the Iowa the Massachu-
setts the Texas. the Marblehead the Vixen and
| collier compose squadron here. SCHLEi.
Secretary Of the Navy to Schey. Received
| at cable Office Mole St Nicholas MAY - 1898
| Read by Sgsbec, May 90, and sealed under cover
for delivery to next visiting United states man
| of-war)
know positively whether the Spanish division
| Is in Santiago de cuba Harhor. as if SO. immc-
date movement against 1t and the town VIII
| he made by the Navy and division Of about
! 10000 men Of the American trOops which are
ready 10 embark You must surmount difficulty
regarding coaling by your ingenuity and per-
severance. This is crucial time. and the De-
partment relies upon you to give Information
quickly TO the presence of Cervcra; be ready
for concerted action with the Army. Two col
liers have been ordered to Mole Hayt- Your
| Vessels may coal singly there or in GonaiVes,
Hayti Channel leeward Cape Cruz. Cuba,
Sampson coming arou1 WndWard Passage.
Orders have been ISSUED to the commander Of
the Yankee to report TO you and the Mime
apolis will 20 North. Cervera must not be al
lowed TO escape. LONG.
(Secretary Of the Navy to Schlcy. Received at
the Mole May % 1S9S opened by c. d. Sigsbee
ard addressed 10 neXt visiting United States
nan-Of- war;
1t is your duty TO ascertain Immediately the
Spanish fleet if they be at Santiago de Cuba.
| and report. Would be disCreditable to the
Navy if that fact was not ascertained imme-
diately All naval and military movements de-
pend on that point. LONG
SAMPSON TAKES CHARGE.