The herald., 1898-05-22

Even a cursory glance at the maps
here reproduced of Havana Harbor and
Mobile Bay suffices to reveal the re-
markable geographical resemblance
in addition to this the map Of Mobile
Bay reprinted from one made during
the civil war shows that the fortifica-
lions Of the Confederates were very
similar to those of the Spanish about
Havana Harbor to-day.
Moro Castle with it's forts stands
like the Angel of the Flaming Sword
at the entrance to the harbor, just as
Fort Morgan commanded the entrance
to Mobile Bay; while upon the other
side the fort of La Punta frowns as did
Fort Gaines from the opposite shore.
In addition Mobile Bay was guarded
by rorpedoes much as Havana Harbor
is guarded today. All this gives an es-
pecial and present interest to the IA
nous bay fight, the most famous per-
haps IN the annals of our navy. For
history is ever repeating itself, and in
all probability the remarkable tactics
of Farragut in his capture of the City
Of Mobile will be repeated in the COM
ing capture of Havana. ft
POINTS OF RESEMBLANCE.
Commander M. r. Tobin, the presid-
ing officer of the Associated Veterans
of Farragut's Fleet" an organization
composed of survivors of men who
served under Farragut, has made a
careful study Of Havana Harbor and
its Notifications and defences. 1t is his
firm conviction that Farragut's plan
of attack will be repeated at Havana,
though new notifications may be made
to suit present exigencies and the diff
ferences that exist between the battle
ships of today and those of the Civil
War period
Commander Tobin is one of the seven
survivors of the original ships COM
pany of the u. S. S. Octorara, the his
toric ship that was selected together
with the Brooklyn to lead Farraguts
fleet of eighteen ships in the memoir
able battle of Mobile Bay Command
err Tobin was wounded in that battle,
consequently the encounter is indelibly
impressed upon his mind, for should
memory fail he has scars to quicken
1t.
Farraguts entrance into the bay was
accomplished under great difficulties.
Fort Morgan on the one side, one OF
the most powerful forts in the United
States, and Fort Gaines on the other,
guarded the entrance. Within the bay
was a fleet of four Confederate ships
headed by the principal ram Tennessee.
commanded by Admiral Buchanan, of
Merrimac fame, the man who burned
the Congress and sank the Cumberland
To reach this fleet the narrow, guarded
entrance had to be passed in which
were sunk numberless torpedoes-tor-
pedoes so thickly strewn that even a
slight deviation from the line mapped
out by Farragut meant instant de-
struction.
In the same way the entrance to
Havana Harbor is lined with torpedoes,
which are also concealed in the harbor
itself as was the case in Mobile Bay.
The Notifications defending the en-
trance as has been pointed out, are
very similarly placed to those of Mobile,
consequently it is natural inference
that the plans Of our most renowned
naval hero will influence the attack
that must soon be made upon Havana.
The battle of Mobile Bay is of course
a twice told tale in history. But his
torians are but rarely eye-witnesses of
the events Which they 1larrate, SO the
testimony of an actual participator of
an historical event often throws new
light upon 1t, and makes it present
reality to the minds eye in way i'm
possible to even the most brilliant pen
scratching over dusty archives.
From Commander Tobin's own notes
and observations I give a brief review
of that famous conflict, the like of
which is perhaps soon to be repeated at
Havana.
FARRAGUT'S FAMOUS ORDER.
Just here it is we'll to give the ia
nous order which Farragut issued on
July 18th, three weeks before the en-
gagement. He had been waiting for
the monitors and also to get wind and
tide in his favor a wind that would
blow the smoke into the faces of the
enemy.
General Order No. 10.
u. 8. Flag Ship Hartford, OF Mobile
Bay. July IL. 1864.
strip your vessel and prepare for the