The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-26
Sampson and SchIey's Dest~uctiOn OF
Cervera's Spanish Squadron on
Santiago ON the Sd OF July.
HERoISM OF BLoCKHDERS
EXPLOITS OF GUNBOATs AND Aux
ILIARIEs IN CUBAN WATERS.
Daring Feat Performed I'm ManxaniliO
Harbor-Estimate of Appropria-
tions and Recommendations.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 25-The annual re-
port of the Hon. John d. Long, secretary OF
the navy, made public tonight is an inter-
esting review of the achievements of our
ships during the recent war with Spain.
At the beginning of his report the secretary
says, addressing the President:
"Sir-Snce my last annual report the navy
has. for the first time since its rehabilita-
tion been put to the supreme test Of war;
Years of patient, persistent training and
development had brought 1t to point OK
high efficiency, which resulted in the un-
paralleed victories at Manila and Santiago
victories which have given the names Of
our naval commanders worldwide fame.
and added an additional page 10 the gio-
rious naval history of our country. 1t is not
possible in the space of an annual report to
state in detail the operations of the navy
in the recent war, or do justice to the con-
spicuous gallantry of its officers and men,
Only a brief summary of the appendices
which accompany this report can be given"
Proceeding, the secretary says: Through
out the year 1897 the vessels on the North
Atlantic station were busily engaged in en-
forcing the observance of our neutrality
laws, and the department exercised all pos
sible vigilance and activity in that regard.
At the same time the condition of affairs in
Cuba and the consequences to the United
States and Spain made it evident that war
might come between them
ION jan "a the Maine was ordered to Ha-
vana Cuba. This was the first visit of
vessel of the United States navy to any port
in Cuba for several years, although the me-
cessity of protecting American interests
made the presence Of our flag In Cuban
ports desirable. On Feb. Is, at 9:40 .. m,
this noble battle ship was blown up in Ha-
vana harbor and 266 lives were lost The
news of this appalling catastrophe was COM
municated in the following dispatch from
the commanding officer:
Havana, Feb Is, 1898.
Maine blown UP in Havana harbor at
9:40 tonight and destroyed. Many wounded
and doubtless more KILLED. or 1Io drownep. .s,
Wounded and others on board Spanish man
of-war and Ward line steamer send lignt-
house tenders from Key West for crew ana
the few pieces of equipment above NO one
has clothing other than that upon him:
Public opinion should be suspended until
further report. All officials believed 70 De
saved. jenkins and Merritt not yet ac-
counted for Many Spanish officers, inciud-
ing representatives of General Blanco, now
with me 70 express S''iI'" .sIGsBEE.'
.@rhis 1udicious telegram did much to So
cure in the public mind dispassionate view
Of the disaster A board of inquiry. APP
pointed TO report to the department the
cause of the explosion, proceeded to Havana
and began it's investigation Feb 21- After
an exhaustive examination Of the wreck,
and after taking the testimony Of witnesses
and of experts, the board reported on the
21st of March the the Maine had been de-
stroyed by the explosion Of submarine
mine. but that it was unable to fix the re-
sponsibility upon any person or persons IL
was evident that the cause of the disaster
must have been from the outside"
READY FOR ANY EMERGENCY.
Secretary Long then notes the instructions
given United States naval officers In all
ports of the world, in view Of the expected
outbreak of hostilities On April 10, TOUR
weeks before Cervera's fleet reached Cuban
waters, the navy was ready for any emer-
gency The North Atlantic fleet at Key
West covered Cuba; the flying squadron at
Hampton Roads stood ready to defend our
own coast. or to threaten that Of Spain, and
the Asiatic squadron at Hong-kong only
awaited information of the outbreak OF
hostilities. on the 10Th Of March the Oregon
left San Francisco for Callao, Peru. The
department issued orders to the Marietta,
then at San Jose de Guatemala, to precede
her. in order to arrange for coal and to
facilitate in every way possible the passage
of this powerful vessel to reinforce the fleet
in the North Atlantic. From Callao she
proceeded to Valparaiso, then to Sandy
Point. Patagonia, and arrived at Rio Janeiro
on April 30, at which point the department
advised the commanding officer of the
declaration Of war and of the sailing or the
Spanish fleet from the Cape de Verde ISL
anes on April 20. She arrived off Jupiter
inlet. Florida, on the 24th day of May. in
good condition and ready for service, and
was ordered to Key West where after
coaling. she took her place with the block
aiding squadron and became part of the
command Of Admiral Sampson.
In the meantime a squadron for the patrol
of the Atlantic coast had been organized
on April q Congress declared war. Admiral
Sampson, in command Of the North Atlantic
aeet. which had been engaged during the
five or six preceding months in gunnery and
tactical practice off Florida, was at once or
dered to blockade that part of the northern
coast OF Cuba extending from Cardenas 10
Bahia Honda. At $50 a. m. on April Y the
admiral sailed on that errand.
ORDERS SENT TO DEWEY.
ION the 24th Of April" the secretary says.
the following telegram was sent by the
department TO Commodore Dewey, In COM
mand OF the Asiatic squadron:
washington, April a. 1885,
Dewey. Hong -Kong-War has COM
menced between the United States and
Spain. Proceed at once to the Philippine
islands Commence operations at once. par
ticularly against the Spanish fleet. Ion
must capture vessels or destroy. Use ut
most endeaVors
"On the 27th this squadron, composed of
the Olympia (fag), Baltimore. Raleigh. Pc
trel, Concord, Boston aud Mcculloch. sailed