The record-union., 1898-07-28
ORDER OF BATTLE.
Instructions Issued by Admiral
Sampson to Commanders.

Instructions Issued by Admiral
| Sampson to Commanders.
WASHINGTON, July 27.-Among the
papers included in Admiral SIMPSONS
report We're the order of battle, to be
followed in the event of an engagement,
and various regulations to be observed
in maintaining the blockade, as fol-
! lows:
United States flagship New York, off
! Santiago de Cuba, June 2, 1S9S.-The
fleet Of Santiago de Cuba will be organ
lied during the operations against that
port and the Spanish squadron as fol-
lows:
First squadron, under the personal
command of Commander-in-Ch Chief-New
York, Iowa. Oregon, New Orleans, May
flower, Porter
Second squadron, under command Of
| Commodore Schley-Brooklyn Massa-
chusetts, Texas, Marblehead, Vixen
Vessels joining subsequently will be-
assigned by the Commander-in-C Chief.
The vessels will blockade Santiago de
Cuba closely keeping about six miles
from the MORO in the daytime and
closing in at night, the lighter vessels
well in shore. The first squadron will
| blockade on the east side of the port,
and the second squadron on the west
side. If the enemy tries to escape the
ships must close and engage as soon
| as possible and endeavor to sink his
vessels or force him to run ashore in
the channel. 1t is not considered that
the shore batteries are of sufficient
power to do any material injury to
battleships.
coal on station. If withdrawn to coal
elsewhere, or for other duty, block
aiding vessels on either side will cover
the angle thus left vacant.
| Memorandum No. 15.-After careful
consideration Of the various schemes
of maintaining an effective blockade of
Santiago de Cuba at night which have
been advanced 1 have decided upon
the following, which will be maintained
until further orders:
| The weather permitting, three packet
launches, detailed from the ships of the
squadron each evening. will occupy po-
sitions one mile from the Morro one to
the eastward, one to the westward and
one at the harbor entrance. On circle
drawn within a radius Of two miles
from the Moro will be stationed three
vessels, the Vixen to the westward
|
shore; the Suwanee, south of Moro,
and the Dolphin to the eastward, be-
tween one-half mile and one mile from
the shore. The remaining vessels Will
retain the positions already occupied,
but they will take especial care to keep
within a four-mile circle.
All vessels may turn their engines
whenever desirable to keep in readiness
for immediate use, and while so doing
may turn in a small circle, but without
losing proper bearing or distance.
The signal for the enemy will be two
red lights fired in succession. If the
enemy is a torpedo boat these two
red lights will be followed by a green
light
/ would call attention to the absolute
necessity Of a close blockade of this
port, especially at night and in bad
weather, not more than four miles The
end to be attained justifies the risk of
torpedo attack, and that risk must be
taken.
The escape of the Spanish vessels at
this juncture would be serious blow
to our prestige and a speedy end of the
| war.
Attention is called to the provisional
| signals established by General Order
| No. g.
Memorandum No. 14-During the
dark hours Of the night searchlights
will be used as follows:
The Iowa, Oregon and Massachusetts
viii take turns Of two hours each
from dark to p. m, and from = p. m.
| TO ~ p. m, etc-in keeping one search
light directly on the harbor entrance,
maintaining carefully during that
/ time their hIocLxadiuor poc;tioor Cbo,1d
vessels light fail, the next in order
will at once take up the duty.
| The picket launch and Vidette sta
| toned south of the Moro will move
TO one side or the other sufficiently to
| get clear of the. beam of light.
The vessels on each flank-the Brook
/ lyn and Texas on the western side, and
| the New York and the New Orleans on
| the eastern side-will take two hours
In turn in using one searchlight from
time to time on the coast line, swinging
| 1t toward the MORO, but avoiding the
| illumination of the thanking videttes on
the inside line. The light should never
be turned off more than five minutes
at time. From time to time the hori-
zon will be swept.
Attention Is called to bad and care
less haudling of searchlghts. Last
night some of the lights were kept
high in the air and again were swept
| rapidly from side to side. Under such
circumstances a searchlight is worse
than useless. The beams must be di-
rected to the horizon, and must be
moved very steadily and slowly Not
less than three minutes should be en-
ployed in sweeping through an area of
ninety degrees. The best way to dis
cover a torpedo boat is by its smoke |
and even then this will not be seen un-
less the light is very we'll handled.
Memorandum No. II - The Com |
manding Officer-Sir: When on the |
blockade, vessels will, unless for some |
especial temporary reason for the con- |
trary, habitually head toward the land |
instead Of away from. it,
Memorandum No. 1S-Sir: While |
blockading the squadron the Spanish |
fleet in Santiago de Cuba vessels will |
hereafter maintain a blockading dis |