The Atlanta constitution., 1898-10-24
Navy Department Makes Public Portions
Of a Report by tho Admiral.
FULL OPERATIONS COVERED
Begins with Congregation Of the War
ships at Key West, Fla
TOUCHES ON THE SAN JUAN B0MBARDMENT
Document Indicates That Every Move
ment Made by the Vessels Was
Ordered by Sampson.

Washington, October 23.-The navy de-
partment has made public that portion or
Admiral Sampson'S report covering the
conduct of the fleet under his command in
its operations in che West Indies for about
two months prior to the destruction OF
Admiral Cervera's ships on July Sd. 1t is
made up largely Of official dispatches and
the movements Of the fleet, with eXplana-
tions and comments by the ADMIRAL.
The report is dated August Sd, on the
flagship New York. and begins with
statement of the determination reached by
the navy department to send n squadron
to the WiudWard passage for The purpose
of observation. because of information re-
ceiVed of the sailing April 10Th of Admiral
Cervera's squadron from the Cape Verde
islands. On the voyage eastward from the
naval base at Key West, which began May
4th, Admiral Sampson reports there was
experienced endless trouble and delay be-
cause of the inetticienCy of the two monitors
accompanying the other ships, and which
had to be taken in tow. Their coal supply
was small chat it was at once evident
that they must either frequently coal or be
toWed. The admiral says:
Had the sea been rough, or had the
enemy appeared at this juncture. the
squadron would have been in much better
position for an engagement had the mont
1orS been elsewhere. Subsequently, when
engaging the batteries of San Juan, 1t was
evident that their shooting was very bad.
Owing to the quick rolling of these vessels.
able to fire with any degree of accuracy"
Among the kilograms received by the
admiral from the department at Washing
ton when of Cape Haytien was the fol-
lowing:
"WashuEton, May G.-Do not risk or Grip
pie your vessels against fortiicatiOns as to
prevent from soon afterwards successfully
lighting Spanish fleet composed of Pelayo,
Y iDtlnntln 'TprsG4
Crist oil Colon, four deep-sea torpedo boats,
LONG"
Went Hunting Spanish Squadron.
On May Sth there was a consultation on
board the flagship, and the admiral says
that he decided to stand to the east
ward as far as San Juan, Porto Rico, on
the chance Of finding che Spanish squadron
in that port, where II they were not sue
cessful in destroying 1t, It could be at least
blockaded and held. The squadron arrived
off san Juan on the morning of the 12th,
ana the bombardment Of the place cnsrcd.
Regarding his action at this place the
admiral says:
"It was clear to my own mind that the
squadron would not have any great diff
Guilty in forcing the surrender of the port,
but the fact that we should be held several
days in completing arranEe Eements for hold
Ing it, that part of our force would have
10 be left to await the arrival Of the ships
60 garrison it; that the movements of the
Spanish squadron, our main objective. were
&till unknown; that the flying squadron
was Stil north, and not in position tC
render amy aid; that Havana, Cervera's
natural objective was thus open to entry
by such a force as his, while we were a
thousand miles distant, made our jmme-
diatc movement toward Havana Imperative
Il Thus reluctantly gave up the project
3gain@ san Juan and stood westward for
ii3Vdra."
Several kilograms are presented based on
tI.,t =. L.
turned TO Cadiz, and they had in view "tG
return and capture san Juan, the leisure to
do SO ANA occupy the place being assured
in the event Of Admiral Ceryera's failure
60 cross the Atlantic" Shortly after news
was received that the Spanish fleet had ap-
p"ared off Curacao. West Indies and the
squadron under orders from the department
proceeded TO Key West, to which place the
hyins squadron under Commodore Cnow
AdmIraD Schlcy had already been ordered
Schley's Squadron Sent Out.
Arrangements We're then hurriedly made
and tn" flying squadron, augmented by
the other vessels under Commodore SchIcy.
was sent off Cicnfuegos where it was be
Nevcd III" enemy would CO. in which case
an effort was 10 be made to engage and
capture them. Sampson was given the
cholce either Of the command of the
b!ockading squadron off Havana or at
ClenfuegoS, Schlcy in either case to re
main with his own squadron.
From messages received by the admiral
from the department about May 10Th It
appears that the reports had reached the
United States that the Spanish fleet was
at Santiago 50 the department advised
Sampson to send Immediately word to
SchIey to proceed to that place, leaving
one small vessel at Cicnfuegos
on May 2lst Instructions were written
by Sampson for Commodore Schley and
sent to him via the Marbiehead regarding
the possibility Of the Spanish fleet being
at Santiago. They are IN part as fol
lows;
United States Flagship New. York, First
Spanish squadron probably at Santiago de
Cuba-four ships and three torpedo boat
destroyers; II you are satisfied that they
patch, but cautiously, TO Santiago de
Cuba and IL the enemy Is there blockade
Inn in port. You viii probably find 1t
necessary to establish communication with
some of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or
others-to learn definitely that the ships
are in port, it being impossible to see into
The admiral said he felt much concerned
as to the delivery of these orders and
sent a duplicate by the Hawk with AN
additional memorandum. The admiral
suggested that if the information did not
reach Commodore Schley before daylight
Of May 23d to mask the real direction he
should take as much as possible. He
adds:
"FolIow the SPANISH squadron whichever
direction they take
Sampson Lays Plan of Battle.
The admiral off Havana gives copies Of
orders OF hattie which were to be fol-
lowed In the event that CerYera left
Santiago on the approach OF Scheys fleet
from CicnfucEos and attempted TO cruise
around the coast to Havana IN which case
the Havana squadron would attempt to