The herald., 1898-12-12

lron t1e euSIWerU. WHeu ABOUT ilNe HllitS
away she would be discovered by the block
aiding vessels, searchlights would be thrown
toward her, and fire opened, care being
taken to fire wide and threw the lights in
front and on the sides, to show the splash
ol striking projectiles.
The Merrimac, upon discovery, would
bear in toward the shore to within about
two thousand yards, apparently to seek
the shelter of the batteries; she would
throw pitch on the fires to make heavy
black smoke, as if forcing to the utmost.
She would bend in toward the entrance and
turn full down the course for entering the
channel, blowing her whistle in blasts as Of
fright and distress. The searchlight would
fash across and show a Spanish flag at her
peak. On approaching the lights would be
thrown on the entrance to facilitate her nav
igation, but carefully avoid resting upon
her. The shore batteries opening on the
chasing vessels would be replied to and kept
diverted. If they opened on the Merrimac
searchlights would be thrown in the gun
ners' faces.
However, an examination of the chart
showed the difficulties OF navigation to be
so great that no sane captain would at
tempt to take in collier at night or under
circumstances that did not admit of the
utmost deliberation. 1t was known that
tugs were used by single screw vessels OF
any size on account of the turn in the chan
mel abreast of Estrella point. The chances
seemed to be against the enemy's being de-
ceived, and navigation depending upon
search lights would entail chances of fail
ure.
This plan and various other plans involv-
ing the cooperation of the fleet were dis
carded in favor of the simpler plan of going
in alone by moonlight. just before the
moon should set. Surprise, under any con-
dition, could be only partial at best, since
certain amount of light was absolutely
necessary for navigation. The condition for
surprise would be more favorable toward
daybreak. Moreover, hood-tde must be
chosen, SO that, in case of breaking the
anchor gear, the vessel would be set into
the channel and have ample time for sink
ing before the ebb could tend to throw
her out, while the chances of being carried
by the tide through the whole length of the
narrow channel into the inner harbor seem
ed improbable.
The establishment Of the port" or time
OF high tide, was about eight hours and a
quarter. so that the tide would be running
strong flood as the moon set. The moon
was then approaching full, and calculations
showed that it would set at Santiago about
$3.50 on Thursday, June .. We were speed
ing at about thirteen knots-the Oregon had
demonstrated her ability to maintain that
speed-and we would therefore arrive off
Santiago early Wednesday morning and
have most OF the day and night Wednes.
day for preparations. Thursday was there
fore set for entering, though the admiral
expressed the opinion that it would be found
impossible to complete the preparations in
time. The special advantage OF Thursday
was that there would be an interval of
darkness of about an hour and quarter be-
tween the time of the moonset and day
break, while on Friday this interval would
he reduced to about half an hour, and on
Saturday day would break before moonset.
It will be understood that an interval OF
darkness, though short, might be found
of advantage for completing the work or
for making escape.
Preparations were therefore begun at
once, the greatest amount of detail being
required for the process of sinlling.-Leu
tenant Richmond P. Hobson in the Decem
ber Century.