The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-19
Expected to Find Cervera's Fleet, and
That Was His Principal
Errand There.
EXACTLY AS AT MANILA
Harbor Entrance, Though of Great Natural Strength
Practically Unguarded and Unfortified--Copy
of the Official Plan of Action.

boat Dauntless, Key West, Fla, May IS
The Dountless, dispatch boat of the Asso-
ciated Press, arrived here this morning
and brought the first detailed account Of
the bombardment of San Juan de Porto
Rico by portion Of the fleet under the
command Of Rear Admiral Sampson on
May r. last.
The American war ships sustained only
trivial and lost but one man killed. After
the engagement the north end of Moro
Castle was in ruins, the Cabras Island
fort was snenced and the San Carlos
battery was damaged.
No shots were aimed at the city and it
is not known whether any damage was
done there. SpaniardS at St. Thomas
claim that a school house was struck and
that the master and his pupils were killed,
but this is not thought likely, as the
bombardment took place early in the
morning and the school children were
probably not in the building at the time
The plan of the Notifications furnished
TO the feet was very misleading. It was
knokn that the Spanish Notifications had
recently been strengthened but other facts
developed which showed miscalculations
by those who drew the plans
The United States fleet left Key West
on May 3, to intercept and destroy" the
Spanish feet which had left the Cape
Verde islands. This was the only infor-
nation the United States navy depart
ment and Admiral Sampson had on the
subject
Our warships proceeded slowly eastward
ana on May 8 were off Cape Haytien. Re-
public Of Hayti. Attempts were made
there 10 obtain information regarding the
whereabouts Of the Spaniards. but no def
mite knowledge was obtained Early in
the morning Of May p Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS ships approached San Juan.
the American consul at Cape Haytien
having Informed the admiral that he had
heard report that thirteen Spanish shfns
had been seen heading for Porto Rico.
Inc city Of San Juan is situated in a
long narrow pocket. A tongue of high
land separates it from the ocean. The
entrance TO the harbor is easily defended
and the same can be said o fthe beadIands
OF the lofty Cabras island. which lies
IN the throat Of the passage. These pas
sages have been fortified by the Span-
ldrds but they did not prove dangerous TO
our warships. The town of San Juan is on
one side Of the bay and in the rear of
the town rise high hills. To reach the
city ships must pass the Moro Castle for
tifications and the battery Of San Carlos
situated on a promotory at the east en-
trance OF the harbOr. Besides, they must
pass the Canuelo battery, on Cabras
island
The attack on the forts was so MANNED
so that our warships could be in a no.
sition to meet the Spanish vessels should
they emerge from the harbop.
The following is the official plan of ac-
ton issued to the American fleet.
The squadron will pass near Salinas
POINT and then steer about east. to pass
just outside the reefs off Cabras islands
The colum is to be formed as follows.
The Iowa. flagship; Indiana. New York.
Amphltrite and Terror The Detroit IS IN
go ahead of the Iowa. distant 1000 Yards
The Wampatuck 10 keep on the Iowa's
starhoard bow, distant 500 yards. The
Detroit and Wamputuck to sound con-
stantly. after land is close and to i'm
mediately signal if ten fatoms or less is
''''Nf'A ms tL IlSll 4 red hight l
over the stern and at day time a red
flag aft
The Montgomery to remain in the rear
OF the column, stopping outside OF the
fire from MORO. and on the lookout for
torpedo boats and destroyers. II Fort
Canuelo fires she is to be silenced. The
Porter will take station under cover of
the Iowa on the portside The Niagara
to remain westward. off Salinas Point.
N7Ie approaching a sharp lookout Is
10 be kept on the coast between Salinas
Point and Cabras island for torpedo boat
destroyers- When near Cabras island one /
halt mile 10 one mile. the Detroit will
rapidly cross the mouth Of the harhor and (
be close under Morro to the westward 4
screened from the fire Of Morro's western
battery II the old guns on the north .
side of MORO fire, she is To silence tbor,
These two cruisers are TO keen on tba
lookout especially for Spanish tornedo
boat destroyers coming OUT Of the bsrho- /
The Porter. when the action heoips
viii cross the harbor mouth behind the
Iowa and close under the cliff to rre
eastward Of the Detroit and torpedo any.
Spanish cruiser trying to set out Of the
harbor, but she is not to attack DESTROY
ers
The Wampatuck will tow one Of her
boats with its mast shipped. flying 4 rcd
nag, and having boats anchor on hoard
the tug so arranged that she can ston the
boat and anchor at the same time. She
Is TO anchor the boat in about ten faf5-
oms. with Fort Canuelo and the vasterr,
END OF Cabras island in range.
There Will be two objects for a+tscr,
the batteries on the Moro Castle and
the men-or-war- II il is clear thar Sn,,-
ism vessels are lying in port. fire is IN h.
opened on them as soon as they are dis
oernible over Cabras. The motions If ia,
flagship viii be followed in this rer,rz
II II should become evident. however no.
neutral men-of-war are IN the line Of 6~a
q flag of truce Will prS:ably he semi ~
before the vessels are opeS-d. The Porter
is 10 hold herself in readiness for This
service.
Care must be taken from striking the
hospitals on Cabras island. II it becomes
necessary TO silence the Moro batteries
a portion Of the FIRE VIII be directed with
this object. But the principal object is To
destroy the ships.
After passing the mouth OF the hsrbor
the Iowa VIII turn a little TO starboard
toward the town and Will turn out with
a starboard helm and again passtopor;
and after passing Cabras island 70 the
westward she Will turn again with star
board helm and pass as at first. Should