Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-02


the United States fleet off Santiago de
Cuba, May s6, via Port Antonio, ia
maica, June 2.-Four weeks after the
victory of Rear Admiral Dewey, at Ma
nila, Commodore Schley, in command OF
the flying squadron, had his shrewdness
and pertinacity rewarded by sighting
the Spanish feet in the harbor of San
tiago de Cuba.
For ten days he had, in the face OF
conflicting rumors and some cases OF
alleged verifcations, insisted the ships
of Spain were trying to make landing
ON the southern coast of Cuba. The
captain of the British steamer Adula,
who was interviewed at Cienfuegos, tes-
titled to seeing the Spanish fleet in the
the vicinity of Santiago, evidently
awaiting an opportunity to get in, and
Captain Sigsbee, of the st. Paul, related
how he captured Spanish coal vessel
going to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
Commodore Schley argued from these
two incidents that the tieeto of Spain was
waiting in some haven near Santiago
de Cuba until such time as visit, fruit
less. in results, should be made there by
the Americans, when, upon their de-
parture, tho Spanish fleet would run
into the harbor.
Commodore Schley determined to
make that visit, and Friday night ran
within six miles of the harbor. The st.
Paul was then sent back to keep out of
sight. with instructions to be ready, at
20-knot clip, to bring news to the com
modOre at any moment. From the
American ships the Spanish batteries
were in plain view, but no doubt under
preconcerted arrangement, forthey made
no attempts to fire, and the flying squad
ron, after circling around slowly,
steamed away in the direction of Key
West, as its coal supply was getting
short There was a collier with the
squadron, but there was no friendly har-
Dor with smooth water and there was
serious danger of smashing the collier
If an attempt was made to coal any of
the battleships at sea. The resourceful
and daring nature of Commodore Schley
showed forth, however, and at dark,
with an original rigging to protect the
ship, the Texas and Marbehead began
to cbal. They worked all night and by
daybreak had filled their bunkers. BY
noon Saturday the converted yacht
Vixen had also coaled, and at / o'clock,
not having heard from the st. Paul,
the warships moved again toward San
tiago de Cuba. Standing off the coast
about 16 miles, the squadron afterward
circled in front of MORO castle, but not
close enougff to- get viaw inside the
harbor, guarding careful again the pos
sibilities of u torpedo boat attack at
night as the squadron lay off the point
of land.
On Sunday morning the st. Paul
came along, but did not report any
knowledge of the Spanish fleets where
abouts. Consequently Commodore Schley
determined to find it himself, and with
the flagship in the lead started towards
the harbor. The Spanish troops at the
earthworks and batteries could be seen,
through glasses preparing in haste to
give the American ships as warm re-
ception as possible. When about five
miles from the batteries the lookouts re-
ported the masts of two ships. Lieu
tenant Sears and Ensign McCauley made
ont the first one to be the Cristobal
Colon. Two torpedo boats were also
made out, and second vessel of the
Vizcaya class was seen. All this time
Commodore Schley was upon the after
bridge of the Brooklyn making good use
of his binoculars. Arriving at the har-
Dor entrance, when the ships were
sighted from the deck, he turned his
eyes from the glasses long enough to
say: Il told you would find them.
They will be a long time getting home. :"
The order to man the port batteries
had been given and the men, stripped
to the waist, in temperature consider
ably over 100 degrees, awaited with
impatience the word to fire. But the
commodore decided not to waste ammil-
milton on the batteries, and the men
were disappointed for the time being.
However, there was much quiet jubila-
tion among the men over the prospects
of fight Commodore Schley showed
his eyenness of temperament by order
ing the Massachusetts to take coal from
the collier within view of the forts and
warships of Spain. On the Texas
Captain Phillips went through with the
days routine, including church services,
at which the men, with refreshing
directness Of suggestion sang "Pull for
the Shore"
1t was perfectly evident from the posi-
tion OF the Spanish warships on Sunday
morning, they had either just entered
the harbor, having learned of the sup
posed final departure Of the American
squadron, or had been In hiding up the
bay, which IL about nine miles long, and
had run down to get out early Sunday
morning. In any case 1t was excellent
proof Of the perfection OF Commodore
Schley's tactics. 1t will be suicidal to
attempt to force an entrance into the
place, at least until the batteries are
reduced, and that will consume lot oi
ammunition.
Sunday sunset found the squadron in
battle line opposite Santiago de Cuba
the Brooklyn on the east line, the Mas
sachusetts next to her, the Iowa west ot
the Massachusetts and next the Texas
which was on the extreme left, while thu
Marblehead and Vixen secuted In shore
To leave Santiago de Cuba the Spanish
ships would have to pass this seemingly
impregnable barrier.
Detailed Account Of the Attack.
Copyrighted by Associated Press-Ol
board the Associated Press dispatcl
boat Dandy, Port Antonio, Jamaica
June 1, a. m.-For an hour yesterda,
afternoon the Massachusetts,, Iowa, New
Orleans and Vixen, of Commodor
Schley's squadron, exchanged shots witt
the Spanish fleet under Admiral Ger
vera and with land batteries guardin,
the harbor Of Santiago de Cuba, behin
which the fleet Is hiding. The engage
ment was the first which occurred be
tween the two naval forces and was bu
prelude to more serious work the Ia,
ter part Of the week. No attempt wa
made BY the American commander I
bring on q general engagement, II bein
hic dnofvn m inoo IN thn hatkrris, 4