The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-30

HI. Account OF the Action Of the Flying
Squadron Before Destruction OF Ger.
vera,s Fleet

Hl. Account OF the Action Of the F1yfns
Squadron Before Destruction Of Ger.
yera's Fleet
Baltimore Sum-
The navy department has made pub
lie a report from Admiral Schley cover
ing the movements of the Flying
Squadron under his command from the
time 1t sailed from Key West for Glen
fuegos, Cuba, but not including the
first b~ombardment of Santiago. The
admiral states that his squadron sail
ed for Cienfuegos in obedience to or
Gers from Admiral Sampson on Nay
18th, and on May 22nd passed the Ell
trance Of Cienfuegos harbor twice to
reconnoiter.
ION tina day." says Admiral Schley.
"the Dupont joined me with dispatches
from Admiral Sampson directing that
the blockade Of Cienfuegos be preserv-
ed and that the Scorpion be sens to
communicate with the Minneapolis and
Harvard off Santiago.
ION the 23rd instant the Hawk ar
rived with dispatches from Admiral
Sampson directing me to move east
ward with the squadron to Santiago
il satisfied that the enemy's vessels
were not in Cienfuegos. Not being sat
is1ed at this time that they were not
there, I held my position, being further
strengthened in my opinion by the fact
that I was informed by the captain
of the British steamer Adula that when
he left Kingston a c~ablegram had been
received on the Thursday preceding
my arrival off Cienfuegos stating that
the Spanish squadron had sailed from
Santiago.
CERVERA NOT AT CIENFUEGOS.
ON the oath instant the Marblehead
and Eagle were sent to communicate
with the insurgents to the westward Of
Cienfuegos and to furnish them with
ammunition, clothing and dynamite.
Upon Commander McCalla's return in
the course of the afternoon, he report
ed to me that he had obtained infor-
nation that the Spanish squadron was
not in Cienfuegos. Dispatches were at
once sent by the Dupont to Admiral
Sampson and to Commodore Remey
for the department., indicating that
this squadron would move toward San
tiago de Cuba"
Admiral Schley then describes the
voyage of his squadron to Santiago
and the rough weather which prevailed.
con arriving off Santiago" he contin-
ues, "the collier Merrimac was disabled
by the breaking Of her intermediate
pressure valve stem and the cracking
of the stuffiing OK. This served as a
further embarrassment to the squad
ron and a source Of considerable anx-
iety, as, with the weather conditions
that had prevailed since leaving Glen
fuegos, it appeared absolutely neees-
sary to abandon the position off Santa
go and seek a place where the vessels
could be coaled and the golfers ma
chinery repaired.
loft Sontiago the st. Paul, Yale and
Minneapolis were sighted and commun-
with. The Minneapolis reported
that she had only sufficient coal to
reach Key West and that her machin-
cry was in bad condition. The coal
of the other two scouts was al
so much reduced. Arrangements were
at once made whereby the Yale was to
tow the collier, and. as the prospect
did not seem favorable for replenishing
the meager coal supply of the other
vessels. the squadron stood to the
westward. towing the collier.
WENT TO SEA TO COAL.
"The operation of taking the collier
in tow proved to be quite difficult, ow-
to the size and weight of the two
ships and the repeated parting of the
lines. Finally, however, after
twenty-four hours unremitting exer-
tions the Golfers chain cable was co.
ten to the Yale and the squadron pro-
The st. Paul was ordered to
remain off Santiago until her coal sup
uly would no longer permit Of further
delay.
After standing to the westward for
about three hours, OR about twenty
five miles, the condition became less ia
and the squadron stopped. The
Texas and M~arblehead were sent along
side the collier, whose injury had been
temporarily repaired and coaled dur-
the night.
"Inasmuch as it was known that, in
case the Spanish squadron had reach
.EsSantiago, Admiral Sampson was
able to block any movement Of the en-
through the Bahama channel, my
intention in standing to the westward
was, should it become necessary, to bar
any effort of the enemy to reach Ha-
by a dash through the Yucatan
passage.
ION the oath instant continued coal
the Texas and Mafblehead, and
the Vixen. In the afternoon, hav-
managed to get sufficient coal into
these vessels to enable them to remain
with the squadron, shaped course for
Santiago, off which port We arrived
about dusk. The next morning, the
18th instant, steamed in to examine the
entrance to the harbor and sighted the
Colon, apparently moored,
head and stern, across the westward
channel around Cay Smith; also one
Of the vessels of the Vazcaya or Infanta
Maria Teresa class moored in the east
ern channel, and two small torpedo
boats. Later in the day made out the
tops of a third vessel farther
the harbor."
This Is Something New
Anoorioan manufacf1rarS will Cn0n he