The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-18


and to Immediately signal II ten fanthoms
or less is obtained, showing at night q
red light 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 boat destroyers. If Fort Canuelo
| fires she is to silence it. The Porter will
take station under the cover of the Iowa.
on the port side. The Niagara to remain
westward off Salinas Point.
while approaching, sharp lookout is
to be kept on the coast. between Salinas
Point and Cabras Island for torpedo
boat destroyers. When near Cabras
Island, one half mile to one mile, the De-
troit willr apidly cross the mouth Of the
harbor and lie close under Morro % the
westward screened from the fire of
Morro's western battery. If the obi guns
on the north side of Morro are opened
she is to silence them. These two cruis-
ers are to keep on the lookout, especially
for Spanish torpedo boat destroye~s COM
ing out of the harbor.
THE Porter, when the action begins.
will cross the harbor mouth behind the
Iowa and get close under the cliff to the
eastward of the Detroit and torpedo any
Spanish cruiser trying to get out of the
harbor, but she is not to attack destroy
ers.
1.-THE Wampatuck will tow one of her
boats with its mast shipped, flying a red
flag, and having a boats anchor on board
the tug so arranged that she can stop the
boat and anchor at the same time. She is
to anchor the boat in about ten fathoms,
with Fort Canuelo and the western end of
Cabras Island in range
There will be two objects for attack.
The batteries upon MORO and the men-of-
war. If it Is clear that Spanish vessels
are lying in port, fire is to be opened
upon them so soon as they are dfscernible
over Cabras Island, the motions of. the
flagship being followed in this regard. II
is should become evident, however, chat
neutral men-of-war are in the line of ire
flag of truce will probably be sent In he
fore the vessels are opened. The Porter
is 20 hold herself in readiness foc this
service.
Care must be taken to avoid striking
the hospitals on Cabras Island If it be-
comes necessary to silence the MORO bet
teries, a portion of the fire will be di-
object is to destroy the ships.
After passing the harbor mouth the
Iowa will turn little to starboard to-
ward the town and viii lthen turn out
with a starboard helm and again pass to
port, and, after passing Cabras Island
to the Westwrd, she will turn again with
a starboard helm and pass as at first
Should this plan be changed and it be de-
cided to hold the ships in front of the en-
trance the signal stop" will be made at
the proper time.
1.-THE Indiana, New York and the moni-
tors will follow the motions of the flag
ship and remain in column.
1.-THE course, after Fort Canuelo Is
brought into range with the west end of
Cabras Island, will be east by south.
Should nightfall come with the port in
the ene4nyss hands and the ships inside,
the cruisers will take up positions jost
outside the harbor, the Montgomery ID
the eastward and the Detroit to the west
ward with their batteries ready and the
men at the guns. They will show no
lights.
s-The other ships, in succession, will
sweep the entrance of the harbor and the
channel leading into the anchorage with
searchlights to keep the. torpedo-boat de-
stroyers from coming out.
I'm case the enemy should attempt to
escape from the port, fire is to be con-
centrated on the leading ship. Should
the attempt be made at night the search
lights in use are to be turned on her
bridge and coming tower and are to be
held there.
The fleet assembled off San Juan de
Porto Rico about three o'clock on Thurs
day last, and prepared for battle, strip
ping the decks and getting the guns, am
munition and appliances for handling the
wounded ready.
Rear Admiral Sampson had transferred
his flag to the Iowa and the attack on the
forts began at 5,15, and lasted three
hours.
Although it was known at San Juan de
Porto Rico that the American fleet WAS
near, the Spaniards apparently kept No
lookout The soldiers in the forts ard the
people in the town were fast asleep when
our warships approached.
It was not yet broad daylight AMI the
coast of the island was eviled In unusual
haze range of broken hills came al
most down to the ocean, and. further lE-
land, making a sharp line against the SKY,
rose tail range OIL mountains. OvGrutdts
the sky was a deep blue, but nearer the
horizon were great masses of cotton look
ing clouds A ten knot ensterly breeze
was blowing and a long, heavy swell gave
a graceful motion to the sea.
The plans of the Admiral were thor
oughly carried out. The fleet steamed
majestically into the harbor and in due
course of time opened a tremedous fire
upon the fortifcations Three times the
warships made the circuit outlined in the.
official plan. The forts withstood the first
round but the Montgomery, from her
station, near Fort Canuelo, on Cabras
Island, wrought complete destruction.
With glasses the officers of the Mont
gomery could see the occupants of the
fort jumping over the walls and running
The Detroit. which went nearest to
the MORO, had to train her guns at
high angle. Her shots, directed at the.
north side of the Morro, cut deep fur
raws In tn face Of the Notifications.
The Iowa, leading the fleet, delivered
her dead missiles with great accuracy
upon Morro's nothern walls. The rest of
the fleet fired in order, first on MorrQ
and then on San Carlos, according to po-
sitior-
On the second round the Spanish guE-
stood by their guns bravely, keeping up
furious but aimless fire. From their
firm foundation and high elevation they
fleet, but the Spanish gunners seemed to
fire regardless of aim and as # only se-
sirous Of emptying their magazines.
From The Associated Press despatch
boat we could see the American shells
fall among the forts and among the troops
of the garrison, raising clouds of dust and
causing fires to break out.
-. 49, H. ~x4l i